The Punisher: Fight or Flight

“Seek and ye shall find.”

As you probably know, 'Fight or Flight' are the automatic stress responses that occur when faced with a potentially life-threatening situation. Here, most of the characters are forced to make this decision consciously as the danger, or their awareness of the danger, increases and their options narrow.

There was never a question which decision Frank would make. That die was cast the moment he realized predators had entered the bar and were after someone he deemed defenseless. Besides, Rachel is not wrong when she claims Frank was looking for an excuse to fight. His reasons for continuing to fight are a toss-up. Is it due to his realization they aren’t done with Rachel yet, his belief he’s now their target as well, or just his inability to pass up a good fight?

In contrast, Rachel’s go-to move is flight. Which makes sense since she’s up against multiple killers and is so obviously not one. However, despite my willingness to entertain the notion that Rachel is in over her head, she is far from innocent. Her attempts to play the poor defenseless bystander/ college student/ minor notwithstanding. It’s also pretty ballsy to mouth off to a man you just watched kill a bunch of highly trained assassins. I can understand wanting to get as far away from Frank as possible but I might not want to piss him off before I did.

The person I was most impressed with was Beth. She can’t flee and she’s not in any shape to defend herself or her family. Yet, she manages to fight back. She refuses to divulge Frank’s real identity even with her son’s safety on the line. The only downside is that the name she gave up is the one that can be traced. For her sake, I hope that’s the last we see of her. Otherwise, I don’t like her chances.

Madani is another person I worry about. Neither her obsession with Billy Russo, nor her drinking bode well for her career. This is a shame since she was finally promoted to Special Agent in Charge. I found this disappointing. It’s not surprising that her encounter with Russo is having some distinctly negative effects on her life but I was hoping for a little less realism and a little more bad assness. Is she justifying her twice daily visits with the belief he is faking his memory loss to stay out of prison or does she just want to dole out some measure of the pain he caused her? Regardless of whether she’s right about what Billy does or doesn’t remember, we know she is completely justified in her belief he’s still dangerous.

Then there’s Dr. Dumont. If anyone should know how dangerous Billy could be, it’s his psychologist. Yet when she loosed his bonds and turned her back on him I practically screamed at my TV. Seeing her sit across from him as if they were having tea rather than discussing his crimes filled me with dread. Her ability to remain calm in the face of Billy’s rage was impressive but I don’t have high hopes that Dr. Dumont makes it through this unscathed.

And what about Frank’s former “brother?” It’s obvious Billy’s memories are returning, albeit in a jigsaw fashion (does that even count as an Easter Egg?). And since he’s the mirror image to Frank, we know that flight is not going to be his first instinct. The only question I have is who he’ll go after first. My money is on Dr. Dumont. Her attempt to make him feel like a human again doesn’t strike me as the sort of thing he’d just forgive. Billy was scary enough when he had all his faculties. Billy with no sense of remorse is downright terrifying.

That leaves John Pilgrim, this season’s other Big Bad. Quiet, unassuming, not above threats or a little torture not with language, clothing and, a name reeking of religious overtones. Is there any doubt which side of the physiological fence he’ll come down on? I am curious to see how someone who detests profanity, technology, and apparently casual sex is not averse to hiring assassins, buying off the police, or committing murder. You want to talk about the wages of sin.

For two people who have never heard of each other let alone met, Frank and Mr. Pilgrim have sized each other up pretty well at least to the extent that they understand the danger each poses. Unfortunately for Frank, Pilgrim knows who he’s looking for while Frank is still groping around in the dark and Rachel is far more interested in saving her own skin than helping out the man who saved her life. Although that might change now that John Pilgrim has located them.

Another anxiety filled episode. Brilliantly done.

4 out of 5 Get-Well Cards

Parting Thoughts:

Is it just me or did Dr. Dumont walk with a limp? If so, it’s probably a character choice since the actress didn’t have a limp when she left Supergirl.

Billy is still vain enough to hide his face from his doctor.

Debbie The Motel Clerk may have no concept of customer service but she put a smile on my face every time she graced my screen.

I was absurdly happy that the Larkville doctor was allowed to drive away from the police station unharmed. I doubt the Sheriff will be that lucky.

The fact that John Pilgrim is or was married is going to be important. The camera has focused on his wedding band way too many times.

Quotes:

Rachel: "Fine, fine. Kill yourself just to prove a point. How very male of you."

Rachel: “Sun’s up. It’s tomorrow surely. Today, even.”
Debbie: “You check in before my night shift finishes, it’s not today. It’s yesterday, sun or no sun.”

Billy: “Gotta build the jigsaw.”

Madani: “That man is the best liar I’ve ever seen, and I deal with liars professionally.”
Dumont: “Whereas my job is to help my patients discover the truth and deal with it. Whatever that new reality might be.” (Good luck with that.)

Madani: “I’m getting exactly what I need. Don’t worry.”

Frank: “I kill the enemy before they get to me. That’s what I do.”
Rachel: "That’s real. That’s a really interesting philosophy. Yeah, real sustainable."
Frank: “Well, it works for me.”
Rachel: “Says the guy with the bullet hole in his keister.”

Dumont: “Frank was your friend?”
Billy: “My brother.”
Dumont: “Where is he now?”
Billy: “I don’t know. I can’t remember. Why? Does it matter?”

Madani: “Am I supposed to guess what I’ve done to disappoint you, Rafi? You’ve got that vaguely paternal, ‘about to deliver tough love’ look that I know so well.”

Rafi: “I wish Castle had finished the damn job.”

Doctor: “Maybe you should let the staties have this one, Roy.”
Sheriff: “This is our town.”
Doctor: “And they ain’t from it.” (You should have listened to her, Roy.)

Frank: “I didn’t murder anybody, Sheriff.”
Sheriff: “You telling me you didn’t do it?”
Frank: “They died from terminal stupidity.”

Shari loves sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, and anything with a cape.

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