So this episode took a step back from tension to truly examine the dynamics on the island... I mean, I guess that's what I asked for when I talked about character development.
Don't get me wrong. This isn't a bad episode. It isn't even an episode lacking tension. It's just so different from what we've gotten up until now that it feels like a bit of a let down. There were also about a dozen small plot advancements and one bombshell that I'll leave until last.
First and probably most pressing is the developing relationship between Slightly and Morrow, or should I call them Aarush and Kumi? Morrow targeting a child is disturbing on one level as a form of grooming. But he also took it one step farther by threatening Slightly's family. It was all implied, but do I believe Morrow is capable of killing a defenseless woman whose only crime is losing a child? Well, right now yes, and that's the rub. We don't know enough about Morrow's moral compass and history to judge whether that woman was actually in danger.
Either way his goal is clear, to get a xenomorph smuggled out of the island and into his possession. Although the method for this was incredibly suspect and morally black – convincing poor Slightly to have a human interact with one of the facehugger eggs. Morrow knew what that would mean, but passed it off as just a temporary and survivable experience for whomever Slightly chose as an implantee.
Then there was the whole investigation by Kirsh into Slightly, the soft interrogation and then listening into that conversation between Morrow and Slightly. I don't know what Kirsh is doing, because it feels like he is keeping this information fairly close to the chest. Isn't he programmed to relay the betrayal to Boy Kavalier at least? Or is Kirsh more autonomous than that? If he is capable of that kind of deceit, then what are his true goals? Does he secretly work for Yutani?
I like that Tootles is starting to show how much he wants to grow and become more; his insistence on changing his name to Isaac was a smart move. It distances himself from the child persona and gives him an air of competence. Actually, Curly is somewhat similar, but hers seems to be focused on Boy Kavalier directly. Her desire to gain favoritism, though, is being outclassed by Wendy, again.
So Nibs has gone off the deep end, and it is fascinating to watch. Is it because she couldn't handle the trauma and this is a hysterical pregnancy? Did she have a psychotic break and is acting out of fear? Or is she starting to unravel like Ashe, as contradictions in her programming cause her to act erratically and ultimately violently? That moment where she jumped on top of Dame was terrifying, and I have to give a lot of credit to the actress for that top level performance. Crazy isn't easy to pull off.
Hermit is also in a strange situation. Having mostly recovered and rejoined his sister, he is then pulled aside by Atom (whose name I just caught on to in this episode, despite being a presence since the beginning), who gave him some choices. Quit and owe thousands by breaking the contract, forced to live in slums under a harsh NDA. Go back to the city and continue his contract. Or stay and monitor his sister for any signs she isn't actually his sister. In other words, he is kind of screwed under any of those circumstances. Of course with only one that would let him stay with Wendy, or Marcy as he calls her, he picks option three. How much do you wanna bet that it ends in melodrama?
So, I have no idea what the writers have planned for Wendy. She's the most defined character, she's had the most screen time, she is framed as our protagonist and has frequently displayed heroic tendencies. She is merciful when needed, selfless when required and despite being something other than human, has done everything to make sure her brother is safe. Yet here we discover she can just straight up make xenomorph sounds, has the unique ability to hear those sounds, and managed to bond with a newborn xenomorph, and I'm not entirely sure what that says about her. Is she our hero? Or is she the new queen?
Bits:
The scene with the sheep was utterly horrifying, and now the sheep is just creepy. Mr. Eye really is a terrifying new addition to this universe.
The primary tech working with Wendy, Arthur, is Dame Sylvia's husband. They also seem to be the most moral of the characters, and to be clear I am damning with faint praise.
The song at the end of the episode was Jane's Addiction: Ocean Size.
Quotes:
Arthur: "We took the minds of children and put them in synthetic bodies. That's not theoretical. I mean, if we do this wrong, best case we've got a bunch of AIs running around thinking that they're human. Worse case? We killed six kids."
Slightly: "Is this a test?"
Kirsh: "That's what being an adult is. A constant test."
Morrow: "How can you steal from a thief?"
Slightly: "Is this another riddle?"
Morrow: "A moral inquiry."
Hermit: "Did you really download my sister's consciousness into that body? Is it her?"
Atom: "Those are two different questions. One is practical and the other, well, that's the real existential crux, and, I should add, the difference between a trillion-dollar business and a blanket with sleeves."
(I own a snuggie, thank you very much!)
Boy Kavalier: "Should we let him stay, you think? The brother? Give him access to all this? You?"
Wendy: "Please. He's nice."
Boy Kavalier: "It's nice if you like brothers, which I don't. Or fathers or, ugh, mothers, you know. Always telling us what to do."
(Such a Peter Pan answer.)
This was another episode with a slower pace, focused on character. I am really not complaining about that, but I am feeling like the story has stalled somewhat. Of course this is probably just the lull before the storm.
3 out of 4 Possessed Sheep
Samantha M. Quinn spends most of her time in front of a computer typing away at one thing or another; when she has free time, she enjoys pretty much anything science fiction or fantasy-related.
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