Dutch is simply determined to go down in a blaze of Aneela-killing, war-ending, daddy-issues solving glory, isn’t she?
And it looks like that may be the only way this thing gets put to rest after our Killjoys’ latest plan kind of goes sideways in Episode 309, “Reckoning Ball.” Personally, I loved the idea of implanting a memory into the green to lure Aneela to “the cube” where she would be vulnerable, but while it got off to a good start, it just didn’t quite work out thanks to our little Hullen psycho nut-job, Kitaan. In the end, I was glad D’Avin spaced her out the airlock. She had a Bela Lugosi quality to her that was off-putting. That and she didn’t seem to mind a knife stuck in her spinal column. (oooh is right, folks).
Have to note that I enjoyed the opening of this episode tremendously. Getting a little backstory on “Reckoning Day” and the 13 who went to Arkin when “the Devil came to the Quad,” was an interesting route to discovering how and why the Scarbacks came into being.
And that’s one thing I enjoy so much about Killjoys — while there’s the main story to stay focused on, it’s these other little side stories with historical arcs that give the show a quality and depth that creates a more dynamic viewing experience. Michelle Lovretta and her people are doing a great job of keeping the show on track while sprinkling in these fun little side trips that flesh things out. Well done, folks.
KILLJOYS — “Reckoning Ball” Episode 309 — Pictured: (l-r) Thom Allison as Pree, Gavin Fox as Gared — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Killjoys III Productions Limited/Syfy)
The real joy of this episode for me was the arrival of a very pregnant Delle Seyah Kendry to the RAC. What a pleasant and promising surprise her arrival offered us. Humorously pleasant, to boot. Oh, the spirited banter and barbs that flew between Delle Seyah, D’Avin and Johnny were a hoot. Sequestered away with Johnny at last to negotiate, the two taunted, teased and displayed a needling animosity. These two going at each other like that was marvelous.
As an aside that probably interests no one but me, I like the word “Parlay,” so it’s introduction into the proceedings was joyful on my end. Delle Seyah’s situation is an interesting one in that while she’s obviously doing the bidding of Aneela on the one hand, on the other you got a very real sense that she’s completely unsure of what she’s carrying inside her. Through the snarky comments and taunts, there was a real sense that she needed a little help to make sense of what’s happening to her.
Mayko Nguyen really tags the role of Delle Seyah. She plays her in a calm, easy, almost flippantly dislikable way – with just the right amount of royal privilege thrown in to make her unlikable even when you’re liking her. All of that is on display in this episode and it’s tasty good.
And while Johnny has obvious hatred for her, he’s not bereft of feelings or empathy. There was true relief when a scan revealed what appeared to be a normal child in Delle Seyah’s womb, though “normal” may not really be accurate down the road. And finding out the father is D’Avin offers a nice bit of potential humor moving forward. I can already see Johnny having a good time with some well-placed digs at his brother. “Baby names, D’av. You need to be thinking baby names.”
Loved the exchange with Zeph and Johnny when looking over the baby test results. Zeph turns to Johnny and says “Oooh, look at you being all bio-curious. Admit it, I’m rubbing off on you. I mean not in a sexual way, unless you want to…” Steady on, Zeph. In my interview with Kelly McCormack recently, she said that Zeph’s nerd mating skills had no game, and in that little sequence we see just how correct she was. It was awkward, hopeful, funny and even more awkward. Classic Zeph.
KILLJOYS — “Reckoning Ball” Episode 309 — Pictured: (l-r) Aaron Ashmore as John, Luke Macfarlane as D’Avin, Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys III Productions Limited/Syfy)
You can be fairly certain there’s more to Delle Seyah’s visit than simply a “hello, scan me,” or delivering ultimatums. No, something else is going on. But in the end, Kendry is there to deliver a message — “Give us Dutch. We’re still taking the Quad, we’d just like to do it without all the fighting and resisting and whatnot.”
It has been nice to see more of Alvis Akari the last half of the season and while he opens this episode by recounting the tale of the “13” to a young acolyte, he makes several appearances in regards to “Reckoning Day.” One of those is some time with Fancy Lee where he seeks to make amends, telling Fancy that “I’m here to say I’m sorry…for not being there when you needed it.”
It’s a good moment and one that I think Fancy needed as he continues to rebuild himself emotionally from the influence of the Hullen and the betrayal by Turin. I think most viewers are Fancy Lee fans and it’s nice to see him get some props and respect – first from D’Avin and now Alvis. I can see Fancy having a huge impact in the finale. Redemption for this “cleansed” soul is at hand?
KILLJOYS — “Reckoning Ball” Episode 309 — Pictured: Thom Allison as Pree — (Photo by: Steve Wilkie/Killjoys III Productions Limited/Syfy)
Sadly, Alvis doesn’t get out of this episode as Aneela plays the Dutch card and lays waste to him, and the other Monks, I’d wager. A slick bit of trickery by our evil despot. Another reminder that she’s not going to be easy to fool, trap or kill.
I was delighted to see Pippen return. His brand of nerdy whining and cowardly anti-hero is a nice little add-on to everything else. Hold it, did he and Zeph exchange a “look” at one point? Should we make something of that or was I just imagining it?
Good to see Pree and Gared sorting their relationship, and then Gared’s mom drinking like a sailor at the end of the bar before giving her blessing to their relationship. Lots of good, fun, interesting moments popped up in this thing and that made it fun even as the tension of war was building. By the way, golden pipes Pree. Way to sing that song. Thom Allison is sort of multi-dimensional, isn’t he? In the end, it feels like this episode was the deep breath before the plunge. The season finale should be pretty dynamic as most of these pieces start to come together in a focused effort.
An added bonus was being treated to a little Dutch vs. Kitaan (our Hullen nut job) action after the ship they were flying crash-landed. It was an action-packed fight that drew some blood, offered some snotty comments and more than a little sneering from Kitaan. Tara Spencer-Nairn takes the character of Kitaan and makes her an ominous, sinister, almost brooding malevolence in the scenes she’s in. There’s humor there, but it’s never for laughs, just as a reminder that the character has no regard for the “meat sacks” she so detests. Spencer-Nairn does a great job with this character. I’d go Hullen for her, I think. Hope we see her again even though she’s now floating through the cold recesses of space thanks to D’Avin.
In the end, though, Dutch once again has no choice but to seek out Aneela and kill her, which she knows will kill her also. Little does she know that Aneela is far closer than she suspects.
Follow Killjoys on these social media sites: Facebook and on Twitter @Killjoys.
Follow me on Twitter: @jbakeR2D2 and @threeifbyspace.
Like us on Facebook or Subscribe
Share this article using our Social Share buttons above
