KILLJOYS -- "Baby, Face Killer" Episode 406 -- Pictured:  (l-r) Luke Macfarlane as D'Avin, Jaeden Noel as Jaq "The Kid" -- (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)
KILLJOYS -- "Baby, Face Killer" Episode 406 -- Pictured: (l-r) Luke Macfarlane as D'Avin, Jaeden Noel as Jaq "The Kid" -- (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

Killjoys: A Dad, A Boy & Auntie Dutch – Review, EP. 406

It’s amazing the way thoughts, emotions and ideals can get jumbled and shaken when a child is thrown into the mix. Now, when that child is only a few days old, has the size of a 15-year-old, and possesses more than a little Hullen DNA running through him — well, things can go off the rails pretty quickly. And the rails came off a couple times in EP. 406 of Killjoys, “Baby, Face Killer.”

You could see some conflict burning within the Dutch-D’Avin-Child dynamic early on in the episode, but when push came to shove, and violence begat the potential for more violence, the daddy instinct within D’Avin really kicked in, didn’t it? I did not see him taking the boy and leaving coming at all. But that’s what we got when the path that Dutch was willing to walk became a little too hot for a newly-minted father to have his child embrace. And the young man has some skills, doesn’t he?

That was a tough moment all the way around, one that I’m sure D’Avin felt compelled to take given the child in his charge now. Still didn’t lessen the blow, did it? When he told his son (let’s go with Jaq, I never warmed to Osmond) to pack his bags, it was a heavy moment that was cemented when the young boy chose his name – Jaq. (cue heartstrings pulling). Wonder how Dutch and Johnny are going to respond to D’Avin’s exit in the next episode?

KILLJOYS — “Baby, Face Killer” Episode 406 — Pictured: (l-r) Luke Macfarlane as D’Avin, Aaron Ashmore as Joh, Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

You could sense something in the air almost from the moment Delle Seyah bid her offspring a cold and awkward farewell (“Physical contact is for the poor,” she says). Delle Seyah struggled with newfound emotions and parental imperatives that she had no way of grasping. Simply wasn’t within her to embrace the embrace. And from that moment on, there was a sense that the D’Avin train was pulling closer and closer to a real paternal ideal. While not a perfect human being, D’Avin has certainly endured life experiences, both good and bad, that have created some basic parameters for him in terms of parenting.

And we see those parameters come more and more into play as the episode moves forward until it simply is too much to take. Dutch is willing to do anything to get the information she seeks, including exposing Jaq to some of the horrors of war. D’Avin, as it turns out, simply wasn’t willing to let it go that far. In that moment, it became apparent to me that a split was occurring. Now, D’Avin leaving didn’t occur to me, but in retrospect, it made perfect sense.

As I said last week, I think we’re seeing some really fabulous work by Luke Macfarlane as D’Avin in this very interesting, confusing and potential-filled story arc. It’s interesting to watch Dutch and D’Avin diverge as their priorities start to separate.

Dutch is filled with the mission to stop The Lady, but D’Avin suddenly has a new mission — the raising of his son. And that pulls them apart at the seams…it seems. While we’re at it, full marks to the work of Jaeden Noel, who plays Jaq. He gives the character this kind of precocious, over-achieving, savant kind of vibe that’s equal parts innocence and destiny. I like the character.

KILLJOYS — “Baby, Face Killer” Episode 406 — Pictured: (l-r) Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch, Jaeden Noel as Jaq “The Kid” — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

In some ways, I felt this was one of the darker episodes of the show. Certainly the darkest of this season so far as trauma, struggle and potential disaster lurked around every corner. We’ve got Zeph desperate to get the spider out of Pip’s brain, Pree using himself as bait to be abducted and taken to the RAC, a guy called The Hunter who was the “protector” of someone or something that’s trying to kill Dutch, and a young boy trying to figure out who and what he is…with a mom who has left and a dad who isn’t sure he should be a dad. Maybe it was me, but there was a tenseness to this episode that was palpable and so many questions about what might come next.

As you well know, I’m a fan of the Zeph and Pip arc. A strange pairing (let’s call them “Zip” or perhaps “Peph?”) at first blush, but I can see the attraction and I certainly can see there’s more building between them than just copious amounts of “thinking.” These two care for each other in a heartfelt, though somewhat confusing way. There’s innocent confusion about what each next step should be — it’s charming.

Kelly McCormack does a great job of conveying her concern about Pip and his spider brain issue throughout the episode. The eyes tell the tale and her Zeph exudes genuine worry for Pip that goes beyond simply a scientific approach. Pip matters to her. And…she to him.

These two are building a relationship and that’s fun to see. It’s interesting how it’s forming under the duress of war, and these two are coming at it from very different angles, but the care is there and that’s fun to see develop. Atticus Mitchell does solid work here as the reality of the Pip situation hits him full on. I like his Pip, a man who isn’t afraid to be craven, but also demonstrates resolve at opportune moments. Well done, sir. (Of course, my Zeph crush is an ongoing thing….so you understand).

KILLJOYS — “Baby, Face Killer” Episode 406 — Pictured: Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

The added nugget that Zeph’s attempts to kill the spider have proven only semi successful, and that the spider is now part of his brain, and that they aren’t created to live long, puts more stress on the situation. Pip, it would seem, has little time to live if the spider dies. It’s that damn Medulla Oblongata issue. I don’t want this to end tragically, so I”m counting on Zeph to go full geek on this issue…and solve it.

For my money, any scene with Fancy Lee and Pree offering pain, unpleasantness and retribution is a scene I’m ready to watch. The little scheme they hatched with Turin to get Pree captured was good fun, particularly the lead up when they cracked their lead. There’s something warm and fuzzy about Pree holding a subject by the collars while Fancy contemplates all manner of havoc to be performed. The fact that was the same guy who shot Fancy just made the anticipation all the more delightful.

“And what that angry, scary man wants to do to you is sunshine and gods damn puppies compared to what I will do to you if you don’t tell me what the hells you did with my husband,” Pree tells his victim as Fancy looks on. It was poetry, my friends. It would seem to be a tough chore to “class” up a threat, but Pree does it with style, doesn’t he? He is the Cool-Whip on top of orange Jell-O. (Ooops, let a little of the inner me out.).

KILLJOYS — “Baby, Face Killer” Episode 406 — Pictured: Thom Allison as Pree — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

I’m sure there’s a plan there with Pree eventually taken by the Hullen and transported to the RAC, but at the moment I can’t see it. He’s obviously got that camera sending back intel and all that, but it feels like it would take quite a play to free not only Gared, but the kids. So, we’ll see.

I’m a little confused about the kids, though. Are the Hullen simply casting a wide net to see if they can find Jaq, or is there something a little more sinister at work here as it relates to The Lady? We saw the bloody body on Pree’s way through, but it was an adult body, not a child. We’ll see how that all plays out, I’m sure. Is there something in people’s plasma or blood that the Lady can use? Answers to come, no doubt.

Again, the pieces are coming into place for The Lady’s return. Hullen are active and searching (or creating?), we’re still trying to solve the mystery of the frozen green, and Dutch is desperately seeking answers to the story in her head. They’ve made some headway, and certainly got a clue or two from the Protector she defeated but never got a chance to torture for information.

That guy, and that mark on his neck (and Joe’s badge) are important in some way. You know it. I know it. All Pree’s children know it. But what? Curse you writers for your continued creative impulses that bring us back for more every….single….week.

KILLJOYS — “Baby, Face Killer” Episode 406 — Pictured: (l-r) Jaeden Noel as Jaq “The Kid”, Hannah John-Kamen as Dutch — (Photo by: Ian Watson/Killjoys IV Productions Limited/SYFY)

Sorry, the rant is over. I’m back.

Jumping back to Dutch and her single-mindedness. It’s kind of interesting that because she has first-hand experience with The Lady, she brings a bit more of a desperation, a moral imperative, to solving the situation about the story and eventually finding a way to fight back.

I don’t think the others quite bring the same level of understanding about The Lady’s potential devastation as Dutch does. She’s felt the power, seen the future, so her willingness to expose Jaq to something horrific makes a little more sense, even as it doesn’t to D’Avin.

Hannah John-Kamen does a marvelous job of giving us both Aneela and Dutch is such different angles, but her portrayal of Dutch in this episode was almost maniacal on some level. She’s starving for information because she’s the only one that knows the full might of what’s to come. While she’s getting help, she’s also somewhat alone because of that knowledge. It’s intense, it’s personal and it’s a bit savage. And I like that for this character.

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