Things are starting to get a tad interesting as we roll through episode 209 of “The Outpost” on The CW. Yes, yes, yes, there’s some mischief afoot as self-interest puts the outpost in several kinds of danger. But what else would we expect from a show that seems to turn new corners each week. Some I liked and some I was wholeheartedly against. But that’s personal preference, isn’t it?
But before we delve into Ep. 209, this is the point where I worn of SPOILERS ahead. Even Munt would know not to move forward if a SPOILER warning were issued. But, if that doesn’t bother you, please proceed and we’ll talk “There Will Be A Reckoning.”
Look, I’ve not really been in Zed’s corner from the outset. HIs penchant for spewing anti-human rhetoric is kind of a downer. I think he blames them for something I’m not entirely sure is their absolute doing. But that will be sussed out as we go. For now, he and Talon continue on their quest for the stone that completes the “key” that Zed says can free his people and help Talon’s queen.
The Outpost — “There Will Be A Reckoning” — Image Number: OUT209_0003b.jpg — Pictured: Reece Ritchie as Zed — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
Who’s buying that. Ah, Reece Ritchie, you have given Zed a nice coating of obstinate assistance wrapped in a tasty layer of lack of trustworthiness. I like it. And I dislike it. What really rankled my chaps in this episode was the closeness that Talon and Zed were developing. Such a closeness can be dangerous. And as we saw, that danger manifest itself in a good old-fashioned Blackblood boot-bumping episode. That’s right, the bitter wine of Talon’s loneliness was finally quenched by the musky, ash-infused, pointy-eared titillation that led to “the deed.”
Uggghh, I’m a bit disappointed in that whole thing. Oh, I get it. I really do. But still, Zed has proven less than honorable thus far and giving up the fruit so he can feast just seems like a poor decision. Of course, in the afterglow of their amorous exertions, some Prime Order soldiers show up and our new power couple dust off the lust leaves with some hand-to-hand combat, dispatching the outmatched soldiers in a variety of bloody ways. It was invigorating and I half-expected Zed and Talon to fall into the dirt again for a roll in the flora and fauna. Fortunately, we were sparred that little bit of mind candy.
Now, I’d be very worried about all of this if it were not for the nice little development that followed. To retrieve the amulet jewel, Talon took Zed to the home that the humans had made for her after her own family was killed by Dred. It was a soft and tender moment as she recalled how those humans showed her nothing but kindness. I think that kind of snapped her back out of her lusty funk a bit. It also helped that Zed offered some words that were less than encouraging or consoling about her humans. Zed’s classy that way.
The Outpost — “There Will Be A Reckoning” — Image Number: OUT209_0005b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Robyn Malcolm as The Mistress and Adam Johnson as Munt — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
Come on, Talon, your Blackblood spidey senses are telling you something and you should listen. Zed has a deeper and somewhat more sinister agenda than he’s showing. All his cards are not on the table and it’s time for you to fold or call his bluff. And no more of that lovemaking in the woods. It’s too potent a tonic to overcome. Anyway, they’ve got the completed “key” and while they aren’t sure what it all means or does, they are headed off to find out.
Meanwhile, the alliance with Milus falls apart. Gwynn’s horse ride getaway with naughty Garret has thrown all the plans into the proverbial chamber pot. Now, Milus has decided to besiege the outpost by surrounding it and starving it into submission. Along the way he offers Tobin some morsels of his former life in exchange for betraying the queen to Milus, who will make her a gift to The Three.
Ah, Milus, your true, self-centered and power-hungry nature shines through like a flashlight on randy teens in the backseat of their dad’s Dodge. In some ways, I have to admire your commitment to your own selfish cause, but in this case you’re screwing up the action, brother. For the record, Tobin turned down the offer. He and Gwynn did share some kissy face, so perhaps there’s still something to be salvaged there? We shall see.
However, on a good note, Milus has his army encamped close by as the siege commences, which offers The Mistress an opportunity to expand her business interests. Turns out there’s an associate of Elinor’s in the Milus camp and she takes that opportunity to market her calypsum to a captive audience. In short, she’s prepared to turn the Milus army into a honest-to-goodness horde of calypsum junkies. I can’t argue with The Mistresses business acumen. There she is, opening new markets, keeping the queen’s coffers filled with gold…while feathering her own nest in the process.
The Outpost — “There Will Be A Reckoning” — Image Number: OUT209_0006b.jpg — Pictured: Jessica Green as Talon — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
We have certainly learned that The Mistress is a savvy, intuitive, intelligent woman who swims in many streams – and even cesspools. She seems very natural as the queen’s counselor, dispensing sound advice and ideas. She even got rid of her sister for a brief spell (off with you to Tobin’s realm to keep things knitted together). Yes, we have gotten a full-on glimpse into the many talents of The Mistress and I have to say I’m pretty impressed.
Of course, getting the lion’s share of an army hooked on calypsum could have other potential down the road. Could we have a plagueling horde on our hands at some point? Mmmm, ponder that possibility, if you will.
And then there’s Garret. Poor, misunderstood, brain-washed junkie Garret. Still caged and bent on the queen’s destruction as ever. I love the exchanges between he and Janzo. Quick, funny and often cutting. Boy, Janzo doesn’t take crap from anyone, does he? In two seasons he’s evolved from the frightened and skittish kitten into a verbal and intellectual lion, not afraid to twist the verbal dagger early and often. I like this Janzo. This madcap, funny, insightful, zinger-delivering piece of plagueling-hunting workmanship. I mean, he calls Garret an idiot at one point and it’s marvelous.
Of course, the question of the potentially rogue guard is answered in this episode as he “comes on duty” and promptly tries to smother Janzo with a pillow. Where’s the chivalry in that? And in this moment, we get another fun look at Janzo’s development as he defends himself nicely, then jumps on the rogue guard’s back until help comes along and a potential Garret escape plot is denied. But don’t worry, he’ll be back. We get a lot of Garret action in small doses in this one.
The Outpost — “There Will Be A Reckoning” — Image Number: OUT209_0007b.jpg — Pictured: Aaron Fontaine as Tobin — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
He has a brief audience with the queen while in his cage, whereby he promptly tries to strangle her after lulling her into his confidence with kind and gentle words tinged with sorrow for his actions. I could almost hear the sinister voice of Thurl Ravenscroft singing in the background, “You really are a heel. You’re cuddly as a cactus. You’re charming as an eel, Mr. Garret.”
The ploy worked, Gwynn walked right to the bars and Garret grabbed a handful of throat. She was saved, of course, but we see the pure villainy in his bright, beautiful, malevolent eyes. Which makes what happened next so satisfying. In a later escape attempt, Janzo deduces that Garret was trying to reach his belt, which contains a vial of “the red.” Janzo takes a sniff and quickly deduces that “the sauce” is a main issue with Garret’s mind-change. And with that, Janzo begins the process of letting the detoxification wander in and start to cleanse Garret’s mind.
The red sauce has been a piece of the story I was waiting for someone to put together and I should have known Janzo would be up to the task. So, Garret is starting to dry out and hopefully will start to see clearly soon. Why? Because as you saw, our lad finally did make good on his escape and uttered the ominous words that he has one job left to finish. Queen Gwynn, the Grinchly Garret is on the loose and looking to finish you.
The Outpost — “There Will Be A Reckoning” — Image Number: OUT209_0002b.jpg — Pictured: Anand Desai-Barochia as Janzo — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
And I have to say I’m not impressed with the mental dexterity or the guards that seem to be incapable of not being seduced into doing something dumb. “Hey, I’m gonna call you names and I want you to fall for it and come right up to these bars so I can throttle you and get out.” “Okay, I’m coming.” Gwynn should probably look into the guard recruiting process and create a new program. Right now, the guard action in the outpost isn’t too impressive. Let’s hope that failing doesn’t end badly for the queen.
Feels as though things are about to break in any number of directions. Gertie is gone (for now) and has taken Munt with her (to spy for The Mistress), Talon and Zed have entered into a strange, new world of feelings (or lack thereof), Janzo is still as cool a cat as there is, Milus is being delightfully power-hungry, Tobin and the Queen are kind of in a strange limbo, and Garret is now on the loose with a sword and of who-knows-what mindset. Yes indeed, it feels like in the next episode or two some big things are going to go down and we’re going to get some clarity as to how this is all going to play out.
And hovering over it all is the knowledge that The Three’s army is likely on the way for a final and decisive showdown. Let’s hope Talon sees the light and kicks Zed to the curb, Tobin gets Milus’s army, and Garret gets enough detox going to start to see straight at last. When he does, boy will he feel bad. Let the self-loathing commence soon for Garret. He’s earned it.
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