Well, well, well, there was certainly some relationship building going on in Episode 205 of “The Outpost” this week, wasn’t there? And perhaps, just perhaps, some unfortunate relationship ending, as we got an sad look at the new and “improved” Garret Spears in action. And it was action I don’t think any of us are thrilled with.
So, let’s delve into this episode of “The Outpost,” which was titled “The Blade of The Three.” And unfortunately, a good friend of ours appears to be the one to wield that blade for The Three. And I don’t like it. No sir, I don’t like it one darn bit. Curse you “The Outpost” writers and showrunners and producers and directors and best boy and so on.
But before we get into what went on and how I feel about it, this is the point where I stamp my feet smartly in the ground, snap off a salute and warn you all that SPOILERS are ahead. I say, don’t you see those SPOILER up ahead? Well, you should. There are SPOILERS coming so if you don’t want to be month-old milk, stop right here. If you’re okay with it, then by all means proceed and let’s talk about “The Outpost,” Episode 205.
I’m gonna hop to the end and examine what I felt was a gut-punch moment in this show. Perhaps one of the most gut-punchy thus far. For my money, it was right up there with Essa Khan skewering Garret…which is what got this barrel rolling down the hill in the first place. Turns out Garret is alive and “well” under the tender mercy of The Healer, who is conditioning him for service to The Three. What we suspected a week ago is apparently true as it looks like the conditioning (which features lip-to-lip exercises) also includes some drugging. As the pair were snogging in the open air hallway, Garret flashed to kissing Gwynn, which immediately raised a look of panic in the eyes of The Healer.
The Outpost — “The Blade of The Three” — Image Number: OUT205_0003bc.jpg — Pictured: Jake Stormoen as Garrett — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
She made it a point to insist that Garret take his “medicine,” which essentially confirms that she’s drugging our lovely captain for a purpose we find out later is to serve The Three. The darkness of this plot is manifest later when Wythers shows up in search of his boy. I love the dogged gruffness of Wythers, the hardened shell that hides a heart that feels for his son (and others), even though he doesn’t want people to know it. He tracked his boy to the stronghold of The Three and by various industrious means, finally confronted his son with plans to escape.
It’s here we see the conditioning’s true effect. Garret betrays his father, who later gets to meet the Tormentor (and a quick Dred moment), and then in front of The Three….and I can’t believe this occurred…gutted him to prove his loyalty. I guess Garret’s heart, soul and blood really do belong to The Three now — or at least as long as the drugs continue to permeate his system.
This was a shocker, to say the least. When Garret got stuck, there were indicators that he may not be through, but Wythers — this seemed pretty dang permanent. And I, along with the #TeamWythers throng, are a bit edgy at this development. We may storm The Outpost gates in protest – if we can all get a plane to Serbia. So, the “Save Wythers” movement is in the organizational stages.
At any rate, it appears that Garret has truly drunk of “the Kool-aid” thanks to The Healers’ potion. And in the end, The Three tasked him with going back to The Outpost where he’s to kill the Blackblood (Psst, there are more of them than you might imagine) and kidnap Queen Gwynn. A dirty business and one that should be interesting to see play out. Who gets the good captain back to reality? A kiss, a punch, a good old shock to the system? Let us all ponder the possibilities. Garret, we need you back, brother. Stop drinking that crap (and kissing that woman. Gwynn’s a better kisser, anyway).
On many levels, Episode 205 was about relationships. We saw Garret essentially end his relationship with his father; Janzo and Naya see some organic possibilities; Tobin failing with the queen again, but facing some growth; Talon and Zed finding common ground: and the sisters in a battle of power that would seem to have huge implications.
The Outpost — “The Blade of The Three” — Image Number: OUT205_0005b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Reece Ritchie as Zed and Jessica Green as Talon — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
So let’s talk the sisters. What looked like some interesting peripheral interplay between The Mistress and Gertie has turned into a full-fledged power struggle — with Gwynn on one side and Tobin on the other. Oooh, sounds incredibly delicious, doesn’t it. And it’s one thing I really like about “The Outpost” storytelling — the obvious course is rarely taken and characters we may not think have much to do with the main storyline are suddenly thrust into very important roles. I give you the sisters, my friends.
Robyn Malcolm has always been fun to watch as The Mistress and her desire to outdo her sister, to be seen as successful (and powerful), and she seizes an opportunity to put her sister in her place. Where Tobin’s drunken, lecherous wooing failed massively, The Mistress came at the queen with a real proposition — gold to open the mines and pay the soldiers in exchange for position at court. The Mistress as Royal Advisor? And in charge of the treasury? It’s too dang good, isn’t it?
And believe it or not, I think she’s perfect for Gwynn as she comes from a totally different perspective, one she no doubt will shock the queen with at times. However, it will likely be advice and perspective the queen will need in this dire time. Don’t be fooled, The Mistress has street smarts and a savvy business acumen. And to top it off, she gets to look down a tad at Gertie. For now.
We see that the sisters are both cunning in their own way, and I like that a lot. Makes it fun. While The Mistress is ascending to a seat next to the throne, Gertie is having an adult-to-child moment with Tobin. He’s packing to leave when she drops the hammer on him. Time to change his ways, she implores with a slap across his handsome (and likely drunk) face. She will coach him and he will approach Gwynn in a completely different, and honorable way. It’s a stark change and while it won’t be as much fun to see Tobin without his usual cadre of bad habits, the change will likely make him more formidable. Will he be the one to break the spell upon Garret? Could be.
The Outpost — “The Blade of The Three” — Image Number: OUT205_0004b.jpg — Pictured: Aaron Fontaine as Tobin — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
So, as The Three put its plans into place via Garret as assassin and kidnapper, the sisters are having their own battle within “The Outpost.” The Mistress (Eleanor, right? Is that correct?) as counselor to the queen and Gertie (by hook or by crook) determined to make Tobin a king. Ah, the game within the game. I love it. Should be some fun fireworks here and, I think, a chance for some goodness to shine through. Fortunately, we’ll have a familial feud mess first. And that’s always fun.
But we have other relationship issues going on as well. Janzo continues to pine away for Talon, but the lovely Naya has, perhaps, turned from teacher to willing co-lecturer in the classroom of romance. There was some kissing, some talking, some awkwardness and more than a little eyebrow raising fun going on. Janzo, you truly have some game, my friend. Tobin needs to study at your feet, sir.
Fortunately, Naya is a great source of personal reinforcement for Janzo and he, as we’ve noted, has grown in confidence quite a bit from when we first met him. This is a fun match, so we’ll see what this relationship offers down the road. I don’t know, brewmaster Janzo, perhaps it’s time to transfer off the Talon trail and take a trip with the Naya express. Just sayin’. My affection for brewmeister Janzo compels me to reiterate this idea of specialty brews with “The Outpost” ties. I’m an Oregonian, so craft brews are part of my landscape. The Outpost IPA just seems to sing to me. Limited brew run, some T-shirts, other trinkets sent to the fandom? What do you think? Think on it Dean Devlin.
And then there’s Talon and Zed. Talon defies the queen’s orders to send Vikka (Vicar? I can’t quite catch the name) and Zed back through the portal. The queen’s afraid of the demons – and Zed. But I’m with Talon on this one. At one point, Zed tells Talon that she has so much to learn, and he’s quite correct. Talon has the framework of what she’s supposed to do, but doesn’t have the infrastructures to make it work for her. Zed can help her.
The Outpost — “The Blade of The Three” — Image Number: OUT205_0001bc.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Imogen Waterhouse as Gwynn, Amita Suman as Naya, and Aaron Fontaine as Tobin — Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International — © 2019 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment.
Do I trust Zed? That’s a murky question, indeed. I’m definitely on the fence about this blackblood. Talon needs a “guide” through this power she possesses, so Zed could very well be that. However, sometimes when he talks, I get the feeling there’s more to the story behind the story that needs to be told. Is he hiding something? Undoubtedly. But what? And, he’s having a little fun tormenting Janzo a bit. Jealousy, thy countenance is an ugly one. Yes Janzo, you were being manipulated. Just go with it.
He did find a nice clue regarding the amulet she has…or had. Turns out it’s a key and Talon lies to Zed about having ever seen it. It is supposed to have great power. So, that’s a thing now and I wonder just how that will play out. Talon has a lot on her plate right now. She doesn’t like betraying the queen, she’s still got some hurt via the Garret death (wait till he shows up), some guilt about her clan’s possible betrayal of her people, the portal, the demons, the coming war…she’s a girl with plenty weighing her down.
Zed could be one to lighten her load, but in the end she’s going to be a big player in how this all works out. Right now, however, the path to how it will work out is blurry and fluid. Talon is strong, but she’ll need some help from some friends before this is over. And let me say this, I have really liked Jessica Green’s work this season. I’ll admit, in season 1 I was struggling with the character, but season 2 has really shown Green’s growth within the Talon skin. I’m all in now and think she has really found her rhythm as Talon.
I admit, she’s a bit mesmerizing in the role as season 2 has progressed. And she has a great voice. Is that weird to say? Well, it’s out there. I find it very pleasing, very enjoyable to listen to. I think that’s probably a good thing, but I’ll have to check with my therapist – or my mom.
But all is not despair. Fortunately, part of Tobin’s repentance for being a rascal and a rake was his pledge of himself and his men to the queen’s cause. And that’s good because “The Blade of The Three” is coming and if Garret can’t be turned back to the good, the queen will need some protection. Things are heating up as we head hurtle to the second half of the season. Oh, and there’s this…Free Dred, Free Dred, Free Dred.
Follow me on Twitter: @jbakeR2D2 and @threeifbyspace.
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