Contributor: John Keegan
Written by Nina Fiore and John Herrera
Directed by Nick Copus
Since her introduction earlier in the season, Kat has been a bit sidelined, her work with Nina notwithstanding. This episode corrects that mistake, showing some of the nuances in her personal situation, and how her ability and its downside can be used against her best interests. It’s not at all surprising that she’s developed a bit of a complicated personality. This episode only seems to scratch the surface of how she might have been abused, and it’s enough to paint a disturbing picture.
The episode suggests that there is a bit more bleed-through of old memories than Kat might realize, and if her sessions with Nina and Rosen were to continue, who can say how much her memory might be repaired? On the other hand, it may be that the “tabula rasa” state is inherent to her ability to “record” new information so quickly. If her ability is better controlled, would it also be less powerful?
This insight into Kat’s personal tragedy is mated with yet another look at how Alphas can be exploited. Kat’s not the only one who has an issue with being someone’s plaything. It makes sense that Alphas of a certain kind would be abused by others, and it also indirectly addresses the point of Rosen being a champion for the Alphas. There may be a number of Alphas who don’t like the idea of Rosen hijacking some of their agency, but there are some Alphas that actually need someone to step in and help them, and in the absence of Alphas doing that for themselves, Rosen is stepping up to the plate.
This is juxtaposed with the heartbreaking subplot involving Dani. Rosen knows what she has been doing with Parish, and that she has to be stopped. The fact that Dani is struggling with her allegiances as well makes it that much harder to watch. She does an admirable job of healing the rift between Cam and his son, even if the scene itself was a bit cheesy, and it only serves to remind the audience of the potential about to be wasted.
It all culminates in Dani’s plea to be sent to Building 7, where she can be “chipped” and her memories stripped away, and the emotional pain that soaks the entire scene. Rosen’s regrets have never been particularly hidden, given how it has informed his decision to stand for the best interests of the Alphas, but none of that matters when it all comes down to failing his daughter. The question is how he intends to make amends, now that it’s also a question of Dani’s redemption as well.
Along the way, there is the subplot with Rachel, which actually left me a bit confused. I was under the impression that Rachel and John had moved into “lover” territory already, and that her issues with her abilities had been largely erased by her “power up” by Parish’s device. Certainly her confidence in the previous episode suggested as much. But here, she’s unsure again, and apparently faltering when it comes to her comfort level in getting close to John. I’m glad that they are giving Rachel a process to work through, but it does feel a bit out of place, especially compared to the rest of the episode.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Score: 8/10
