Bitten - Trespass - Review : "Crossing Lines"

    Episode three of Bitten, “Trespass,” was written by Denis McGrath and directed by Andy Mikita. McGrath has also written for XIII: The Series, SGU Stargate Universe and The Border. McGrath has worked with Greg Bryk (Jeremy) before as Bryk starred in XIII: The Series. Mikita among his many credits has also directed Lost Girl, The Dark Corner, Primeval, and SGU Stargate Universe.

    This was another tightly written episode that moved the plot along and threw some interesting balls in the air. The episode really laid the groundwork to widen the universe of our characters.

    I really liked that the episode started off with Jeremy very sensibly not letting anyone move the body – it’s nice to see characters not acting stupidly just to advance the plot. There was a really nice, subtle moment in the confrontation with the townspeople over the dead boy’s body. Clay (Greyston Holt) goes toe to toe with one of the townspeople and is staring him straight in the eye – the way dogs challenge each other. As soon as Jeremy steps between them and catches Clay’s eyes, Clay drops his eyes in submission and backs away as Jeremy has instructed him to do. In a lighter moment, Clay also “stays” when Jeremy tells him to so that he can speak to Elena (Laura Vandervoort) alone.

    There is a real physicality in how the characters relate to each other, much as dogs would greet each other – though luckily no sniffing of each others’ hindquarters! I liked how Pete (Joel Keller) wouldn’t settle for a fist bump from Logan (Michael Xavier) but insisted on hugs from Logan and Nick (Steve Lund) when the three parted ways after the mutt was killed. Even though he says it jokingly, Philip (Paul Greene) really is a slave to Elena’s appetites as both her hunger and her passion are more insistent than an ordinary human’s.

    Elena struggles with controlling all of her appetites and blames being close to the pack, and Clay in particular, for bringing her close to losing control. However, we know that she almost changed in front of Philip because of denying her nature. It’s possible that being within the pack, and especially within the tight hierarchy of the pack, could actually provide her with more control. I thought it was a great scene when Clay told her to stop doubting his ability to control himself. Holt turns in a particularly good performance in this episode, and I found myself understanding and liking Clay better because of it. I didn’t buy Elena’s assertion that they don’t think clearly when they are around each other.

    Elena may abhor killing, but Clay killing the guy who was bitten at the club was very likely a mercy. Clay protects the pack with that killing, just as he was protecting the pack from the hunters in the first scene. The scene in which Clay kills the guy who’s been bitten is very nicely blocked and shot, with Elena quietly pleading with Clay not to do it while simply laying a hand gently on his back. In fact, the way Clay kills the guy in almost an embrace while he suffocates him is almost gentle and tinged with regret. It’s clear that Clay doesn’t relish the killing, he does it because it’s necessary.

    The mutt actually presents an interesting contrast to the members of the pack. When Elena corners him in the club, he is clearly enjoying his newfound abilities. He’s embraced his darker nature and enjoys killing for the sake of killing. Of course, wolves in the wild will kill just for sport – or possibly to hone their hunting skills. Elena is sickened by the mutt’s bloodlust, but it’s more than likely that the ban on killing humans has more to do with protecting themselves from being found out than a general abhorrence of killing.

    The mutt is taken care of though now that the environmental services have suspicious footprints and lots of DNA, he may still cause trouble for the pack if the investigation continues. There’s an interesting dynamic with Sheriff Morgan (Fiona Highet). She clearly respects Jeremy and appreciates that he keeps his people in check and that they are law abiding. But she’s also curious and aware that things may not be what they seem. I get the feeling she will likely be an ally going forward, however.

    Of more concern for the residents of Stonehaven is that the pack still doesn’t know who bit and turned the mutt. We get a bit more insight into the mutt/pack dynamic as we are introduced to Karl Marsten (Pascal Langdale) – a mutt with information for sale. Marsten agrees to find out who bit the mutt in return for “territory.” According to Marsten, one of the rules for mutts is that they have to keep moving and aren’t allowed to put down roots anywhere. I’m curious how this relates to Logan and Elena. Technically, are they still part of the pack if they are living alone in Toronto?    

    Their lives in Toronto take a decided turn for the more complicated while they are at Stonehaven. Philip and Rachel (Genelle Williams) have become very curious about their newly discovered extended family. It will be interesting to see how attached Logan is to Rachel. Will he simply break it off with her if she gets too inquisitive?

    We know that Elena is more than committed to Philip, but Philip’s mother, Olivia (Sherry Miller), would definitely like to see them break up. She plants the seed in Philip’s mind that he can’t trust Elena and the dinner party doesn’t really help to show him that she’s being entirely forthcoming about her family. The scene between Philip and Olivia is a nice contrast to the scene between Jeremy and Elena. Jeremy has reservations, according to Elena, about long term relationships with humans but for seemingly good reasons. He is, however, supportive of Elena, emphasizing that he trusts her and simply hopes she will not keep secrets from him, making it clear that she doesn’t need to.

    Philip also gets a new client, James William (James McGowan), who insists on meeting him under pretty suspicious circumstances. He tells Philip that his company is in trouble but he’s  found one of Estonia’s best kept secrets – the ‘Viljandy’ family’s  vodka. I’m told that the novel introduce other supernatural beings in this world. As soon as William mentioned the Balkans, I became suspicious – vampire? Another werewolf pack? Something else? Clearly his deal is just too good to be true.

    What did you think of the episode? I was devastated that they killed Pete, but it is the one sure thing to pull Elena back in to the pack. I also thought it pretty creepy that whoever did this also cut off or bit off his fingers. Theories on that? Were you sorry to see Pete go? Do you think William is up to no good? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!