Welcome back! I hope everyone enjoyed episode two as much as I did. I noted in my preview that this episode was the one that got me hooked into the show. In the pilot we laid the foundation for the story to come, with the episode eventually culminating into the reveal that Atrian blood and cyper has healing abilities as seen by Roman healing Julia. Also, Emery's dad killed Roman's father, the Atrian leader in a moment of confusion and panic. We also were treated to some romance too, but that's not important. Episode two slipped further in the ratings against much more intense competition, performing below what Hart Of Dixie usually does, and on par with Beauty and the Beast. The CW did release their finale dates, so they at least appear to be committed to airing all 13 filmed episodes in it's current slot, so we should enjoy it even if this is a one and done series.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
So what's been happening since we left off with all of that?
Well The Trags, an Atrian Rebel group have gotten restless and seek revenge for Nox's murder. They Stage an attack on the guard shack within the sector setting a few guards on fire.
Shortly after we get treated to what I call a trip to annoyance-ville, via Emery. Emery, watching a report on the attack, rants about how her father is not a murderer but how she also needs to talk to Roman, and be here for him. Julia then says she knows Emery wants to ease his pain and whatnot. (This is where I stopped and asked the TV if they have even talked longer than five minutes, because I mean, have they?) Julia reveals she doesn't remember what happened, just a blue light and an Angel. Emery, heads over and opens a box on the dresser that contains the cyper that healed her.
After class Emery chases down Roman and tries to get him to talk to her. Roman tells her he can't talk to her, and Emery tries to imply it was accident, she tells him she's sorry and we got this gem. Roman: Why, because my father is dead, or because your father killed him? Emery: Because you're in pain! (Like when did she become an expert in psychic empathy? These romance scenes kill me) She then asks can she thank him, for healing Julia.(Anyone else glad they aren't dragging that out?)He immediately denies her, says that Julia must have swiped it when they broke in, and he begs her to let it go. And then we get this wonderful chunk of awesome(Sarcasm). Roman: We're from two different worlds Emery, we can't keep pretending that doesn't matter. Emery: it only matters if we let it. Officer Beaumont then interrupts this what I am sure is supposed to be a rather intense moment.
At the board meeting, Emery's dad is announcing he will be taking a leave of Absence and Officer Beaumont will be stepping up in his place. My favorite shady lady, Gloria Valdez takes the mic, to stress to the board and audience how important this program is. She is interrupted by Mr. Vartan, a member of the Red-Hawks, who takes the floor to let out his conspiracy theories about Atrians who have their tattoos removed and are living in society as if they were human. Gloria, brushes it off, and then calls for a vote as to whether the Atrians can attend the homecoming carnival. Only she is in favor. Emery, outraged, speaks out in favor of trusting the Atrians and having them attend the carnival.
After School, Teri, the pool of endless information, clues Roman in to the fact that the Trags used the guard booth attack as distraction to steal weapons. Before she can explain further, Castor comes and lets Roman know the Elders wish to see him. The elders reveal to Roman they wish to follow Nox's plan to integrate, but the Trags are restless. They tell Roman he is next in line to lead the people, but being so young they feel it could be a burden, so they are going to appoint an interim leader, Castor. Roman reacts to this as you'd expect, claiming that Castor, is not the one who should be leading the people. So, the elders asks if not Castor, then who? Roman will, that's who. Castor thinks Roman is too young, Roman thinks Castor is still a Trag. Roman thinks that the Trags will respect him like they did his father. (And so the war for the throne begins)
Teri, the pool of endless information, reveals to Roman after some prodding that it's initiation night for the Trags, and I assume tells him where to find them. Roman sneaks up on them and accuses them of using his father's death to create an army. The Trag leader tells him they have weapons, weapons that could be his as long as he stands with them. Roman tells him he does, and the Trags chant something triumphant. (What a tricky slope the throne comes with)
My favorite shady lady Gloria, is having a discussion with the school principal and tells him that her employers in D.C. are anxious for this project to succeed, and that she's over ruling the board, the Atrian Seven will attend the carnival. After the announcement is made, BDH punches his locker and Natalie reveals to Emery that the reason he hates the Atrians so much is that they cost him his family restaurant. Emery asks Roman to consider coming to the carnival tonight. Roam sees right though her and tells her while she may think she was doing something nice, this is much bigger than she and him and riding around in circles on rides won't fix it.
While Roman tells his sister he has to see the Trags instead of going to the carnival, they are approached by Drake, who tells them if he could escape he'd go where some of their kind have been hiding since arrival day in Louisiana that's why he's going to the carnival to look for another way out of the sector. Roman goes and spies on a Trag meeting and learns of their current plan for retribution, killing Emery's dad and everyone he cares about, which includes Emery.
All things that we ordained festival, Turn from their office to black funeral;
Roman panicked runs to Castor with the information about the attack, and tasks Castor with stopping the Trags from mobilizing, as a way of proving he's changed. Meanwhile at the homecoming carnival Grayson gives Emery the nod, and the Atrians arrive at the carnival to a lukewarm reception. How cute was the little kid who walked up to Teri and gave her a bracelet. (From the mouth of babes, Ya'll) It looks like Luka and Sophia are hitting it off, and they exchange awkward banter about praying. (There was more chemistry between these two than ROMERY). Emery approaches Roman as he is stalking a would be assassin, and he tells her she may be in danger. Does she want to leave? No, she wants to stay at the carnival. As they trot off holding hands, Grayson sees her, and somehow thinks he still has a chance.
Emery takes Roman to Mammoth rock and asks him to lay his hand on it and leave his print because it's tradition, she tries to tell him they are the same in some ways(How many ways can these two palm each other? I'm intrigued). They are interrupted by Teri who tells Roman that Drake is missing, Roman runs off with her to find him(So we thought). Emery notices that BDH is on trash duty, and brings it up to Grayson who is confused. Roman, meanwhile is following the assassin(and not looking for Drake) in the hood and as the assassin starts to take aim at Emery, Roman tackles him, and its revealed to be Officer Beaumont (WHAT?!), Roman throws him into the fountain and we see that he has tattoos, he's an Atrian(WHAT? Whaaa?). So much for Mr. Vartan's conspiracy theories. Beaumont tells Roman he just wants to send a message and that they should keep to their own kind. When Roman calls him out on hypocrisy because he is living as human, Beaumont reveals he's one of many(?) Trags who lay in wait in the human world, building an army. Roman tells him to stay away from Emery, and Beaumont realizing he can't kill her without going through Roman and that would mean upsetting the elders, departs.
Emery and Grayson approach BDH and find that inside his trash bin lies Drake. When they try to set him free, Mr. Vartan shows up and declares they will be feeding Drake to an alligator(Because it's the south ya'll). When Emery asks him what's wrong with him. he turns on Emery like a wild coyote on the Easter bunny, calling her a race-traitor Bi***. Grayson grabs him and tells him security was right behind them as Emery starts to set Drake free, Vartan, displeased, makes a move towards her, and Grayson pulls out a knife. (He found his weakness, it's tiny knives!) Vartan calls BDH and his boys off and Emery frees Drake from his restraints. Drake is not so good with the gratitude.
Julia sees Roman following his encounter and tries to make convo with him but Roman is in a rush. She reaches out and grabs his arm to ask what happened and he pulls away, as he does she notices that her arm is now glowing blue, from where Roman healed her. Luka tells her she looks like she's seen a ghost, and she tells him not a ghost but maybe an Angel. Later at Nox's funeral several Atrians come to pay there last respects, even Castor. Roman asks Castor what happened last night, and Castor reveals that he had them remove their previous leader for time being. Roman tells Castor of what he learned form Beaumont and that he can't fully devote himself to protect the people, so he is naming Castor the leader. The position comes with stipulations, first, if he feels he is not looking out for the people, Roman will have him removed. Second, Roman asks Castor to convince the Trags to leave Emery alone. At school, Emery approaches Roman and he tells her things will be okay while remembering the warning to keep to his own kind, she then leaves with Grayson as Roman looks on. (So Star-Crossed Ya'll)
We end with some interesting reveals, Castor is now the one controlling Beaumont, and Castor's loyalty doesn't seem to lay with the Trags. He also seems to have his own reason for wanting to keep Romery apart. We also learn via Nox's corpse that cyper grows from dead Atrians(Ruh-ROH). Finally, after what appears to be a date with Emery, Grayson gets into a car with Mr. Vartan, revealing himself to be a Red-Hawk! (Because he couldn't just be a pretty face!)
Afterthoughts: This was a pretty solid second outing, it seemed to focus less on the romance and more on other aspects, which is always a plus for me. I have plenty of questions as to what these developments mean and wonder how big of role they will play going forward, so color me hooked. How does Teri get all her information? What are Castor's motives? What is Gloria's motive? How far will Grayson go to get revenge(I'm assuming for his brother)? Who will rise as the new Trag leader? Just how many Atrians crashed here, and how many of them are not in the Sector or dead? Will what Roman did have a side effect on Julia? How dangerous would it be if humans found out what cyper does and how to grow it? SO MANY QUESTIONS! I still stand by my statement that the romance is the weakest link for the show. If they keep heading in the direction they appear to be going, count me as a loyal viewer. I listed Officer Beaumont as my MVP in my preview and I'm not changing that, he gave us some important reveals for someone I just expected to be a minor character. Emery is still my LVP. I'm sorry, I'm not sorry. I find her just too Mary-Sue Ellen for my taste, she needs rehabbing quick. Julia is far more interesting with far less screen time.
My final grade is a B. I knocked it down because I'm just really annoyed by Emery. Upon rewatch I found her grating.
I turn it over to you. What did you think of the episode? What was your favorite reveal? Are you more hot or cold for the Star-Crossed lovers? To the Roswell fans, what did you think of Julia's glowing where Roman healed her? Are you on board with my theory that those two are the actual Star-Crossed lovers? Did you like the introduction of the two rebel groups? Do you think the carnival could have been a great jump off point for a more epic romance(THINK THE O.C.)? Which reveal do you think has the most potential?
Star-Crossed airs again, tonight at 8/7c on the CW. If you are live-Tweeting with the cast the hashtags are #StarCrossed, #StarGazers, #Romery.
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