The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Advanced Preview
12 Jul 2015
GN Reviews The StrainThe strigoi are back! FX Network's horror drama, The Strain, returns this Sunday night for its much anticipated second season premiere. It will continue the story of our beloved band of vampire hunters on the precipice of the city of New York's infestation and takeover. SpoilerTV was able to obtain the upcoming season's first episode, BK, N.Y., and I am extremely impressed with what I saw and the promise it holds for the remainder of the season.
The first season of The Strain was adapted from the first book in the trilogy (written by Chuck Hogan and famed director Guillermo Del Toro) very closely. There were minor adjustments, of course, but that is to be expected when converting to the big screen; minor characters were added, such as Dutch Velders, and some small story lines created to fill out the season. I was excited when I heard the trilogy of books were to be adapted into a television series as I am a huge fan of the story as well as the comic book version, which I noticed the show follows more closely.
This second season starts just a short time after the events that ended last season's enjoyable finale. Eph, Setrakian, Fet, Dutch and Nora find themselves a little lost after witnessing The Master escape and slip through their fingers in the final moments of the first season. They thought The Master would have been destroyed by sunlight, and when it wasn't, the confused team speculated that their must be something stronger at play and they will need more knowledge and information if they are to destroy The Master for good. This is what I believe the second season, and this first episode, will begin to answer.
One element that was missing from the first season, that I was highly looking forward to seeing adapted on the show, is the origin story of the body The Master now occupies - Jusef Sardu. The writers of the second season premiere, Carlton Cuse and Chuck Hogan, felt it better fit the opening of this season's premiere and they were right. That is a great story to start this second season with and something fans of the show and books will enjoy immensely. The episode also adds a few more characters to the story that were exciting to see brought to life from the pages of the trilogy. The hour overall was exceptional and I think fans of show will find it is a great way to start the season we have waited almost a year to watch.
Scenes To Notice
- One thing of note, in case any of you have not heard or read already, is that the strigoi from season one the writing team named 'Quinlan' have changed that character slightly. We will learn that characters real name in this first episode and, from what I have read in interviews with the writers of the show (Thank you Tonya!), the real Mr. Quinlan should appear around the midpoint of season two which is about the point he appears in the second book.
- There are at least two scenes in this episode that make this a true horror series. I would not recommend eating noodles of any kind while watching this episode...or tomato juice (I don't know who would be drinking tomato juice on a Sunday night while watching this show). You know what...just don't eat anything while watching this episode.
- There are some great action scenes in this episode to keep an eye out for between our band of hunters and the strigoi.
- What has Kelly been up to since we last saw her? We will soon find out about her upgraded role in the apocalypse. As well as everyone's favorite billionaire - Eldritch Palmer.
- We get some close-up shots of some of the strigoi that are pretty cool to witness. Especially since it's during their designated feeding time.
Taglin Game
My SpoilerTV friends like to include some game in their Advanced Previews of the shows they cover so I thought I would do the same. I will write five Taglines below. Out of the five I will choose one for my Review of the episode I will post after it airs. All of you can guess in the comment section which one I will use. The benefit to all of you is through the taglines you will get a little more understanding of what the episode is about...possibly. We can try this game out and if no one enjoys it I can come up with some other incredibly awesome idea for future Advanced Previews.
1. The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Review: "Gather The Children"
1. The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Review: "Clack, Clack, Clack"
1. The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Review: "Sardu"
1. The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Review: "Children Of The Night"
1. The Strain - BK, N.Y. - Review: "Oodles of Noodles"
Thank you for checking out my Advanced Preview of The Strain's second season premiere! I know I did not go into too much detail for this Preview, but I did not want to give too much away for the premiere. Subsequent Advanced Previews will have some more 'meat' in them, so to speak, I promise. If anyone has any questions about the episode I would be happy to answer them as long as it is not too spoilery. Just ask me in the comments section. If not, then I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys the second season premiere of The Strain on Sunday night!
Thanks for the preview Geo!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the preview - so ready for this and got it - no eating during show.
ReplyDeleteThanks George for the preview! I really liked the premiere. I haven't read the source material so I'm going into each episode blind, but It's one of the few summer shows I enjoy watching.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the continued use of flashbacks throughout the show. I have been wondering how The Master came to occupy that particular body since the show started, so I'm glad they included that in as early as the premiere.
You're welcome! Lol, yeah no eating...
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Robert!
ReplyDeleteYeah that flashback in the first scene looked exactly as I pictured it when reading the book. They did a great job with that.
Thanks for the preview! I'm looking forward to seeing the chapter. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteNo problem! My pleasure!
ReplyDeleteIt is really well done and from the looks of it the entire season will be great.
Thank you for the preview, Geo. I love watching this show
ReplyDeleteThanks for the preview. Will wait to see a few reviews first before watching this, the only good episode of Season 1 for me was Creatures of the Night which was a shame because the show had a hell of a lot of potential.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI think you will like this season a lot better. From what I have seen it is going to be great.
Great preview, I am looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI should probably watch the last episode because I forgot almost everything.
Just a question : what does BK means / stands for ?
It stands for 'Brooklyn' I believe...one of the five Burroughs of New York City.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it seems logical.
ReplyDeleteSounds great! Thanks for the preview.
ReplyDelete