"Gather the Children"- Jusef Sardu
The strigoi are back! FX Network's horror drama, The Strain, returned Sunday night for its much anticipated second season premiere. I was extremely impressed with the overall quality and direction the show is taking. Season One of The Strain was a lot of fun to watch with only a few low points throughout, but I have a feeling (after viewing a few episodes) Season Two will be a much better story to continue this amazing and interesting epic.
Last year we witnessed the first season of The Strain, which 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.
One of the best parts of the episode was witnessing The Ancients that Setrakian had been taken to after he was kidnapped by Vaun (AKA last season's mistakenly named Quinlan). We learn quite a bit relating to the mythology of The Strain in these scenes. There are seven predominant and superior strigoi with The Master being the 'seventh' (and implied, the youngest). It is also implied The Master went his own way and that is why The Ancients are seeking it out. They want Setrakian to help locate The Master, however, Setrakian knows that just sunlight and silver is not enough to stop him; he knows they need more information. What he needs is the 'Occido Lumen' (The Fallen Light) - an ancient medieval manuscript he believes is the key to defeating The Master. Season Two, or at least most of it, I believe , will be largely based on our heroes obtaining this book.
In the cold open, we see an adolescent Abraham Setrakian listening to a scary story told at night by his grandmother, or 'bubba'. She tells him the origin story of The Master's current body once belonging to Jusef Sardu. We have heard that name a few times from Season One and now it makes more sense. In the source material, this story is told in the beginning of book one. We see Sardu, a man suffering from gigantism, walking the streets, gathering children to give candy. After he is consumed by The Master's 'soul' and is turned into him, he still seeks out children, that begin to go missing, presumably to feed on them.
The premiere was a great start to the second season. I have read quite a few reviews and comments about the episode Sunday night and many fans think it was not the best episode of the series. I honestly do not know how they arrived at that conclusion. The second season premiere showed a lot of promise for The Strain after what I thought was a 'good' first season. They reflected on the finale last summer while expanding on the mythology that will propel the stories into this season and, hopefully, seasons to come. It was a great episode and I am excited to see this season unfold and see what it has to offer. Especially with the promise of the 'real' Mr. Quinlan around the midpoint of the season, this second season of The Strain should be everything we had hoped, wanted it to be and more.
- Did you notice...When Setrakian is reminiscing about the failed attack against The Master we can see posters and advertisements showcasing Bolivar's performance his shows during the occultation, the celestial event that was a big part of Season One's storyline.
- In case anyone was wondering...Zack Goodweather, the son of Ephraim and Kelly, is played by a different child actor than in Season One. Season One 'Zack' was played by Ben Hyland while Season Two 'Zack' (and most likely future seasons) is played by Max Charles.
- Did you notice...The Master tells Eichorst to inform Bolivar to reclaim the 'loam'. 'Loam' is soil - soil from the coffin The Master uses as a resting place and probably needs it this time to convert his aging, broken and decaying body into a new one like we saw in the cold open when he took over the body of Jusef Sardu.
- When will Setrakian tell the other team members he met with The Ancients? Their lives could be in danger as a result of his alignment with them.
- Now that we know The Master is, at least, injured, will he seek out a new, younger, body?
- In the cold open it is written that the scene occurred in 1932. Young Abraham appeared to be about 10 or 11 years old. That would mean he is now, in our current storyline, 93 or 94 years old. How can a 94 year old man be able to fight and swing a sword the way he has been seen doing? Is there more he is not telling the team?
- What did you all think of the premiere episode?
Thank you for checking out my review! Please comment below so we can discuss the episode and the series some more. Don't forget to look out for my Advanced Preview of Episode Two later this week! Have a great week everyone!
Thanks for the recap! I had no idea that the opening ep would be expanded past the usual hour. I think this show continues to be interesting in its approach. I've read the books and noticed that the Season 1 opener seemed seriously stylish and atmospheric. But ever since that very first episode, the series seems to be adopting its style more from the comics. I would never have predicted that based upon the opener -- the show has taken on a tone that seems, at times, to have more in common with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" than actual Guillermo del Toro. But as I keep trying to get past that, it keeps offering up some pretty cool/creepy visuals (which is del Toro all the way). Certain key plot points seem to be headed exactly where the books went, but I've heard they're also planning a lot of new material for Season 2. So I'm looking forward to seeing where things go. Replacing the Zack character was intriguing, and has me betting they'll take things in a certain direction. Though so far, the kid just seems a bit more obnoxious. And letting Eph get sloshed was an interesting choice. Surprisingly enough, I personally found that it makes for a much more human/accessible character (and some much funnier lines). Best visual in this first Season 2 ep, for me, was a toss-up between the final scenes with Kelly's new "kids" and the worm vomit. I'd have to say worm vomit wins by a nose. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still wondering why they change the actor who played Zack. I liked him. Maybe they wanted more attitude? Well, I hated it.
ReplyDeleteLol, yeah a lot of fans don't enjoy the new Zack. I have seen a few more episodes and all I can say is - it's not getting any better.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI think that there a lot of TV Shows that are orders of magnitude better than movies. It's funny you mentioned that I wrote that because someone else said that is reserved for only movies. I left that it in because I think it's TV is just as great.
I would recommend listening when you can. It's a great story.
Thanks Kollin!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about the chaos outside and no sense of urgency. There are scenes where you would hardly think Manhattan was overrun with vampire monsters. I would love to see the world outside some more.
I think season one suffered form pacing as well. I'm pretty sure Season Two will be better from what I have read and seen. We get a great new character around midpoint and I believe a new story arc as well. That should help somewhat with the pacing of the series. At least for this season.
Hi! Great review. I liked this episode a lot and I hope they keep this level. The Ancients look very interesting and it's gonna be great seeing how the gang cooperates with them.I already feel the tension...
ReplyDeleteThe children are very creepy. I feel sorry for Eph (though I can't stand him) because he's going the one who will suffer the most with this and Kate.
I love your reviews of The Strain! Last season I couldn't wait to read your reviews and hear your opinion immediately after I finished each episode (I always watch the episodes via ITunes the following day that they air.) Will the character of Eph ever become more likable? He is such a jerk, it's hard to root for him! Also, I too heard things don't get much better with the new Zack replacement. The funny thing is he was actually funny and tolerable when he was on the show The Neighbors. maybe he should stick to those type of shows.
ReplyDeleteNo stupid act of the week it seems. I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteAnd The Master's origin was quite intriguing. It made me even more curious as to where the actual Master originated after having taken over host bodies for centuries.
Carlton Cuse said that the new actor offers a depth and range that can match the direction they were taking the character to.
ReplyDeleteBut based on first impressions (I didn't watcheThe Amazing Spider-Man movies), he's not fitting in as well as producers probably had hoped. The only thing missing is an announcer saying "The role of Zach Goodweather will now be played by Max Charles."
Origin story was super cool. The Ancient who transferred his power to Sardu - he died, right? So, in the present day, if the worms are forcefully expelled from his body, the Master could die, right?
ReplyDeleteI was a bit miffed that Abraham didn't share the details of his meeting
with the Ancients with the rest of the team. Why keep it from them?
The Ancients were interesting.
The new Zack is super annoying. I wanted to slap him.
Liked the banter between Eph and Dutch and Eph and Fet.
Drunk Eph is a good Eph whereas High Horse Eph is the worst Eph.
Kelly and her new brood of blind child vampires- very interested to see how this is going to play out.
Well, like I said, I think they changed just because the other actor was acting more like a "good son" and this one looks more rebel. Maybe they want a Carl Grimes. Anyway, I love Ben Hyland and I think he was great.
ReplyDeletethat made me luaugh because he's coming across to me as a less talented actor. And the writing for this character is cartoonish.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Ancient who transferred his powers to Sardu is gone. I suppose if the worms were forcefully expelled then The Master would die, but I'm not sure that is how they plan on killing him.
ReplyDeleteLOL I forgot about 'stupid act of the week'! We should reintroduce that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Susan! I appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that Eph becomes more likable soon. I really want to like his character more, but it's tough, especially with the new Zack not helping matters out at all, lol.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe Ancients were great to see on-screen. There story should be really interesting this season.
Good point. HIs lines are not that great and adding to his demeanor and likability it doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what happened to the lady who took off from the convenience store. But I don't feel bad at all to the stoopid taxi driver and the pair of grocery store thieves who got what they deserved.
ReplyDeleteI found it pretty slow, except for the flash-backs. Hate the doc. He pretty much ruins the whole show. He must be a buddy of one of the producers to be cast as the hero/jerk/creep. Kevin Durand should be the hero since he has charisma and is a sympathetic character. On top of this terrible doctor, they hired a bratty kid. Just what every show needs, a smart-ass kid that no one is allowed to smack. A whole bus - load they turn into mulch, but this kid, hands off. The doc and his brat may stop me from watching.
ReplyDeleteI loved the first episode of the strain. When they began in Armenia, showing how Setrakian came about learning the history of the "Master". I also began to realize that the man that worked assistance for Eldritch Palmer, owner of the StoneHeart group, is going to show up later in season 2. He's going to give Ephraim and the group Intel on the company and bring the whole group and the Master to their end. I'm also curious about the girl that was on the plane that was one of the four except Bolivar which is still alive. I wonder what role she's going to play.
ReplyDelete