Killjoys, “Enemy Khlyen,” was written by Emily Andras and directed by Paolo Barzman. Things definitely heat up in this episode with a number of questions being answered and more being asked. It would seem that we are definitely moving closer to that war the show’s been teasing. This was a fast-paced episode, and it’s good to have the team back together. With only one episode left in the season, I expect it’s going to be action-packed. I do wish that Syfy or Space would announce that this show is being renewed – it’s just so much better than Dark Matter!
As the episode opens, we see D’Avin (John Macfarlane) struggling to make it on his own in Westerley. He’s stuck pursuing low-level warrants and working for Pree (Thom Allison) for room and board. But, and it’s a big but, he hasn’t run away. Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen) shows up with a lame excuse to check on how he’s doing. Both are clearly still drawn to each other – though I’m still really not feeling the chemistry between them, it was better in this scene. John-Kamen, in particular, is continuing to be outstanding in the series, really bringing every facet of Dutch to life. D’Avin asks after John before Dutch awkwardly leaves. Macfarlane is very good in the scene as well as we see that even if he doesn’t ask for it, he’s still seeking forgiveness and redemption.
Back at the ship, John (Aaron Ashmore) has a surprise for Dutch. He’s recruited Carleen (Danka Scepanovic) to build a machine to allow Dutch to use the neural transmitter to track Khlyen (Rob Stewart). If the show has a weak link it’s in their props – the machine really just looked silly. However, it does allow Dutch to discover two important pieces of information – the plasma computer and the fact that Khlyen is at the RAC! I was immediately struck by the fact that the number 71 appears on the wall and in “A Glitch in the System” the Red 17 on the walls there. Are the nanites and black ops torture unit tied to Khlyen in some way? I love how the show has circled back to this very subtly. The final shot of Dutch in John’s arms for comfort was also a nice moment between the two characters.
Meanwhile on Westerley, Alvis (Morgan Kelly) brings D’Avin a book – The History of the Faith – for John, stating that during the Black Rain he detected some tendencies toward self-sacrifice in John. No kidding! One can only hope that D’Avin also sees that in his brother – who may need saving from himself. Alvis’ real purpose is to try to recruit D’Avin’s help. D’Avin refuses at first, not wanting to get dragged into the coming rebellion, but finally tells Alvis they can help each other when he decides to help the team get into the top floor of the RAC.
We have another flashback to Dutch’s childhood, and when she related it to John, she admits that it’s actually a nice memory of Khlyen. He trained her to be strong when she was getting picked on. In the flashback, he tells her she’s special and that her father sent him to protect her, which she admits to John he always did. They are hinting so strongly that he’s her father that I really hope he isn’t. However, the scene in which they are flying into the RAC is so reminiscent of the scene in Star Wars, that it really feels like Dutch is the Luke to Khlyen’s Darth Vader.
John is an excellent brother to Dutch as well, and he insists that she alone is responsible for the person she is. We learn definitively that the two met six years ago when John tried to steal Lucy. He told her then and offers again now, “We don’t have to stay here. We can just fly away and never look back.” It’s pretty clear that John has had at least as much an influence on who Dutch is as Khlyen ever had.
D’Avin shows up to help them get into the RAC, so Dutch can finally be free of Khlyen. There cover is that they are there to get a “divorce” – or dissolve their team. It’s always nice to see Patrick Garrow (Turin). I also like how it’s impossible to tell who the bad guys are! One minute they seem to be the force standing in the team’s way – or cattle-prodding D’Avin – and the next they seem to be the mortal enemy of their enemy. We learn through Turin that Dutch began as a level 5 – unheard of – and that she’s marked for Red 17!
Turin tells D’Avin he’s not the bad guy – but is he? Turin shoots Dutch because he thinks she’s in league with Khylen and Khylen stabs – and then drags off – Turin before rescuing Dutch. Is the RAC in league with the company? Is Khylen really a good guy? I was pretty bummed when it looked like Turin was dead because Garrow really hasn’t gotten to do much yet on the show – fingers crossed we see more of him!
I loved the team working together to get Dutch to Khylen. Loved how they got the syringe past security by using the titanium stitches – though I did wonder why we hadn’t seen them before and also thought that Dutch and John couldn’t have been sparring earlier with those in!
Loved Dutch finessing her way up to Khylen’s office and their sparring – both physical and verbal. I loved all the sleight of hand with the poison – from Dutch poisoning herself – proving how much Khlyen cares for her – to it all being a bluff and her fooling him. Khlyen tells her that they were going to make her a victim and he’s made her a weapon – I’m betting we’ll be learning more about that in the final episode. Khlyen reveals that it was Dutch taking a level 5 warrant – the one for D’Avin remember – that tipped him off that she was ready to kill again – and ready for whatever he’d trained her for. Maybe it wasn’t so random that they found the abandoned Red 17 ship… Again, I’m really enjoying how tightly woven this entire season has been!
John meanwhile is hacking the plasma computer – the effect for that is simple but really cool – as is the entire concept. John sets off an alarm that has them all racing back to the ship – loved how easily D’Avin got out of the cuffs when he needed to. Dutch has to stay behind to free Lucy, opening her up to being shot by Turin, but Khylen rescues her once again. He reminds her of the story he told her in the flashback – the story of the Wasp and the Bear – which I’m pretty sure they made up. The moral of the story, however, is that they end up saving each other. Khlyen gets Dutch off the RAC and back to Westerley.
Meanwhile on Westerley, Alvis ends up being arrested by Hills (Frank Moore) for drugs and gun running. This apparently breaks some deal the two had. I wonder if this doesn’t have something to do with Hills family now being 7th generation and therefore eligible for a farm on Leith? Maybe Hills is playing more nicely with the company to ensure his own future.
The final scene has the team holed up at Pree’s. D’Avin vows to repay Khlyen for everything he’s done to Dutch. Her response makes me simply adore this show – and this wonderful character! She tells him that she doesn’t need him to fight her battles – and so she doesn’t!
What did you think of the episode? Who's the bad guy - Turin or Khlyen? Are you excited for the finale? Do you want a second season as badly as I do? The good news is that it's just been announced that they will be having a
Killjoys panel at Fan Expo in Toronto on September 6th. That's a pretty positive sign for renewal. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
