Throughout this season the show has taken the Android on a complex journey of evolution. Last season we saw the very beginnings of that journey, but this season has really gotten into the deeper complexities of who she is as a being. We've seen her experience love, learn about who may have "made" her, and we've seen her embrace her humanity. Now, all of those things are used against her as a sinister plot threatens to destroy everything that has made her special.
The crew of the Raza are the closest of friends, in fact, they are essentially family, and they've proven time and time again that they'll go to the ends of the universe to protect each other. Their bonds and loyalties will be tested when they learn that this new threat to their lives comes from within. When a catastrophic problem arises within the Android, the crew is sent scrambling for answers and solutions before they run out of time. When the primary solution finally presents itself they will be left with some dire decisions to make that have the potential to permanently fracture some of the strongest bonds within the crew.
Two is strong than ever, after surviving her near death experience with a nifty new nanite upgrade, but that won't help her with the decisions she has to make. With the Android's life in her hands, she has to make some drastic choices that could carry with them long reaching consequences. To do nothing could mean the destruction of the Raza, but to do something could mean the loss of a dear friend. Even Two, who is normally decisive in her decisions, will struggle with what order to give. Her dilemma is made worse when she receives conflicting information from different sources. To choose wrong could prove deadly. When even Two can't decide what decision to make it's obvious things are dire.
While the crew decides what to do with the Android she is left to ponder her life and existence. The ending of the prior episode plays big into this part of her story. She is presented with two realities and she must decide which one she belongs in. If you thought Zoie Palmer's acting was phenomenal in
We Voted Not To Space You then be prepared to be even more impressed. In my opinion, this episode may even trump that one. There is one scene revolving around the Android that I'm fairly certain no one will expect to see. Palmer walks a much different emotional line in this episode then her prior foray into the Android's human side and it's quite extraordinary what she does.
As if Two didn't have enough issues to deal with, she has to deal with Five who is holding some ill feelings towards her for hiding her illness. They have a couple much-needed heart-to-hearts that I think will please fans. Five adores Two, but isn't afraid to call her out when she disagrees with her and there is a fair amount of disagreement going on in this episode. While it will be hard for some to see these two not agreeing, the tension was needed in order to provoke these two characters to spend some time dealing with their issues. Jodelle Ferland and Melissa O'Neil deliver powerful performances together as they guide Five and Two through the tense emotions running throughout this episode.
And, just to add to the fun, the original crew members are once again forced to face their pasts in a very unusual and potentially deadly way as hallucinations plague them. With their perception of reality scrambled at times, it becomes even more difficult for the crew to make the correct decisions to get them out of the crisis they find themselves in. With the lives of everyone on the line one character will gamble with their own life to give the others a chance at surviving this catastrophic event. By the end, one character will be forever and permanently changed as a direct result of the events of this episode.
It is possible that this episode may be my new favorite of the series. Last week came really close to taking that title, but this week is utterly perfect. I can't fault a single aspect of it. From the first frame to the last, this is an intense and flawless episode with powerful performances crafted around a perfect script. This extraordinary episode was written by Co-Creator/Executive Producer Paul Mullie and directed by Paul Day. Tune into this intense and astonishing episode on
Friday, September 2nd at 10/9C on Syfy in the US and Space Channel in Canada.
Here are a couple of quotes to tide you over:
"I have no desire to be fixed."
"You made her this way."
"There has to be a way to get her back."
"If we're gonna do it, guess we better just do it."
"Pull the core and save the ship! That's an order!"
Hit the comments with your hopes and expectations for this episode. What do you want to see happen? What do you think will happen?
About the Author - Aimee Hicks
Aimee works for a newspaper in North Carolina and has a BA in Broadcasting and Cinema. She has been a TV lover since before she really understood what TV was. She has a long list of shows that she loves to watch and can be found on twitter (@ahicks83) live tweeting about each new episode whenever she can. If the show is sci-fi, fantasy, comic book based, drama, or action the odds are good she watches it or has at least watched a few episodes of it. She also has a love for comedies 2 Broke Girls and Mom. She was the original creator and co-founder of LOST Video Island (lostvideo.net) which is still operating under the management of the very capable and skilled group she turned it over to.
You can email her at aimee@spoilertv.com.
