This is one of those episodes that are incredibly hard to assign a grade.
The Cordell and Liam parts are outstanding. 15/10
For those worried about too explicit torture, director Austin Nichols took the effective path of implying a lot of it this week. And the implications were all well done. (So for my friends who told me they were sitting this one out, you can cringe a bit in sympathy, but safely uncover your eyes now.)
---
Jared Padalecki and Keegan Allen went above and beyond to convey both their bond as brothers, plus the increasingly dire straits in which the characters found themselves.
The entire build of this plot line was well done and had me cheering, especially that final scene of Cordell walking out of the exploding building's dust. (And that hug tho)
---
Another stand out scene was with Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) and Abeline (Molly Hagan.) Their different perspectives were defined enough that both were believable.
I tend to lean more toward Abeline's feels during this ordeal, but I loved seeing Bonham's stoicism came from faith.
These two actors are absolute pros and the two characters have become favorites for a reason.
---
Musical score excellent.
Stunts effective.
Humor lands (! Cassie!) and drama builds in the main story.
Casting deserves a fruit basket for the extra call back of getting Colin Ford on board (but also, the marines were all very believable and not "central casting" feels)
---
When I ended the episode cheering, why not a perfect ten then?
Minor story adds.
The Stella story line, for example.
Did we get scenes cut?
Because while she looks around quickly, there's no way any reasonable person would go out like this without more of an attempt to get real back up.
She's a Ranger's kid. She has a phone with personal contacts.
And failing that, wouldn't she at least get additional muscle from Colton? She was cozy with him last episode, taking him up to her room.
Stella is now a legal adult and she's acting less competent each season.
(Also, does she not have a bank account that she's just riffling through random cash in her room?
Two rancher's kids between them have emergency access to only two hundred dollars?)
---
Second, Geri.
I understand why the character would bring over some cookies and be concerned. But she's run away three times and broken Cordell's heart twice, the last immediately before episode one.
So even relying on years of past friendship that she's concerned (got it), her planting herself at the Walker home is a little too much for me right now.
I even felt it a little last week with the kitchen takeover to bake, but hand waved. Two weeks in a row though?
Again, let her be helpful. Let her feel guilty. Let her mend fences and keep somewhat in touch with the family at large with texts or helping the search party pass out fliers.
But please, writers, do not rush.
I think this and the Stella scene was plugged in to the ep to set up future stories. Problem is, the plug in was awkwardly done.
---
So unless I average the 15/10 with those issues, I have to knock a point off for the writers "knocking" me out of the moment.
Otherwise, outstanding episode and fabulous effort by everyone involved.
The Cordell and Liam parts are outstanding. 15/10
For those worried about too explicit torture, director Austin Nichols took the effective path of implying a lot of it this week. And the implications were all well done. (So for my friends who told me they were sitting this one out, you can cringe a bit in sympathy, but safely uncover your eyes now.)
---
Jared Padalecki and Keegan Allen went above and beyond to convey both their bond as brothers, plus the increasingly dire straits in which the characters found themselves.
The entire build of this plot line was well done and had me cheering, especially that final scene of Cordell walking out of the exploding building's dust. (And that hug tho)
---
Another stand out scene was with Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) and Abeline (Molly Hagan.) Their different perspectives were defined enough that both were believable.
I tend to lean more toward Abeline's feels during this ordeal, but I loved seeing Bonham's stoicism came from faith.
These two actors are absolute pros and the two characters have become favorites for a reason.
---
Musical score excellent.
Stunts effective.
Humor lands (! Cassie!) and drama builds in the main story.
Casting deserves a fruit basket for the extra call back of getting Colin Ford on board (but also, the marines were all very believable and not "central casting" feels)
---
When I ended the episode cheering, why not a perfect ten then?
Minor story adds.
The Stella story line, for example.
Did we get scenes cut?
Because while she looks around quickly, there's no way any reasonable person would go out like this without more of an attempt to get real back up.
She's a Ranger's kid. She has a phone with personal contacts.
And failing that, wouldn't she at least get additional muscle from Colton? She was cozy with him last episode, taking him up to her room.
Stella is now a legal adult and she's acting less competent each season.
(Also, does she not have a bank account that she's just riffling through random cash in her room?
Two rancher's kids between them have emergency access to only two hundred dollars?)
---
Second, Geri.
I understand why the character would bring over some cookies and be concerned. But she's run away three times and broken Cordell's heart twice, the last immediately before episode one.
So even relying on years of past friendship that she's concerned (got it), her planting herself at the Walker home is a little too much for me right now.
I even felt it a little last week with the kitchen takeover to bake, but hand waved. Two weeks in a row though?
Again, let her be helpful. Let her feel guilty. Let her mend fences and keep somewhat in touch with the family at large with texts or helping the search party pass out fliers.
But please, writers, do not rush.
I think this and the Stella scene was plugged in to the ep to set up future stories. Problem is, the plug in was awkwardly done.
---
So unless I average the 15/10 with those issues, I have to knock a point off for the writers "knocking" me out of the moment.
Otherwise, outstanding episode and fabulous effort by everyone involved.
