Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Michael Allen
Creator: Eric Kripke.
Director: Felix Alcala.
Writers: Eric Kripke and Anne Cofell Saunders.
Producers: Jon Favereau and J. J. Abrams.
Cast: Daniella Alonso, Tim Guinee, Maria Howell, David Lyons, Graham Rogers, Tracy Spiridakos, Zak Orth, Billy Burke, and Giancarlo Esposito.
It is surprising to come off the action packed Epis. 3 of "Revolution" and to transition into such a sombre tone in Epis. 4, "The Plague Dogs." However, viewers should note that both directors, writers and producers are changing with each episode. This change might give a clue as to why this series' tone is so different across episodes. "The Plague Dogs'" melancholy tone was brought about by the death of character Maggie (Anna Lise Phillips) and through a series of flashbacks involving Rachel (Elizabeth Mitchell). There was this recurring theme of loss or abandonment in this showing, which seemed to be the antithesis of the previous episode.
In this episode's story, the character Maggie had a whole backstory fleshed out. The loss of her children in England was a nice addition from the writers. This character began to show tenderness and determination. And, just when you thought it was safe to let your guard down, Maggie dies! She is accosted by a strange man living in a rundown amusement park. He severs her femoral artery and off to La La Land, Maggie goes. If that was not enough to pull at your heartstrings, Charlie (Tracy Spiridakos) relates the loss of her mother through a series of flashbacks. Rachel, her mother, left her children behind to rendezvous with the militia and with Miles (Billy Burke). Is a love triangle between Rachel, Miles and Ben (Tim Guinee) developing? Another Matheson, Danny (Graham Rogers), naively rescues his captive and Rachel is developing a time machine (not really).
There were a few developments in this episode, but Maggie's death seemed to be the focal point for the episode. It was a risky maneuver to remove a character of this calibre so early in the series. Although Maggie was a minor character, she was played strongly by Anna Lise Phillips. She was also one of the few characters who knew how to take care of herself in the wasteland. Do you remember the whiskey incident in the Pilot? Maggie's death came as a bit of a shock to this watcher and fans might be wondering: "who's next?"
It seems like the past two episodes ("No Quarter" and "The Plague Dogs") are following a similar pattern. Charlie, her Uncle Miles, Nora (Daniella Alonso) and others continue to follow Danny to the militia hideout, but something, or someone gets in the way. In the previous episode, Jeremy (Mark Pellegrino) kept the group predisposed at a rebel camp. Rescue seems like a daunting undertaking. In this episode, a crazed man kept the characters bogged down for the episode's fourty-two minutes. What will stop Charlie from reuniting with her brother in Epis. 5, "Soul Train?"
This television fan knows something will come up, but this watcher will return next week to watch the latest. And, fans of action styled outings might want to skip the episode reviewed here in favour of "No Quarter," which was a more energetic showing. This episode, "The Plague Dogs" was truly melancholy in tone and atmosphere. There was a lot of crying and a great deal of lamentations all around. Characters are showing depth, while the story moves ahead ever so slowly. Still, this is a show that still manages to pack a lot of punch in just 40 minutes each week. This latest punch just impacted in the gut with Maggie's loss.
Overall: 7 out of 10 (a bit of a slow down here, Maggie's character was built up only to be destroyed, another cliffhanger ending?).
Another review of this episode is here (Lauren Heimbaugh):
"The Plague Dogs" Reviewed at Cinema Blend
| |
Advertise Here - Contact me Michael Allen at 28DLA
Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription
Posted in: 2012,post apocalyptic,revolution,sci-fi,science fiction,television,television review,television series
0 comments:
Post a Comment