Episode 3: Stained Glass
Directed by: Peter Hoar
Written by: Ariella Blejer & Dawn Kamoche (story) / Peter Calloway (teleplay)
Three episodes in and to say that Cloak & Dagger is unorthodox in their interpretation of this superhero property remains an understatement. The majority of this episode takes place in a surreal dreamscape, which eventually solidifies the inexorable connection between our two protagonists. While it was inevitable that these two would meet and “team up”, it happens less naturally than could have been executed. This is no more exemplified by the fact our monochromatic duo aren’t fully sure why they need to work together or how their unique and complementary powers factor in.
Tyrone’s trek in “Stained Glass” is the more organic, focusing on his interactions with his very flirtatious classmate Evita Fusilier (played by Noelle Renee Bercy). Tandy’s side story is the weaker of the two, but has cliché detective Brigid O’Reilly (portrayed by Emma Lahana) acting as filler. Although both performances by Emma and Noelle are strong in their own right, they remain very peripheral to Cloak & Dagger’s personal converging arcs.
The ultimate problem with “Stained Glass” is that it remains nebulous as to why these two characters are destined to come together; other than to facilitate the elusive reconciliations in their own lives from their past traumas. It may be safe to say that anyone looking for something remotely resembling super-heroics – DC’s lighter, funnier tone or Marvel’s grittier and grounded variety – might as well resign. Up to this point there really is no grand scheme to think of, no looming maniacal entity to thwart, or crisis to avert, at least not yet. But I could be proven wrong as early as next week’s episode. Regardless, the success of this series for those intrigued by its very unconventional and intimate approach will be the quality of the chemistry between Aubrey and Olivia going forward, given that their interactions up to this point have been brief interludes.
Hailing from the eastern-most Caribbean island of Barbados, Fabian Wood has long since been fascinated by the power of storytelling to inspire and invoke emotions – whether in film, comics or videogames. No longer content to be just an avid comic book reader and videogamer, he’s eager to exercise his literary acumen as an aspiring writer and reviewer.
