Episode 7: Lotus Eater

Directed by: Paul Edwards

Written by: Joe Pokaski & Peter Calloway

This may not be the team up we have been anticipating from this series’ inception, but the fact it happens at all is satisfactory enough. And while the immediate stakes are a facade, it is a welcomed change of pace from the usual dirge.

Leading from last week’s episode, Tandy enlists the aid of Tyrone in helping free Mina’s dad Ivan Hess (portrayed by Tim Kang) from his coma with their powers. They soon enter a nightmarish hellscape derived from the night of the Roxxon oil rig disaster from the first episode, and we get some much-needed backstory as to what Roxxon may have been up to.

Ivan Hess is an appreciated third wheel to our titular dichotomous duo, as the Bill Murray of his own apocalyptic groundhogs day that lasts around thirty minutes at a time. But as the story progresses it shifts focus to Tandy, who carries a lot of emotional weight for much of the second half of this episode. Her riveting arc culminates in the examination of why many times it is hard to let go of the past, despite the many obvious dangers and encouragement from those around us to “move on”, and how our memories, for better or worse, can be a snare when not coupled with sober self-reflection and appreciation for the present things.

On the other hand, Tyrone’s detachment to the whole ordeal actually helps, with his focus and determination, and more so understanding of himself and Tandy is how he is able to break the spell; leading to a well-earned happy ending. The episode, however, closes on a tender moment shared between Tandy and Tyrone, as they realize that there really isn’t anyone else in the world you could fully understand or appreciate the other and what they go through and think.

Hands down, “Lotus Eater” is the best episode to date in terms of meeting the properties’ inherent expectations without compromising the kind of story Joe Pokaski (an executive producer and the writer of the first two episode) is trying to convey. Furthermore, it seems to have set a clear path forward for the rest of the season, as it closes off in just three more episodes.

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 video games. 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.