Tag: Hulu

Y: The Last Man Season 1 Episode 7- My Mother Saw a Monkey Recap

~ Metacrone ~ 2 Comments

Episode 7 takes on a Walking Dead tone as Yorick, 355 and Allison start on their road trip for real, then immediately take a side trip to a newly formed, slightly sinister community. Jennifer receives a surprise visitor at the Pentagon. Captain Nguyen’s official report after her encounter with Yorick and friends at the church in episode 6 has unexpected ramifications for Kim and Marla.

Recap

The episode begins with a slice of life in No Men Land- Amp crawls past dead human and animal bodies. 355 (Ashley Romans) inhales gasoline out of a hose in an attempt to siphon gas from a truck’s tank for the gang’s recently acquired RV. And Allison (Diana Bang) uses a flashlight to examine Yorick’s (Ben Schnetzer) physical health while he worries about how badly they hurt 355’s feelings when they tried to ditch her in episode 6. Yorick wants to apologize to 355, but Allison isn’t sorry, since 355 lied to and endangered them before they tried to run out on her. Allison sees their choices as tough love.

When 355 brings her pilfered gas to the RV, Yorick over-praises the effort instead of apologizing. She stays stone-faced, but tells him and Allison they can ride in the back of the camper. Allison sarcastically tells Yorick that his “apology” worked.

They drive through a gorgeous pine forest and cross a river, passing a sign facing in the other direction which says “Notice: Do Not Stop For Hitchhikers.” Oops. That means there’s a prison in the area and hitchhikers are most likely escaped criminals. But prisons also make the best post-apocalyptic bunkers, so it’s only fitting that the show go there sooner rather than later.

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Y: The Last Man Season 1 Episodes 1-3: Review

~ Metacrone ~ 1 Comment

y-the-last-man

Y: The Last Man, based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Brian K Vaughan and Pia Guerra, has finally arrived on Hulu after years of back and forth in development. As is typical for Hulu, the first three episodes were released together as a block, serving as a super long pilot. The dystopian series, which ran for 60 issues that were published from 2002-2008, was written during the dark period post-9/11. It was a bit chilling to watch this show’s scenes of death and horror in the Pentagon and NYC streets just a few days after the 20th anniversary of that event.

In the Y: The Last Man universe, all of the male mammals in the world die, including human males, save one man and his male pet monkey. The women eventually refer to the day this happens as “The Event”, unable to bring themselves to give it a name any more specific than that, not even referring to it by the date, as with 9/11. It’s evocative of JK Rowling’s fictional supervillain from the Harry Potter universe, Voldemort, or He Who Must Not Be Named. Instead of Voldemort’s brutal, decades-long war, or the protracted, winding MCU lead up to Thanos’ snap, the on screen version of The Event takes place over the course of one day, leaving the characters to face their changed future as exhausted, suffering refugees from an irretrievable past.

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The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4 Episode 6: Vows Recap

~ Metacrone ~ 3 Comments
Handmaid's Tale S4Ep6 Flashback June & Luke1

Episode 6, Vows, follows the adventures of June and Moira, beginning moments after Moira found June wandering in post-bombing Chicago with a head injury at the end of episode 5. Moira’s vow that she won’t leave June behind again conflicts with June’s vow that she won’t leave Gilead without Hannah. Through flashbacks, we’re reminded of how close the friendship is between the two women. We also learn more about what June and Luke expected from each other going into their marriage, versus June’s current worry that he’ll blame her for losing Hannah.

Though June’s insecurities and trauma are at the forefront in this episode, the exploration of her relationships with Luke and Moira are also a reminder that she had an entire life before Gilead. She, and thus the audience, have been more and more consumed with the people and events in Gilead as time has gone on, putting the rest of her life and loved ones on the backburner, as Luke has noted. On the way to Canada, she begins to confront the issues in her life that she’s set aside for five years.

Parallels with episode 2:3, Baggage, the episode when June almost escaped Gilead in a plane, run throughout this episode. But now, June is no longer baggage that Mayday is reluctantly getting out because Nick called in favors. She’s the most important person in the world to Moira, who’s right there, taking risks with her, and that makes all the difference for both of them.

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The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 Episode 4: God Bless the Child Recap

~ Metacrone ~ 2 Comments

Handmaid's Tale S3Ep4 June & Natalie Square Off

Episode 4 brings the handmaids to a community baptism ceremony for all of the babies born recently, including Janine’s daughter, Angela. Nichole is notedly missing from the ceremony. Later, the handmaids are invited back to the Putnams for a reception, under the supervision of a still recovering Aunt Lydia. The baptism reminds June of her two children and her former life, while the party brings her back into contact with the Waterfords. In Toronto, Emily finally meets with her wife and son in person.

The episode continues this season’s exploration of identity, moving beyond the third episode’s focus on retaining one’s self, despite overwhelming pressure to submit to Gilead’s ideology. This week, the focus turns to Stockholm Syndrome, the psychological phenomenon that occurs when a hostage gives in to their captors’ world view out of exhaustion, despair and fear.

We saw the beginning of a sort of Stockholm Syndrome in June in episode 3, as she accepted that she couldn’t fight Gilead on its own terms and stay the same person she’d always been. Lawrence convinced her that she needed to get her hands dirty in order to be effective, and in this episode she mourns the person she used to be while beginning to explore new possibilities. She’s pulled in a few different directions.

How far is the new version of June willing to go to achieve her goals? Lawrence avidly watches her transformation. He may be helping her, but he’s also still a cat playing with mice.

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The Handmaid’s Tale Season 3 Episode 3: Useful Recap

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Previously on The Handmaid’s Tale- Hannah/Agnes: “Did you try to find me?” June: “I tried so hard.” Hannah/Agnes: “Why didn’t you try harder?”

This is what changed between June’s first escape attempt, when she was caught just as the plane was taking off, and her second, when she voluntarily sent Nichole to Canada with Emily. Her own child, who was also speaking for all of the little girls she’d leave behind, asked her to try harder. The H in Hannah is likely a nod to Holly, June’s mother, who is also invoked in this episode. June could hear Grandma Holly, the lifelong women’s rights activist, speaking through Hannah. She knew she had to listen to those words. They’ve become her inner mantra.

In this episode, June continues to search for ways to make a difference in Gilead. Lawrence continues to test June. Serena is bereft after the many self-inflicted changes in her life. All three reach tipping points which will affect their futures.

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Helstrom Season 1 Episode 9: Vessels Recap

~ Metacrone

Helstrom S1Ep9 Gabriella & Daimon Wake Up

In episode 9, the gang reunites to deal with some unusual circumstances. Basar’s demon mouth is still in Daimon, so he’s had a bit of a personality change. Ana, Louise and Victoria lock him up in Victoria’s old room while they work on a solution. Gabriella is held captive by Raum and Mother, with Mother is masquerading as Daimon. Chris and Derrick bond over painting a room blood red, but Keeper demon interrupts with an urgent message for Chris. Taker finally arrives in Portland and wants to whisk Louise away to Mexico. She’s busy coping with several demons and chemo.

There’s some knife play and sparks and an exorcism or two. Plus a fierce competition for cutest couple.

Recap

Gabriella wakes up half naked in a strange bed with Daimon. On the surface, it’s not the worst thing that could happen to her. Unfortunately, she doesn’t remember anything that’s happened since she got that terrible headache after kissing him. Thankfully, he’s not the type to roofie her before he got in the shower.

The really bad news is, they’re both suffering from demon possession hangovers and they were both demon raped last night.

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Helstrom Season 1 Episode 7: Scars Recap

~ Metacrone

Helstrom S1Ep6 Daimon & Louise in Office

In episode 7, Daimon and Ana deal with the realization that they sacrificed their mother to get rid of Spivey, but he wasn’t their father. As they fall into old patterns of blame and withdrawal, Ana returns to San Francisco with Chris, while Daimon sinks further into depression and isolation. Both Helstroms lash out at those closest to them. Gabriella, Chris and Louise try to talk them down. Taker is held hostage by the Blood, who blame him and the Helstroms for the attack on their hotel.

The Blood share Daimon’s talent for having terrible instincts.

Recap

Twenty years ago, Ana had just come back from her time on the run with her father. She sits in an observation room, fiddling with her butterfly bracelet, while Louise and Henry discuss her future as they watch her from behind a one-way mirror. Louise reports that a psychologist observed Ana exhibited “low affect, limited empathic response and sometimes a manner that’s just plain unnerving.”

Henry notes that what she’s been through would mess anyone up. Louise says that Daimon had night terrors for two months. She’s afraid that too much exposure to Ana would cause him to regress. And, Ana did something to one of the nurses that made her faint and feel like she was dying. Henry recognizes that Ana has a supernatural power. Louise sees it as evil.

Daimon must not have revealed his own evil powers to her yet.

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Helstrom Season 1 Episode 5: Committed Recap

~ Metacrone

Helstrom S1Ep5 Victoria Gets Committed

Now that we’ve explored the basics of the Helstrom universe, it’s time for Victoria’s episode! In episode 5, we go inside Mama Helstrom’s head. While we’re there, we meet the real Kthara and learn more about the Helstrom siblings childhood. Out in the real world, Ana and Daimon search for Chris and Keeper, with Taker refereeing the inevitable arguments. Gabriella begins counseling a new patient who’s recovering from possession, while Louise tries to keep Victoria’s physical condition stable.

Recap

In a flashback to 20 years ago, Victoria sits at a writing desk in the disheveled Helstrom family home, obsessively writing in her journal.

“Today’s the day. She’s coming back. I can feel it. Everything will be ready. But different from before. Not like last time. Nothing like last time. She’ll be safe now.”

In a giant scrawl, she’s written, “Kill Me” and “Get Out Of My Head”.

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Helstrom Season 1 Episode 4: Containment Recap

~ Metacrone

Helstrom S1Ep4 Ana & Daimon with Magoth

Episode 4 finds the dream team of Daimon, Ana, Henry, Louise and Gabriella assembling for a strategy meeting at Daimon’s house. Then Daimon and Ana go to San Francisco to pick up the Keeper skull, Henry and Gabriella get to know each other better and Louise learns some of Mother’s secrets.

Chris takes a walk in the park. And then in some underground tunnels. With his skull friend and a bottle of wine. It’s FINE.

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Helstrom Season 1 Episode 3: The One Who Got Away Recap

~ Metacrone

Helstrom S1Ep3 Daimon & Ana Question Mother

In episode 3, Victoria becomes more lucid than she’s been in years, which causes Daimon and Ana to work more closely together. With Gabriella’s help, they search for their father’s final victim, who they learn may have survived his attack. Taker and Louise spend some long overdue time together. Louise shares a secret with him that she hasn’t told anyone.

Recap

We begin with a pile of dead bodies in a college frat house. The thing that Spivey has become has been snacking. His final victim is begging to be spared, promising that his parents will pay a hefty ransom.

As if the demons couldn’t just possess his parents and take the money on their own.

When Spivey is done eating, he sits in a throne chair and waits as the lone survivor pushes his way out from under the pile. Once free, the newly possessed man says that Helstrom the Traitor has been warned that they’re coming. Spivey tells his minion that he wants a specific woman brought to him.

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