The Strain Season 1 Finale Episode # 13 "The Master" - Recap and Review

This post discusses the episode in detail. Readers yet to watch the episode are recommended to skip it, if they wish to avoid spoilers.

Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde) and Mr Fitzwilliam (Roger R. Cross) visit Abraham Setrakian's pawnshop. Eldrtich wants his right hand man to confiscate all the materials and transfer them to his place. He is specially interested in Miriam's still beating heart.

Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel) drops in and expresses his surprise at Eldritch's return to good health. Eldritch enquires as to when he will start turning into a vampire. Thomas replies that The Master has only granted him good health and in due time, he will enjoy immortality as well.

It is flashback time (again). Only this time, it is Zach Goodweather (Ben Hyland) dreaming about his missing mother Kelly (Natalie Brown). Eph Goodweather (Corey Stoll), Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand) and Abraham (David Bradley) discuss their strategy for fighting the Master.

Vasiliy suggests that he and Eph do some reconnaissance. They end up at a theater supposedly bought by the infected goth celebrity, Gabriel Bolivar (Jack Kesy). They discover The Master's coffin and a bunch of vampires.

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Mr Fritzwilliams finally stands up to his employer and quits, citing his discomfort with the latest development.

The current Secretary of Health, Maggie is killed by Eldritch after she refuses to play along. Dr Everett Barnes (Daniel Kash) witnesses this and readily agrees to become Eldritch's pawn as the next Secretary of Health.

Eph, Vasiliy, Abraham, Nora, Dutch and Zach launch their campaign against The Master. It is a free for all brawl as Eichorst, Gabe and Dutch's acquaintance all join in.

Abraham, aided by Eph fights the Master. Just as Abraham is about to kill the strigoi, he escapes in broad daylight. Abraham himself is surprised by this never-before-seen ability of the Master.

Gus meets his captor, Quinlan (Stephen McHattie). Gus tries to overcome Quinlan and finds that he is no match for the strigoi. Gus is introduced to Ancients, strigoi similar to The Master.

Quinlan informs Gus that a pact has been broken and that they need a human warrior to move in the broad daylight. Gus happily grabs this opportunity to get revenge for his infected mother.

In the closing scenes, Eph and Zach encounter Kelly in her changed form as a vampire. Eph shoots at her and she leaves. The grief of seeing his changed wife causes Eph to turn to drinking again. 

There were a couple of humorous moments, thanks to Bradley and Gomez - Abraham teaching the young Zach about effectively killing a strigoi and Gus asking Quinlan if he is eating “Mexican” tonight.

Still, this is one of the most disappointing season finales. Our heroes did not manage to kill even one major strigoi in the climactic encounter. While I didn't expect The Master to be destroyed in the first season itself, I was hoping that at least one major baddie (Thomas Eichorst or at least Gabriel “Gabe” Bolivar) would be killed. But this was not the case to be. On top of this, there was (as usual) the filler scenes with Eph and Vasiliy's reconnaissance and Dutch Velders' drinking habit.

I do give credit to the show for maintaining a consistency in terms of quality - it has been boring for the most part (except for  Episode # 8).

To give an example, this is similar to the underwhelming season finale for the Season 1 of  the CBS show Elementary. Ideally, we would all like to see something like the spectacular finish to the very well made (also from FX Networks) Fargo.

David Bradley, Richard Sammel and Miguel Gomez continue to give the best performances. Kevin Durand is good. The lesser about the rest, the better.

The episode ended with a very brief preview of the next season scheduled for 2015. Unless there are some drastic changes (like better screenplay, tighter plotting and if possible, recasting of a couple of lead characters), it will be a real chore to undergo the same experience again.

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Image Sources: FX Networks, DelToroFilms.com

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The Strain Season 1 Episode # 12 "Last Rites" - Recap and Review

This post discusses the episode in detail. Readers yet to watch the episode are recommended to skip it, if they wish to avoid spoilers.

Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel) pays a visit to the sick business tycoon, Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde). Eldritch reminds him that The Master owes him in return for all the help he has done as per the deal. Thomas responds that the Master does whatever he pleases. Eldritch claims to be still having faith that he will get his due.

Flashback to Albania in 1967. The younger Abraham Setrakian (Jim Watson) is still in pursuit of the German strigoi, Thomas Eichorst. Miriam Setrakian (Adina Verson) is concerned about her husband's obsession with tracking down the German tormentor.

Abraham is fooled into a trap laid by Eichorst and his wife is turned into a strigoi. Abraham makes the difficult choice of killing his beloved Miriam and then carves out her heart as a reminder and inspiration to continue his quest/mission.

Back in the present, Dr Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) tries to comfort Abraham about their failure to end The Master's life

Gus Elizalde (Miguel Gomez) gets the drop on Alonso Creem in his car. Gus needs money, ammunition and has decided to procure his supplies from Alonso. Things get out of hand, when they come under attack by vampires.

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Quinlan (Stephen McHattie), the hooded guy dressed in black (we saw a long time ago), reappears just in time to save the day. His crew kidnaps Gus.

Dutch Velders (Ruta Gedmintas) returns to the pawn shop and explains her plan to broadcast Eph's message to the world.

Just as Eph finishes his first ever speech, Eichorst leads an attack on Abraham's pawn shop. The turned Gabriel Bolivar (Jack Kesy) attacks Nora's mom, Mariela Martinez (Anne Betancourt) with his stinger. As the good guys make their escape from the shop through an escape door, Nora decapitates her now infected mother.

In the closing scenes, The Master arrives at the Stoneheart Group building and secretes his body fluids into Eldritch's mouth. Eldtrich quickly regains his vitality and is able to walk and enjoy the rain on the patio. His assistant/bodyguard Mr. Fitzwilliams (Roger R. Cross) is surprised and concerned with this sudden change in his employer.

The Strain has got to be one of the most pondering shows on TV. Having read the novels on which the series is based, it baffles me to as to why the show has been scripted this way. Things have been moving too slow right from the beginning and this episode is no different.

Nothing much happens of note, except for Gus' kidnapping and the death of Nora's mother. On the plus side, at least we have one less unnecessary character, thanks to Gabe.

The scenes showing the budding romance between Vasiliy Fet and Dutch Velders feels like more of the filler material that we have been seeing as part of the show. To his credit, Kevin does provide some humor in his interactions with Corey Stoll's character, Eph Goodweather.

Jim Watson gives a good performance as the younger Abraham Setrakian. Credit to the make up department for making Jim's Setrakian look like a credible younger version of David Bradley's older one.

Another nice touch was Thomas Eichorst's reflection vibrating in the mirror.

Hopefully, the season finale will ratchet up the tension that has been sorely missing so far in a show about vampires and humans racing against time to stop a fast spreading infection.

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The Strain Season 1 Episode # 9 "The Disappeared" - Recap and Review

This post discusses the episode in detail. Readers yet to watch the episode are recommended to skip it, if they wish to avoid spoilers.

As seen in the last episode, our heroes came under attack in a convenience store. They are able to make their escape, but Jim Kent (Sean Astin) gets infected and is shot dead by Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand).

Zach Goodweather (Ben Hyland) is dropped off at his home by Diane (Inga Cadranel). A transformed Matt Sayles (Drew Nelson) attacks Zach. Eph Goodweather (Corey Stoll) arrives right on time to rescue his son and destroys the vampire.

Zach informs Eph and Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) that his mother Kelly Goodweather (Natalie Brown) has been gone since morning, after having a fight with her live-in boyfriend.

Gus Elizalde's (Miguel Gomez) friend Felix (Pedro Miguel Arce) gets increasingly weak as the infection takes its toll on him.

Back in the Nazi concentration camp in 1944, Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel) keeps a special eye on the young Abraham Setrakian (Jim Watson). Thomas notices that Abraham is unhappy after finishing his previous masterpiece.

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Abraham tries to attack The Master during one of his feeding sessions. The Master overpowers him and breaks his fingers, while taunting him that even God cannot save him. Next day, Thomas orders Abraham's execution since he is no longer useful to him. Just as he is about to be executed, allied forces attack the camp and Abraham escapes.

Eph and Nora decide to stay back at Kelly's house. Eph and Nora dispose of Matt's body. They have a make out session. Diane stops by again and is furious at what she perceives as proof of Eph's infidelity to Kelly.

Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley), along with Vasiliy and Dutch Velders (Ruta Gedmintas), takes Zach to his pawn shop to keep him safe.

Dutch gets down at her apartment and discovers that her roommate Nikki (Nicola Correia Damude) stole her backup and all the money she has saved. During her conversation with Vasiliy, Dutch implies that she and Nikki were more than just friends.

One of Dutch's acquaintances, Ronnie tries to attack her. Vasiliy slays Ronnie.

Abraham proposes an alliance with Vasiliy Fet in order to use his intimate knowledge of the city to find The Master and destroy him.

Gus, Felix and a few other convicts are being transported in a police van for inspection by a doctor. A transformed Felix starts attacking his cellmates and the driver. The van crashes shortly. Gus shoots Felix dead and escapes.

Dutch confesses to Abraham about her work in bringing down the internet on behalf of Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde). She also mentions about her misgivings about Thomas Eichorst. 

The Master appears before Thomas Eichorst and infects him with a worm.

There was a lot of humor in this episode, mostly from Vasiliy Fet. Kevin Durand seems to be settling into his role.

Dutch Velders referring to Abraham's pawnshop as “Batcave” was a nice touch. Hats off to Guillermo del Toro for this reference.

The show is slowly and steadily picking up the tempo, after what have been some really slow episodes.

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Image Sources: FX Networks, DelToroFilms.com

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The Strain Season 1 Episode # 8 "Creatures of the Night" - Recap and Review

This post discusses the episode in detail. Readers yet to watch the episode are recommended to skip it, if they wish to avoid spoilers.

At the end of the previous episode, Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel) is about to kill Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley), when he was shot in the leg by Dr Eph Goodweather (Corey Stoll)/ Dr Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro). The Strigoi makes good his escape, but is weakened by his injury.

Abraham, Eph, Nora and Jim Kent (Sean Astin) break into a facility to acquire some supplies. They run into Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand), who beat them to the punch and has been helping himself already.

The gang heads to a store to buy some UV lamps. They come under attack by a horde of vampires. Dutch Velders (Ruta Gedmintus), the internet hacker hired by Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde) also happens to be in the same store with her friend.

A delivery guy and Dutch's friend try to flee and are killed. Jim gets infected by a vampire. Eph and Nora remove the worm from inside Jim and destroy it. But it is too late and Vasiliy shoots Jim dead to prevent his transformation.

The group makes its escape in a delivery truck.

This is hands down the most interesting episode so far. 

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Vasiliy referring to the store worker Hassan as “Apu” was a nice reference to “The Simpsons”. As readers familiar with the long running FOX show would be aware, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is the owner of the convenience store in Springfield. Guillermo del Toro is a fan of the show and has created an opening for a Simpsons episode which can be viewed below:

We get to see some hardcore and non-stop action. The focus of the episode was on the vampires/Strigoi. We learn that each vampire is connected to the Master. The Master commands them and can communicate through them. The Strigoi reach their full maturity after about a month.

Then, there are the “Chosen ones” like Thomas Eichorst, who are more advanced and can retain their original appearance.

The discussion among the group about deciding the fate of the infected Jim shows the different approaches taken by Abraham and Vasiliy vs Eph and Nora. While the former two are practical and do whatever is necessary to ensure their survival, the two doctors tend to be emotional. 

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The Strain Season 1 Episode # 5 "Runaways" - Recap

Ruby Wain (Regina King) calls in Dr. Evanston, an urologist to take care of her client, goth celebrity Gabriel Bolivar's (Jack Kesy) medical problems. Gabe, under the control of The Master, attacks the doctor with his stinger and claims her to be “Mine”. 

Ruby gets scared and sprains her leg, while fleeing the house. She calls someone and informs about the incident involving Gabe.

Abraham Setrakian (David Bradley) educates Dr Eph Goodweather (Corey Stoll) about “The Master” and refers to him as Patient Zero/Strigoi (Romanian word for vampire).

Abraham explains about his experience in 1944. A much younger Abraham (Jim Watson), along with his “bubbeh meiseh” grandmother (Kathleen Chalfant) and a friend, are taken to a concentration camp, under the control of Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel). Abraham and his friend are spared, after the camp guards learn that they are skilled carpenters.

Back to the present. Attorney Joan Luss (Leslie Hope) is getting more and more sick. The governess, Neeva (Kim Roberts) notices the subtle change in her employer when Joan stares at her daughter's neck with a strange look.

Dr Nora Martinez (Mia Maestro) is informed about her mother, Mariela Martinez (Anne Betancourt) making yet another escape attempt from her institution. She is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Eph and Abraham reach Ansel Barbour's (Nikolai Witschl) house, only to discover that his wife Ann-Marie Barbour (Alex Paxton-Beesley) has committed suicide by hanging from the roof.

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They carefully approach the shed and Eph shoots Ansel with his newly acquired nail gun, loaded with silver ammunition. Before decapitating Ansel, Abraham chants the following words: “Sabia mea fredoneaza de argint”.

Back in the concentration camp, Abraham watches a mysterious stranger feed on a fellow prisoner. He confides the same to his friend, who advises him to stop looking for monsters.

Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde)'s doctor informs him that his body cannot endure any more organ transfers/operations. Eldritch replies that this will be the last operation to be performed on him.

Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand) notices the spike in rat related incidents and makes an investigation in the sewers and is pursued by a big horde of strigoi. He escapes through a manhole and the sunlight prevents the vampires from catching up to him. 

Jack Noon is hired by Ruby to clean up the mess created by Gabe's attack on Dr. Evanston. He becomes Gabe's next victim.

Neeva packs Joan's kids and takes them to her place to keep them safe from their mother.

Nora is forced to take her mother out of the institution after a vampire attack.

Eph goes to the CDC with the video evidence of the infected victims. He tries to convince his boss, Dr. Everett Barnes (Daniel Kash) to declare a quarantine. Jim Kent (Sean Astin) advises Eph to flee and helps him to escape. 

David Bradley's Abraham Setrakian is the most fleshed out character in the show. I liked his quote: “Inaction is the greatest evil”. His interactions with Eph are the highlights of the episode.

Couple of scenes reminded me of other Guillermo del Toro efforts. In the concentration camp, young Abraham's friend makes the observation that they are already surrounded by monsters. This was similar to del Toro's Oscar winner Pan's Labyrinth, also set in the aftermath of a Spanish Civil War. The film's protagonist, Ofelia fantasizes about a faun and other mythic creatures while the merciless Captain Vidal inflicts cruelty around her in the real world.

Similarly, Vasiliy's escape from the strigoi through the manhole was reminiscent of a similar scene in Blade II, starring Wesley Snipes as the titular vampire hunter.

The episode felt disjointed and did not have the impact of a vampire show. The teaser for the next episode promises a lot of action. Hopefully, the next episode will be more effective.

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