Ruminations on THE STRAIN: THE TAKING OF CENTRAL PARK

THE STRAIN -- "The Battle of Central Park" -- Episode 306 -- (Airs Sunday, October 2, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: (l-r) Ruta Gedmintas as Dutch Velders, Corey Stoll as Ephraim as Goodweather. CR: Michael Gibson/FX

Daaaaay-um! That was BRUTAL! They totally should have called this episode “The Strigoi Strike Back.” And a prominent character even got his hand chopped off, too! Speaking of which, I’m glad Dutch was able to get a little revenge on Eichorst. It was a small victory on a night when the vamps scored a MAJOR coup. So is the Master playing possum, still controlling things from wherever/inside whomever he is hiding? Or are the Strigoi themselves getting smarter? Whoever set up the trap, it was a brilliant move. Check and mate, humans. Boom!

Gus has now risen to the rank of my second favorite human character. Actually it’s hard to think of him without thinking of Angel. They just go together, like a tag team, like peanut butter and preserves. I cheered when they killed that fascist cop. Is there subtext at work, here? Given the current mistrust of and disillusionment with law enforcement after several unjustified shootings of unarmed civilians, were the writers giving a little cathartic release to communal viewer angst? Probably not. Probably it was just a necessary plot point, but if it serves the latter purpose, why not?

It’s amazing how much more interesting a character Zack became once they gave him a little vampire playmate. Will he be able to humanize in any way his creepy new “pet?” I find the little vampire a sad and fascinating addition to the show. Zach is still milquetoast, but he’s necessary for the grounding of the vampire tyke, so for the first time since the series started I’m glad to have him around.

My only complain with this episode? No Quinlan.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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