Tuesday, 6 November 2012

BLOOD Episode 3 Season 2

‘I played right field’

Synopsis: An experimental pesticide has an adverse effect on its town when the inhabitants begin to embark on killing sprees culminating in suicide by cop.

It is impossible to think that this unforgettable episode will ever cease to become anything less than enjoyable and being a true favourite of mine I cannot wait to surmise the bountiful reasons as to why!

KILL, KILL’ EM, KILL’EM ALL Each violent instruction introduced by a high noted and sharp bang on the piano keys followed by a thumping heart beat drum rhythm. Straight after our opening teaser with the once mild mannered now disgruntled postal worker Edward, we discover that these cases of digital orders prompting there victim to act on murderous impulses are not isolated incidents but more of an epidemic in the usually peaceful town of Franklyn Pennsylvania. The premise of which is wholly exciting, dangerous and mysterious.

The spree of superficial random acts of violence is quickly continued with vigour by the vigorous porn/television actress Ashlyn Gere giving this episode an even finer cutting edge, her character’s virginitiphobia has to be an insider nod to her customary profession as does her attack on self-confessed sex addict David Duchovney (I kid obviously, David wasn’t diagnosed with sex addiction back in 1994 he was however diagnosed with young free and single-ism at the time).

Steady television actor William Sanderson’s portrayal of a sweaty nervous disgruntled postal worker on the edge of break down is superb. We eagerly anticipate his inevitable killing spree, with each passing opportunity more tension builds and culminates in an expertly derived unhinged shooting from top a clock tower and Mulder and Scully’s race to prevent it.

Mulders exposure to the experimental pesticides used on Franklyn’s crops is a wonderfully clever and subtle addition to the story line, the LSDM only effect on him is the message he received on his mobile phone ‘ALL DONE…BYE BYE’ the message could have only been sent by the government syndicate in charge of the spraying and this type of shadowy unknown government group going as far as to conduct inhumane experiments on its own citizens is what Mulder fears most.

This episode acts as a great exhibition of Mulder’s humour and reverence to his wit. One liner abounds and always gives reason to a re-watch. I particularly like his defence of playing right field in baseball and also noticed his immature ‘rubber’ joke that must be yet another homage to Ashlyn Gere’s profession.
With Mulder and Scully still on temporary hiatus the cameo by The Lone Gunman seems ideal. This is nothing more than a gentle re- introduction and they only conspire on Mulders own thoughts by adding in a brief history lesson on Government conspiracy with experimental pesticides. It is great to welcome them back and this time in shadier surroundings to their E.B.E premiere.

There is obviously one massive and confusing plot hole in Blood; the murderous instructions being able to be displayed on any electronic screen or display seen by any of the hundreds of people exposed to the LSDM. You may say perhaps due to the LSD contained within the LSDM that the victim’s fears prompted a visual hallucination on these devices which doesn’t go as far as to explain how each visualisation of the phrase 'kill them' are distinctly abbreviated in the fashion ‘KILL’EM’ as you would expect each individuals spelling to differ.


This level of technology and surveying is completely impossible so on the first few watches I hoped I had missed something but believe me it is what it is and in truth that is completely forgivable because this thrilling effort from Glen Morgan and James Wong makes up for its lack of plausibility with pure minute to minute humour, tension and well erm….. thrills!

Musings:

Just one, Scully’s sly introduction into this episode didn’t go unnoticed, I’m watching you. 

Watch Blood Instantly with Amazon

No comments:

Post a Comment