Swamp Thing Episode 4 REVIEW

Originally published at: 
https://thegww.com/swamp-thing-01x04-review/

Swamp Thing
DC Universe
Season 1, Episode 4
Darkness on the Edge of Town


               

Over the course of watching the first four episodes of Swamp Thing, it's become fairly obvious mirroring is a key storytelling element. Flashbacks pair with events unfolding in the present, and similar circumstances shared by characters are a nice tease while we wait for the dots to connect. This being said, I'm still fairly surprised, and quite pleased to say, "Darkness on the Edge of Town" could share roots with the original Swamp Thing television series from the 90s.

With the sick townsfolk in Marais showing significant signs of improvement, a new affliction arises within the bayou. Dark forces lay dormant for only so long, and while the effects start more subtle than the swamp flu, the results make for a hallucinogenic horror-fest. Worst nightmares realized as bad trips just might cause you to have a sleepless night.

Abby receives a key piece of data from Alec in the form of a tissue sample. While studying the cell anomaly that makes up Swamp Thing's monstrous form, an arrogant Jason Woodrue offers her assistance with the analysis. Abby agrees to an uneasy alliance with the mad scientist, which is equally frustrating and intriguing. It's one of those times you want to yell at your screen, as if you could influence her decision, but also can't wait to see what his intentions are with this breakthrough she shouldn't have handed over.

                    

The Sunderland's sights are set on the recently orphaned, and now healthy Susie Coyle. It's made clear early in the episode that they intend on taking her into their care, yet it avoids becoming a boring plot point thanks to the individual motives behind the decision. For Maria, Susie would serve as a surrogate daughter, filling a void left in her heart and home since Shawna passed away. Avery however, views her as a science experiment.
Heads up comic book fans, when it's Abby's turn to dance with her inner demons, your heart may explode with joy...or terror. Any way you decide to slice it, be prepared to speculate on what an Arcane family reunion might look like.

                   

I noted "Darkness on the Edge of Town" feels like it pays tribute to its 90s predecessor. The reason for this is, while multiple threads add depth to be discovered down the road, there's a clear resolution to the threat posed here. The story is properly bookended, and I love that. The majority of episodes from the previous series were stand-alone tales. Sometimes, it's enjoyable to have the ability to watch something without being bogged down by what came before. Nowadays we stream, binge and never miss a beat. But back when the original aired and you forgot to set your VCR for when you weren't home, better luck next week buddy.

Breaking news, Derek Mears plays one hell of a Swamp Thing. One of my gripes thus far is how little we've seen of the title character. He's still not hogging the screen by any stretch, but what we do see is fantastic. Mears emotes well through the makeup and allows the man inside the monster to shine. I found myself getting lost in the facial expressions on display, and just how amazing Swamp Thing looks.

This is my favorite episode thus far. Swamp Thing didn't get any action sequences, but they weren't required. He perfectly serves his purpose in a well-rounded script. Stunning visuals, spooky bits are spectacular, and the acting performances have an emotional edge. Think I got myself a nasty case of swamp scratch fever, and I like it!
8.5 Tubers out of 10
-David Schultz

Swamp Thing Episode Three Review

Originally published at: https://thegww.com/swamp-thing-01x03-review/

Swamp Thing
DC Universe
Season 1, Episode 3 "He Speaks"

By now we've all heard the news of Swamp Thing's premature cancellation, and as of this writing, the rumors still swirl as to what caused the axe to fall. At a time like this, a eulogy feels more appropriate than reviewing the most recent episode. So it was difficult to resist the urge of typing a "Swamp Thing, we hardly got the chance to know ya!" sendoff piece. You see, that would be terribly boring and rather than focus on what's to come, I'd rather concentrate on what we currently have.


In reality, even with the bad news, we still have the chance to finish the season and there is plenty of monster mayhem to enjoy before it's time to say goodbye. It's okay to whistle past the graveyard in this case. Although, I must admit this outing makes pulling the plug a little less painful.

Hold on now. Before you go sending some Louisiana gris gris my way, hear me out.  Episode three of Swamp Thing is good, not great.

This installment showcases the supporting cast, and it handles that responsibility from multiple angles very well.  In a scene where Jason Woodrue examines the corpse of Eddie Coyle, he comes off as a condescending, creepy jerk. A mutated heart that Woodrue uses to test Abby's abilities as a scientist serves as a metaphor for what could be his true motive. It's a nice touch considering, later on, he and his wife Caroline share a tender, and telling moment.

Maria Sunderland's role is also quite intriguing. Her backstory is built around the debilitating loss of her daughter Shawna. Abby's return to Marais has stirred up her feelings of grief, relegating her to sympathetic character status. Here she finds strength in a most unusual ally that makes you wonder if she has found her voice, or completely lost her mind.

Liz Tremayne hits up one of her sources searching for answers, Matt Cable tries to create a love connection, and more light is shed on Avery Sunderland's sordid affairs. All three are staples from the source material, and each individual plot thread is played out well. It's especially nice to see Liz and Matt fleshed out more. They felt like small pieces of the puzzle during the first two episodes.

On the other hand, while those appearances were enjoyable, a brief bit with Dan Cassidy and Xanadu nearly gets ruined by a product placement for beer.  I know, I know. Gotta pay the bills, but it was off-putting.

Notice I haven't mentioned Swamp Thing yet? While getting a good look at him right out of the gate, he still isn't given ample screen time on a show bearing his name. Andy Bean returns as Alec Holland, adding more murkiness to Swamp Thing's purpose. Still unsure of who or what he truly is, a dream sequence is used to set up yet another frustrated roar.

But hey, this episode is titled "He Speaks" right? So this is it! Finally, we get our star a turn on center stage and hear that signature speech pattern. Well, yes in a way,  but it won't illicit the ghastly goosebumps you may have dreamed of.

The action that sets up Swampy's first words is also lackluster. When Abby Arcane investigates what's left of Alec's lab, a new type of infection, independent of the swamp flu, shows it's ugly face. Swamp Thing engages in what I would describe as a shoving match with the menace, handling the situation quite easily. The combination of saving the day and connecting with Abby should have more of an impact. After witnessing the evisceration that befalls Swamp Thing's enemies, this outcome will elicit a few yawns.

All of the visual and horror components we've become accustomed to with the series are still intact. Fair warning though, if you're the kind of person who enjoys a snack before watching a show, skip it. It'll take some serious intestinal fortitude to stomach the opening sequence. Go ahead and save those nachos for when Swamp Thing is over.

Fans of the comics should be pleased with a nod to the Rot, an elemental kingdom with the ability to control decay featured during the New 52, and going much further back, a nice little Conclave namedrop. The latter will also make fans ears perk up, especially with whom it's directed at.

"He Speaks" falls just shy of meeting the standard set by the previous set of episodes. Mainly because the Swamp Thing we get didn't do enough. I can accept a slow burn, but when our hero gets his chances, make them count. The previously prominent wow factor took a wrong turn and wilted. You know what though? Everyone is allowed an off day, even if they're not fully human, so I'll give the big green guy a muck-encrusted mulligan.

⭐6.5 Tubers out of 10⭐

-David Schultz

Swamp Thing Episode 2 Review SPOILER FREE

Originally published on the GWW.


While watching Episode Two of Swamp Thing, one thing is apparent; The show is out to create a truly diverse environment for the audience to enjoy. From the dimly lit bayou implying danger at night to sets that make you feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of a remote, Louisiana lifestyle. The mood is perfectly captured scene to scene.
That being said, don’t believe it’s only about the atmosphere. There is some wonderful character building at play here. Crystal Reed continues to impress as Abby Arcane, plus the script grants deeper dives into the supporting cast from the previous installment. Susie (Elle Graham), Matt Cable (Henderson Wade), Liz Tremayne (Maria Sten) and Madame Xanadu (Jeryl Prescott) all continue to develop quite nicely and naturally. Xanadu’s emergence also proves to be quite impactful. Not only is her look enough to chill you to the core, but she is also deeply rooted in Maria Sunderland’s downward spiral of grief.

Will Patton’s portrayal of Avery Sunderland is downright excellent. Each appearance is a highlight. One scene, in particular, explores the emotional scars reopened with Abby’s return to her hometown after a 14 year, self-imposed exile, exposing what a true master manipulator he is. Not long after, we receive hints at the sinister villain he’s bound to become. Patton’s performance is so good in fact, I implore the writers not to bother with a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore’s classic Swamp Thing story, the Anatomy Lesson. More on comic continuity a little later.

Episode Two ushers in some new faces to the cast with Sheriff Cable (Jennifer Beals), Jason Woodrue (Kevin Durand) and Dan Cassidy aka the Blue Devil (Ian Ziering). To be perfectly honest,the whole idea of including Blue Devil in the series rubbed me the wrong way when it was announced. I worried the series would turn into a bloated superhero ensemble rather than focus on the most important players, Swamp Thing and Abby. While I’m not ditching my concerns entirely as we are only two episodes in, seeing how Blue Devil was implemented here and Ziering’s charming performance put me at ease.

The final act is a full immersion into a perfectly paced slasher film. Edge of your seat suspense, with the right amount of action and gore. Swamp Thing is also finally allowed his time to shine. While not given much screen time overall, I will say what we do get of Swamp Thing is nothing short of fantastic. This episode gives us a better look at our hero and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. The design is absolutely spot on. Some may argue in this day and age going full CGI makes the most sense, but mixing an actor in a body suit (Derek Mears) with modern effects has proven to be the smart choice. All we need now is more of him.

And oh, the last bit of dialogue during the show will send tingles down your spine, provided you still have one after witnessing what happens to Swamp Thing’s enemies.

Finally, as I mentioned in my review of the pilot, fans of the source material need to adjust their expectations on what is being translated to the television show. You’ll be immediately struck by the location changing from Houma to Marais, yet they maintain that Holland has a dog per Swamp Thing volume 1 from the 70s. These examples are only scratching the surface as some alterations may seriously tempt you to pull your hair out.

First off, please don’t do that. Speaking for guys with a Kojak sheen, we can only dream about having the beautiful locks you’re about to yank on. Secondly, it opens up speculation avenues for those who are well read in Swamp Thing lore. Something that’s struck me over the course of the last two episodes is how Susie resembles Karen Clancy from the 1982 Swamp Thing relaunch. Did the writers have her in mind while scripting the series? Probably not, but I’ve ultimately decided that it’s much more fun to enhance my viewing experience with theories than trash it for lack of loyalty.
It’s safe to say, Swamp Thing officially has me hooked.  If you enjoy visually stunning, character-driven, gothic horror, feel free to grab some popcorn and pull up a stump. We’re in for one heck of a show.

7.5 Tubers out of 10

-David Schultz

Swamp Thing Pilot Review SPOILER FREE

Originally published on thegww.com

To bring up Swamp Thing in conversation is sure to dust off memories of the 1982 Wes Craven film,  the comedy tinted, pseudo-sequel  Return of  Swamp Thing, or the short-lived (yet episode packed) series that ran on the USA Network from 1990-1993. Many folks cite these works as their definitive recall of the character, while not all bad, can definitely be considered not fully loyal to the comic book canon. Originally created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson back in 1971, Swamp Thing has had many notable, even classic tales told since then. Alan Moore's legendary run from the mid 1980s has become required reading among fans.

Within the realm of film and television, a whole generation has grown up without any live-action Swamp Thing in their lives over the last 26 years. During that time, our opinions about how we view adaptations in superhero media has changed. Well, for most of us, as a quick scroll through Twitter could prove me wrong.

The emphasis for the audience has evolved into caring less about continuity carried out in the comics and concentrating more on good storytelling. We currently live in a golden age, where our favorite capes and creatures delight us in various forms of media on the regular. If you blink, you'll miss a new release based on a property that originally came from the pages of a comic book. This was far from the norm when Swamp Thing had his limited time in the limelight and the hardcore fan base, if they haven't already, needs to adjust their mindset accordingly prior to watching the pilot for Swamp Thing debuting on DC Universe, May 31st. 

The pilot does a fine job establishing the core of characters that will lead us through the series. They are weaved in seamlessly over the first 59 minutes of the show and each introduction feels natural. The star that shines brightest isn't the titular monster, but rather Abby Arcane. Played by actress Crystal Reed, Abby is a member of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service who has been called home to Marais, Louisiana where a potential outbreak is threatening the lives of the locals. Unlike the source material, Abby's depth is established quickly, thanks to good writing and Reed's excellent acting performance.

She soon meets the somewhat awkward biologist (and big on 80's television references) Alec Holland, played by Andy Bean. He's also investigating the epidemic, albeit from an unofficial channel. Alec and Abby pair up to put the pieces of the puzzle together and share a fair amount of chemistry onscreen. Most notably, when mutual confessions reveal more layers to their backstories for the series to explore over the course of the next nine episodes.

Another powerful first appearance is that of Avery Sunderland, portrayed by Will Patton. A wealthy businessman from Marais, who surprisingly, is one of the only actors to utilize a southern accent.  His introductory scene carries weight, not only proving he is a calming voice for the townsfolk, but also a major player in all of the secrets to unfold in the swamp.  Also worth noting, as told by his wife Maria (Virginia Madsen), the history Abby shares with the Sunderland family is quite substantial.

Executive producer James Wan has promised the series will be horror heavy. This episode wastes no time solidifying the fact, establishing the mood of the show from the opening sequence. With the right mix of suspense, action, and gore, they are as taking full advantage of the R rating. Those who appreciate the genre will notice the care put into giving Swamp Thing a truly spooky turn on television.  Exhibiting a hearty blend of practical and computer-generated visual effects, viewers will be terrified of the evil brewing in the bayou.

Composer Brian Tyler is a big contributor to the scares with his thick and haunting sounds. The music is the perfect accompaniment to the ambiance of the show and helps to set up the suspense for key scenes.  It's easy to find yourself lost in the moment, due to the table setting provided by Tyler's dark, melodic tones.

Not to say this episode doesn't bear some blemishes. There's a cringe-worthy moment that I interpreted as an attempt at flirting involving Google speak, and I considered Andy Bean's performance as Alec to be a little dry. While not bad, there were times I felt when given emotional cues within the script, he lacked punch. This could be due to his co-star Crystal Reed stealing the show with the same opportunities.

Also keep in mind, this is an origin story. For those who are eager to see the big green guy onscreen, temper those expectations. You will get your wish in dramatic fashion. So in the meantime, enjoy the other bumps in the night provided over the course of the Swamp Thing pilot.

As I noted during my introduction, this is a modern reinterpretation of Swamp Thing geared to attract a new audience. As a fan myself, reading anything Swamp Thing related to cross my path over the last 30 years, it's hard to dismiss the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"; Yet if you measure the show on its own merits there's a lot to like. I'm very excited to see how the newest chapter in the Swamp Thing mythos unfolds. DC Universe has a potential winner here


⭐ 7 Tubers out of 10 ⭐

- David Schultz