Absolution Discussion

[Monster Zero]

A Christmas episode, yes, and I normally detest such things, but one that takes advantage of the seasonal conditions to tell its story, i.e. the snow that traps Alec and the others in the base, making this an homage to The Thing with the show’s uniquely British spin. And not, thank God, some kind of seasonal schlock fest. Not that I was really worried.

Erica and the rest of the Headland characters are well drawn, believable characters, giving Alec and Baines plenty of facets to bounce off as they settle themselves in. The ghoul attacks are suitably visceral, with an intriguing mystery to help get Alec’s mojo back – the parallels between himself and Erica also sell the journey he’s on, meaning this doesn’t feel disconnected from the rest of Walker despite the lack of the other team members. Nikolai does channel Hudson from Aliens a little, especially when he’s blasting the ghouls as they burst into the centre (he does get a little edam, I’m afraid).

The pacing ebbs and flows well, allowing just enough breathing room between incidents for a batch of character beats before the monsters attack again, meaning things never slow down for too long. I can’t be the only person sensing some major league foreshadowing when Baines tells Alec about when it’s right for a Knight to sacrifice himself, can I? Not for the confrontation with Henry in the commune, but for the end of the series itself? Anyway.

Rapidly wrapped up (and rather neatly too) but it does at least stop the story from getting bloated – this is a leanly-plotted, fast-moving exercise in redemption for Alec, and does its job admirably well. It also means we won’t have to spend half of next season watching Alec emo his way around – his issues have taken a great step towards being sorted, so bonus point for that.

[Adam]

And Lee joins the ranks of those who are fully up to date!

A Christmas episode, yes, and I normally detest such things, but one that takes advantage of the seasonal conditions to tell its story, i.e. the snow that traps Alec and the others in the base, making this an homage to The Thing with the show’s uniquely British spin. And not, thank God, some kind of seasonal schlock fest. Not that I was really worried.

The Christmas element sort of happened by accident. When I decided to do this episode I knew it was going to go out around Christmas, so it just made sense to do it this way. But no, it was never going to be Black Christmas or anything, the Christmas stuff's largely incidental but I think this story benefits from it.

Erica and the rest of the Headland characters are well drawn, believable characters, giving Alec and Baines plenty of facets to bounce off as they settle themselves in. The ghoul attacks are suitably visceral, with an intriguing mystery to help get Alec’s mojo back – the parallels between himself and Erica also sell the journey he’s on, meaning this doesn’t feel disconnected from the rest of Walker despite the lack of the other team members.

The funny thing about this episode; I always knew Alec could carry this by himself, but a lot of people were worried it wouldn't work without the supporting cast. But it wouldn't have made ANY sense to have them there. And yes, the parallel between Alec and Erica was very much the point; Alec really needed to connect with someone here and I enjoyed writing her.

Nikolai does channel Hudson from Aliens a little, especially when he’s blasting the ghouls as they burst into the centre (he does get a little edam, I’m afraid).

Hah! Well, guilty - as I said above, I loved writing Nikolai perhaps for that reason (he's just basically a bastard, which is always fun to write).

I can’t be the only person sensing some major league foreshadowing when Baines tells Alec about when it’s right for a Knight to sacrifice himself, can I? Not for the confrontation with Henry in the commune, but for the end of the series itself? Anyway.

You're the only one who's sensed it so far, or at least the only one who's told me about it anyway. And I'm leaving that point well alone.

Rapidly wrapped up (and rather neatly too) but it does at least stop the story from getting bloated – this is a leanly-plotted, fast-moving exercise in redemption for Alec, and does its job admirably well. It also means we won’t have to spend half of next season watching Alec emo his way around – his issues have taken a great step towards being sorted, so bonus point for that.

Which was exactly what I was hoping for.

Thanks mate, really glad you liked it.

[TylerMoody]

I read Absolution!

I liked it. I enjoyed the action scenes. Didn't much care about the Snow Bunnies as I've decided to call them, they got the job done. Nikolai was sniveling and such. The best part, for me, and clearly the most important part, was the conversations between Alec and the always-welcome Baine. Seeing Alec broken like that was deeply affecting, and for him to consider using his Knight powers to kill himself...MI-16 should spring for a therapist.

But honestly, for me, Absolution was a stepping stone to get to Season 3 proper. I like the show best when all the characters are together. And I want to see how everyone reacts to Alec's presence, whether he tries to make amends, if anything will ever be the same again. Now! On to the season premiere.

[Adam]

I read Absolution!

One nil to Mr Moody.

The best part, for me, and clearly the most important part, was the conversations between Alec and the always-welcome Baine. Seeing Alec broken like that was deeply affecting, and for him to consider using his Knight powers to kill himself...MI-16 should spring for a therapist.

Hah! Now that'd make some good scenes alright! But yeah, that was very much the point of the episode - I needed to show Alec hitting the absolute rock bottom, the lowest we've ever seen him, and dealing with what he'd been forced to do before he could start to build himself back up. Hence the reason this episode is separate from the running order of season three.

But honestly, for me, Absolution was a stepping stone to get to Season 3 proper. I like the show best when all the characters are together. And I want to see how everyone reacts to Alec's presence, whether he tries to make amends, if anything will ever be the same again. Now! On to the season premiere.

Fair enough, I can accept that. As I said above, the point of the episode was very much dealing with Alec and how he managed to cope with what happened, and I think that by the time you've seen just how much stuff is happening at the start of season three you'll understand why I had to tell this as a separate entity rather than part of season three.

Nice to have you back aboard, Mr Moody!

[Dr. Kyle Banner]

(click to show/hide)

Walker - Absolution
Picking up five months after the events of the Season 2 finale, Adam crafts a tale of redemption for Alec Walker that quite nicely takes that story forward.  The idea of a suicidal Alec is quite frightening actually, especially as he comes so damn near to actually doing it.  Baines is once more on top form here as the mentor who just wants Alec to come out of his funk and forgive himself.  It'll be interesting to see how Alec gets back into the group in Season 3.  I reckon he'll have no trouble with Boone, he himself being no stranger to redemption.  Chloe, now being in charge of MI-16 has the advantage of looking at the bigger picture.  Jackson on the other hand...

All in all a tightly woven tale that nicely bridges the gap between Seasons 2 and 3.  Bring on Season 3.

[Dino]

I kind of forgot about the review...

After seeing the setup for the first Walker Christmas special, it reminded me a hell of a lot of 30 Days of Night. By that I mean the whole siege situation, the snow and the fact a group of monsters that didn't mind a bit of human flesh certainly put my mind in play.

The scenes between Walker and Baines is always good to read. Baines is there to be Walker's anchor - considering the things he's gone through since the finale of S2. The dialogue of guessing which Shakespeare play was a good one. I kind got the impression this was Baines way of telling Walker what he was really thinking.

As for the crew at the station...

Erica certainly comes across as a girl who can handle herself. Even faced with the adversity of numerous ghouls, she still would do anything to protect her brother.

Nikolai came across as a massive prick. But given the circumstances would he have done what he did and not incurred the wrath of the ghouls?

The others didn't really make that much of an impression on me.

The game change came when the cavern underneath the mountain didn't reveal a pack of sorts, but more a community. Even with my limited knowledge of ghouls - they aren't really community oriented, so that cannot end well.

Even though Alec was ready to give his life up to save a group of people he hardly knew... I kind of wonder what would have happened if he did unleash that power. Something tells me that Erica and the others wouldn't make it out alive anyway...

My memory is a little dim on the events of of the S2 finale. Who was Kate exactly? For some reason I kept thinking it was  Alec's partner, but when you mentioned Chloe - that's who I was thinking of. So... Kate: I can't really remember her all that much.

Other than that... it was a well written episode. I hope to look forward to the other movies and Season 3. Next up on the list: Nightingale! Which should please a certain Mr. Black. ^_^

[Tony O'Stark]

Yes it does Dino - many thanks. Wish more people were reading it!