Powers: Season 1, Episode 10: F@#k the Big Chiller
The season finale. Ten episodes of superhero freshness like nothing else before it. I’m very appreciative of the network cast and crew for giving one of my favorite comic series a chance. There’s so much lore to be had here and I love the fact that this episode ended with a cliffhanger to one of the best story arcs in comics history. I had a feeling it was going to go in that direction, I even said as much in my last couple of posts.
I’m only sad that there won’t be anymore Simons and, even more so, Wolfe. The former was a really fun power to see and the latter was one of the best villains I’ve seen in a while. I’m also sad to see Retro Girl go, but she didn’t get even close to this much spotlight in the comic so I wasn’t super attached. She has to go for the sake of the aforementioned best story arc.
Between the special effects issues and changes to the story, I was skeptical at first. My highest priority when it comes to entertainment is story, however, so I quickly overcame those objections. I didn’t know where this show was headed seven weeks ago, but I’m glad it has arrived here. This was some damn good storytelling and there are a few changes I even prefer.
The biggest change I like is the character of Johnny Royalle. He’s more of a reluctant antihero here than the complete a**hole he is in the comics. He capitalized on Wolfe’s death by being the one seen on camera with the head. It’s kind of like that moment in Marvel’s Secret Invasion when Norman Osborne was seen killing the Queen Veranke. Brian Michael Bendis was smart when writing that as well, but this one was an even better execution.
Things are different for Deena Pilgrim here too and I feel she was the most underutilized, but I’m confident we will see more of her in the future. Walker started off much more likable here so there’s been less room for her character. She’s just a regular foul-mouthed cop in a world of much more significant people. Cross is at least the boss and Triphammer is probably the most useful person on the entire show. I would like to know how his Black Swan map works though.
Thank goodness we finally see the points of both Kaotic Chic and Calista. They were being molded for greater things in the next season. Instead of a power being the big bad here, we’ll get to see regular people as the bad guys. That was one of the big selling points of the comic and I’m glad to see that it’s not being ignored here. I’m also hoping to see Dr. Death’s reaction to all of the bodies he’s going to have to deal with in the aftermath of the final battle against Wolfe. He’s hilarious.
Let’s see if Zora will recover fully and be back for the next season. Hopefully she will come out of this humbling experience as a greater and more self-aware hero (How is Logan Browning still so gorgeous will all of the bruise makeup?). I’m totally looking forward to season two and since there’s obvious quality of writing here, maybe we’ll even see an increase in budget. I’m looking forward to it either way!
Jonathan Thomas Jones is a speculative fiction author and founder of geekhavenreviews.com. He has been passionate about all things geek for his entire life. See more about him at jonathanthomasjones.com and follow him on twitter @jtgloryjones.
