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[TV Review] “The Strain”: Episode 1.09, ‘The Disappeared’

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“The Disappeared” represents a lot of what’s wrong with The Strain’s first season. It’s a bothersome step to the left in terms of character, plot, and exposition. The moments of horror are genuinely terrifying but fail to elevate the episode past the point of mediocre.

The obvious issue in this episode is the heavy focus on Eph’s relationship with his son. The actor playing Zack is bothersome in his performance. I just really wish TV would stay away from child actors, since this is a constant reminder that one of the supposed strongest relationships in the show is so terrible.

Speaking of terrible why the hell would our group of heroes decide to slpit up this week after the hell they lived through last week. It defies all logic and pushes the show into a more make believe world where people don’t seem to react to the world around them.

Hell most of the dialogue is atrociously referencing exposition this week. With most characters dumbfounded and reacting to the chaos of the city around them like it’s something completely normal.

The flashbacks are the only saving grace of the week. They push to add even more to Abraham and Eichorst’s relationship and push the overall conflict of the series in an even more interesting direction. There were a couple reveals inside that added a great deal of complexity to the time in the concentration camp. And the scenes with The Master were terrifying. The immense stature of that creature makes any scene he’s in dominate you.

Everything with Vasily and the hacker girl felt forced bordering on unnecessary. I didn’t quite understand the motivation for having those scenes between them. Especially when the vampire came into her house and she just looked at him with wide eyes. Jesus woman, you just say legions of these things descend upon a gas station. It defies logic.

Which is the biggest problem with “The Disappeared.”  Everything defies logic. Nothing has consequence and everything just feels like it’s stalling to carry us into next week. Don’t even get me started on the sex scene between Nora and Eph. I thought it was profoundly useless and completely out of place. But I digress.

The show was hitting it’s stride only to take a maddening detour in what could be the worst episode of the series. Everything really chugged along this week and barely held my attention. I wanted new developments, I wanted more conflict, and I wanted that insane action from last week. Instead I waited forty minutes for the one scene between The Master and Eichorst.

Let’s hope next week is better.

Stray Thoughts:

–       The bread truck is a amazing set. I just love seeing Abraham take himself so seriously surrounding by loaves of bread.

–       Nora’s mother is the worst, and the feeble attempt at comedy with her as so groan inducing.

–       Are we really to believe anything that our characters did this week, Jesus Christ, these are supposed professionals and they’re acting worse than sexed up teen archetypes from 80’s slashers.

What did you think of “The Disappeared” ?

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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