La Brea Season 2 Episode 4 The Fog Recap And Review- Dire Wolves, Confessions, And Lazarus Theories
Another day, another emergency, and another big reveal in a formulaic La Brea Season 2 Episode 4. The intriguingly simple sci-fi show that got a surprising second-season pick-up has settled into a predictable pattern. Unfortunately, it is one I’m not convinced serves the overall mythos of the show that well. Instead of breadcrumbs and layered dynamics, we get a wash, rinse, and repeat-style puzzle box that may have lost some of its mystery.
There are still plenty of pieces to like in NBC’s series. Characters like Josh McKenzie’s Lucas defy convention. He isn’t a reformed bad boy. He’s still irrational and emotional. Lucas lashes out without thinking more times than not and consistently makes decisions that put others at risk. He hasn’t been bound by some of the rigid character structures that others like Izzy, Levi, and Eve are. Scott(Rohan Mirchandaney) and Gavin(Eoin Macken) are intriguing because the former has charm for days, and the latter is the source of so much of the mystery. Veronica St. Clair’s Riley and Tonantzin Carmelo’s Paara each bring something interesting to the table as well. Spunky, determined, and wise, the two women steal the show despite their secondary billing.
It’s not Natalie Zea’s(Eve) fault. She is a gifted actress, but Eve is always put in ridiculous situations. Having just escaped the Exiled, she willingly leaps into action when she overhears Gavin, Scott, and Rebecca talking. As eager as she is to save Josh, shouldn’t she also care about Izzy? As quickly as she decides to go with them, Gavin talks her out of going. There is an artificiality to their interactions that I understand is necessary for the plot progression, but why do these people keep doing nonsensical things and then turning on a dime? It makes her appear weak, which contradicts her constant heroic action. Does anyone believe she should have been the one to take the arrow shot?
Moving forward, La Brea needs to introduce some character-driven episodes. Lost, the pinnacle of the puzzle box series, worked so beautifully because we were invested in every character. We all sobbed when Charlie died, and Michael Emerson’s Ben was the guy we all loved to hate. Unfortunately, there’s little of that in La Brea Season 2 Episode 4. To be honest, I was kind of cheering for the wolves. We need people to root for and others we want to punch. For that to happen, we need to relate to their decisions. Obviously, we haven’t ever been sucked into a sinkhole to the Ice Age, but we are all humans with fears and flaws.
Izzy’s guilt over her parents’ breakup doesn’t read as true as Veronica’s over her role in Lily’s abduction because we don’t believe her. Izzy is too old to be that clueless and petulant. Even after a massive dire wolf attack that left many injured or dead, Izzy still has time to be pissed at her mom for cheating. On the other hand, Veronica is desperately trying to atone, or at least punish herself. Everything from her pain to her panic reads lived in and natural. More moments with her are necessary for La Brea to find its emotional core.
When the fog rolls in and the wolves attack in La Brea Season 2 Episode 4, the group forgets about their food squabble and bands together. A well-aimed arrow, some scared lupine, and a whole lot of forgiveness later, and the two groups are friendly again. Ty even has chosen to return with Paara to be with her for whatever time he has left. However, his hallucinations are a concern that could make him a danger to any group.
Ty’s advancing illness could provide that emotional spark La Brea needs, though. He and Paara are a delightfully grounded pair who look doomed. He is terminal unless someone or something in the Tower can save him. With readily available time travel on the table, it wouldn’t be shocking if he was flung forward in time eventually to be cured only to return to Paara after an entire season of being thwarted. But, at least for now, Paara, Joseph, and the clearing group have made friends. Stolen food is put aside for more significant concerns like prehistoric beasts and warring tribes.
The Lazarus Project
We finally know what is in the Tower. Rebecca has been keeping a big secret. The scientists in the building, including potentially Gavin’s parents, have a time travel portal that is powered by the black rock the Exiled mine. We still don’t understand why they work together, nor do we know why Rebecca was so anxious to set things right. Conveniently dying after being munched on by a wolf, she only had enough time to tell Gavin his mother’s name.
Silas’ key card opened the door to the portal room. More important than that, though, is the name of the project. Lazarus is a curious choice. I can think of several better-suited names than Lazarus. Hourglass, Lookingglass, Pandora, or Chronos, for example. Why Lazarus? The biblical story of a man who was resurrected seems like an odd fit for a time-traveling project. Was the project first founded as a way to reverse a planet-killing event? Like in Devs, was it something personal like reversing time to save a loved one? Judging by Rebecca’s concern over putting everyone back into place, I predict that this project created a mess that the scientists are desperately trying to cover up or fix. The project’s name is essential moving forward, though, considering that Ty is dying. Might he be saved?
Josh and Riley in 1988 meet Dr. Clark, who knows all about the project. She also seems worried about others we haven’t met yet, and I wonder if Professor Marsh might not be the ally Riley and Josh think he is. He might be one of the scientists currently controlling the Tower. He could also be someone who inadvertently set a disastrous set of events in motion without realizing it. If La Brea follows its set structure, we should have a heist riddled with minor dangers and injuries followed by a late episode reveal. My money is on Marsh being bad news.
As La Brea Season 2 Episode 4 closes, Sam finally gets something to do. John Seda(Sam) has been sidelined for too long. Sam also has a child lost in 1988, and most would argue she is worth saving more than Josh. Seda’s work on Chicago P.D. shows he can do sensitive and strong. He might make a good foil for the bonkers love triangle no one wanted. Everyone loves a good heist, and if Sam gets to go, he should tone down the sticky mess that is Gavin, Eve, and Levi.
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As the Managing Editor for Signal Horizon, I love watching and writing about genre entertainment. I grew up with old-school slashers, but my real passion is television and all things weird and ambiguous. My work can be found here and Travel Weird, where I am the Editor in Chief.