[7.7/10] Plenty of excitement and intrigue in this one, which is a great way to kick off a new season. The setup is a touch contrived, but Zeta having to protect Dr. Selig in a cryo chamber while the bad guys threaten to break into a locked science lab creates solid stakes. The computer that normally regulates the temperature in the chamber is busted, so Zeta himself has to keep it going if he wants to be able to talk to his creator and prove that he’s capable of change.
It’s another situation where Zeta seemingly has to sacrifice his own well-being, or at least put his safety at risk, to help another person. Here, it’s more complicated than that though. Part of his helping dr. Selig is his trademark altruism, but part of it is self-interest, since as Zeta’s creator, Dr. Selig is the only person who can speak with authority as to what Zeta is capable of. Zeta’s willing to risk capture to keep his one chance of clearing his name, so to speak, alive.
And yet, he’s willing to give it up for Ro. That’s the nice part of this one. When Ro’s in danger, Zeta is willing to give up the chance, give up his freedom, to make sure she’s OK. It’s a tribute to the friendship they’ve developed over the prior thirteen episodes, and the genuine care and kindness Zeta has developed in that time. It also could provide complicating security footage down the line, which I like as a wrinkle.
Meanwhile, there’s intrigue in the sense that per a high-ranking colonel (Michael Dorn!), there’s business involving Dr. Selig, cryogenics, and the government that is above even Bennet’s paygrade. His efforts to defy orders to stay away and capture Zeta regardless complicate his motivations for the first time in a while, and the cryptic plans involving Selig are a solid mystery box.
The climax here works too. Zeta saving his creator with his own heating element, charging through destructive gas to do so, speaks to the courage and compassion he has in spades now. But given the tenderness of Dr. Selig’s recovery, he doesn’t have the chance to ask what he so desperately wants to know. It’s understatedly tragic, even if it’s inevitable for this show to keep rolling as it has.
Otherwise, this one is largely enjoyable. There’s a nice contrast to Zee and Ro pulling off the perfect heist in the opening because they make a great team, in contrast to Agent West failing to help Agent Lee on an obstacle course and proving how the NSA isn’t nearly as cohesive. Agent Lee turning in her badge is a big moment, one the show’s built to nicely, and her calling in the colonel on Bennet’s extracurricular activity is a nice F.U. on the way out.
Overall, this is a strong start to the season, giving Zeta a taste of what he’s been chasing for the series so far, while showing why he’s worthy of his creator’s benediction.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-07-16T21:03:32Z
[7.7/10] Plenty of excitement and intrigue in this one, which is a great way to kick off a new season. The setup is a touch contrived, but Zeta having to protect Dr. Selig in a cryo chamber while the bad guys threaten to break into a locked science lab creates solid stakes. The computer that normally regulates the temperature in the chamber is busted, so Zeta himself has to keep it going if he wants to be able to talk to his creator and prove that he’s capable of change.
It’s another situation where Zeta seemingly has to sacrifice his own well-being, or at least put his safety at risk, to help another person. Here, it’s more complicated than that though. Part of his helping dr. Selig is his trademark altruism, but part of it is self-interest, since as Zeta’s creator, Dr. Selig is the only person who can speak with authority as to what Zeta is capable of. Zeta’s willing to risk capture to keep his one chance of clearing his name, so to speak, alive.
And yet, he’s willing to give it up for Ro. That’s the nice part of this one. When Ro’s in danger, Zeta is willing to give up the chance, give up his freedom, to make sure she’s OK. It’s a tribute to the friendship they’ve developed over the prior thirteen episodes, and the genuine care and kindness Zeta has developed in that time. It also could provide complicating security footage down the line, which I like as a wrinkle.
Meanwhile, there’s intrigue in the sense that per a high-ranking colonel (Michael Dorn!), there’s business involving Dr. Selig, cryogenics, and the government that is above even Bennet’s paygrade. His efforts to defy orders to stay away and capture Zeta regardless complicate his motivations for the first time in a while, and the cryptic plans involving Selig are a solid mystery box.
The climax here works too. Zeta saving his creator with his own heating element, charging through destructive gas to do so, speaks to the courage and compassion he has in spades now. But given the tenderness of Dr. Selig’s recovery, he doesn’t have the chance to ask what he so desperately wants to know. It’s understatedly tragic, even if it’s inevitable for this show to keep rolling as it has.
Otherwise, this one is largely enjoyable. There’s a nice contrast to Zee and Ro pulling off the perfect heist in the opening because they make a great team, in contrast to Agent West failing to help Agent Lee on an obstacle course and proving how the NSA isn’t nearly as cohesive. Agent Lee turning in her badge is a big moment, one the show’s built to nicely, and her calling in the colonel on Bennet’s extracurricular activity is a nice F.U. on the way out.
Overall, this is a strong start to the season, giving Zeta a taste of what he’s been chasing for the series so far, while showing why he’s worthy of his creator’s benediction.