‘Firebite’ Recap: ‘The Last Bloodhunter’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Firebite’.
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Something that is genuinely difficult to predict when one starts a new television show… is what the pacing of the story is going to look like. Because these days shows love to surprise us at every turn in order to provide us with a unique storytelling experience and one way to accomplish that, is to stun us with said pacing. Which means that shows we think are going to be a slow burn in nature, might kick it into overdrive to wow us, and vice versa, and this is a question that was definitely top of mind for this writer and fans everywhere when it comes to the new vampire series on AMC+, Firebite.
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Because the opening chapter of this particular show, was a world-building tale that knew precisely when to ramp up the tension and when to slow things down. And it also informed us of the rules and let us get to know the characters while injecting some horror elements into the mix. Which indeed left us wondering, was this how the show was going to go? Was it going to keep the ebb and flow feel present? Or was something different waiting in the wings and well, it would seem… that ebb and flow is precisely where this series is going to reside and that’s a wonderful thing. Since it means that spooky stuff can take place, alongside world-building and the quiet spots will help us to process the amazing revelations that pop up in this series, such as the fact… that the ancient order of Bloodhunters is in trouble.

For shortly after Shanika and Tyson rescue the mysterious Bloodhunter from the vampire caves of Opal City, they come to learn that he is in fact, ‘The Last Bloodhunter’. For the vampire war has claimed the rest of his kind and he has come to Opal City for one reason and one reason alone, because if he is successful here… he could end the vampire scourge for all time. But alas, there is one big problem when it comes to his mission. In that, the blood sucker that is the key to his plan, is in fact… the Vampire King. Who just so happens to be the last of his kind as well and sadly, he is fully prepared to go to great lengths so that his kind and his reign continues along.

Which means that the more action packed and horror themed sequences in this story, revolved around this particular monster. As he and his brood did their best to blend in and feed and try to figure out the location of the hunter in question, all while preparing for the future, by stealing medical equipment designed to keep blood pumping in a patient. Making it clear that he plans to keep his food alive, and his people fed and happy long enough to rebuild what the vampires have lost and there’s a chance he might be successful in his endeavors. For at the end of this tale, he and his brood make their way to Tyson’s place to deal with the Bloodhunter and in his weakened state, there’s a fair chance they will defeat him and win the day.

Unless of course, someone steps up to the plate and hopefully Tyson will do just that. Since he clearly has the knowledge and the know how to fight and win against the vampire scourge. But while we wait to see what comes out of that ending, we can celebrate another brilliant episode of this show. One that once again used the perfect balance of tension and chill to flesh out this unique world and the horror elements here were simply top notch and well, all this wonderful episode does it leave us hungry for more. Because this really is shaping up to be an epic vampire story, one that will outright satisfy its viewers, thanks to its wonderfully balanced structure. Until next time.

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