‘Reginald the Vampire’ Recap: ‘Watch the Sunrise’

​Written by John Edward Betancourt 

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE -- "Watch the Sunrise" Episode 204 -- Pictured: (l-r) Thailey Roberge as Claire, Jacob Batalon as Reginald Andres -- (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Reginald the Vampire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular truth about horror stories, is that the monsters that populate the genre, will rarely deal with the complications and problems that everyday people do. They won’t deal with the fear that accompanies losing one’s job, they won’t experience depression and anxiety. They won’t have their hearts broken and nor will they deal with the power of grief. For they are something otherworldly, something powerful… and they have in many ways transcended the need for emotion and the need to grow from that. Or… they simply could be incapable of such thoughts because they are no longer human in the traditional sense. But one way or another, you just don’t see zombies, vampires, werewolves and other such creatures, deal with the stuff we do.  

Which is why this week’s episode of Reginald the Vampire on SYFY is of note. Simply because, ‘Watch the Sunrise’ outright did the impossible and forced otherworldly beings to deal with their humanity and the emotions and problems we all do. A feat that this story accomplished, by having Claire deal with genuine tragedy. For one fine morning, hours before a grandiose trip to see the sunrise at a beautiful location with her newly reformed family… she came to discover that her mother had passed away in the middle in the night. Which brought her great shock, since she thought there was nothing critically wrong, but alas… her dad informed her that Amy was sick with a form of cancer and that he was trying to save her from this very fate, and bailed out quickly because he thought he failed everyone.

But he didn’t. Time had run out and nature had taken its course and well… just like that… we were able to explore new territory within the genre. Since this episode basically asked, how would a being with otherworldly powers deal with loss and grief? And the answer to that question… was not well. Simply because Claire could not understand how this happened being surrounded by so many powerful creatures. Much less, the fact that she had incredible powers of her own that should have helped her to save her mother from such a piddly mortal fate and well, that plunged her… and everyone around her… into a sorrowful place. Wherein each of them was reminded of the precious nature of life, and how little control we have over our fates, including the undead. 

After all, they too were facing some serious trouble on the horizon with Bolestro preparing to wipe them out and well, all of this allowed for a powerful exploration to take place. One that offered that powerful lesson, explored the importance of truly cherishing the moment with those we love since we don’t know when our number is up… alongside a revolutionary look at how these transformed humans… would indeed struggle with grief and be hit by it harder because of their transformation. But it also pointed out that… they could get through it, via community and via care and by perhaps using their powers collectively to help a being with such powers… process the pain. Which Uriel helped do here for Claire by giving her a chance to properly say farewell to her mother with a quick visit to the afterlife.  

All of which made, for one incredible and powerful tale. One that truly took the audience by surprise with its philosophy and outright genius. Because this is just groundbreaking stuff for the genre, that we simply don’t see but clearly should. Especially now in this era of elevated horror since stories like this, can help so many in need. But genius aside, there was plenty more to celebrate about this tale. Since it also finally revealed what Uriel and his companion came to Earth for, and the fact that Bolestro has a child on a mortal plane, is a big deal and will undoubtedly come up down the line. But for now, we can offer up a round of applause for one moving and brilliant story. One that tackled one hell of a topic in a manner that was moving and poignant, and it will be interesting to see what other storytelling surprises await us as season two of this magnificent series continues along. Until next time. 

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