‘The Terror’ Recap: ‘The C, the C, the Open C’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

I think it is safe to say that human beings are definitely one of the most resilient creatures on the planet. After all, we are able to fight off infections and beat other illness that threaten our livelihood since we truly have no greater predator on the planet outside of our own bodies. But, our ability to forge ahead extends beyond our ability to beat back a nasty cold. For our mental and psychological reserves are equally as strong and they allow for us to see another day when it seems as though there is no hope or exit from a sticky situation. If anything, this wonderful combination has allowed for our species to endure and bounce back time and time again, but there is a dark side to our abilities as well.
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For sometimes, when we are plunged into truly disastrous situations, the less evolved mental stuff bubbles to the surface. Specifically, that survival instinct that got our ancestors through far more difficult times than we will ever know, and when one puts those two elements together, what we become are terrifying beings, ones that are willing to use their cunning to do unspeakable things in order to see another sunrise and it just so happens, that our evolved sensibilities and darker survival instincts were put on full display in the next episode of The Terror, and combining these two elements into a single storyline, allowed for this series to provide us with its darkest episode to date.

Because ‘The C, the C, the Open C’ saw the now segregated crews of Erebus and Terror suffer like never before, and how they handled their respective situations is how the story explored the two elements in question, with Captain Crozier’s band of survivors handling the lighter side of things when it comes to how we work to survive. Which was fascinating to say the least since they faced some incredible odds. After all, most of the crew in Crozier’s camp was beginning to succumb to malnourishment and the lead poisoning flowing through their veins, and one by one the men began to pass away, starting with Mister Fitzjames and despite his pleas to have his body used to feed the men, Crozier refused to make that a reality and he refused to leave any of the sick behind. Because it was all about holding onto what they knew was right, so that they could hold their heads high once they returned to civilization.

Which stood in stark contrast to Hickey’s mutineer camp. For these men were lost and starving and desperate, and when presented with an opportunity to eat an ailing member of the crew, Hickey was quick to jump upon it and pushed Dr. Goodsir to his own mental limits by asking him to serve as the butcher to a taboo and disturbing meal. If anything, this made for some supremely unsettling television since nothing was held back during this sequence of events and to compound matters further, Hickey still had vengeance on his mind as well. Because he also sent his boys out to bring back Captain Crozier to hammer home his superiority and he was successful in that endeavor. But despite that setback for the captain’s camp, they are still soldering on, thanks to the fact that Francis demanded that they carry out what is potentially his final order… to live.

If anything, this was a supremely hard episode to watch, for it was completely devoid of hope and joy since we were privy to both camps in their darkest hours. And truly, Hickey’s bold decision in this tale haunts you for certain because that is crossing the ultimate line when it comes to our humanity and our morals. But he did it none the less and that act, combined with his continued attempt to bend the captain to his will, removed any wonder to be found over the fact that the Northwestern Passage was discovered after all. Yet while this was a tough episode to sit through, there is still one more chapter in this tale to enjoy, and when one considers how this episode comes to a close and the fact that Lady Silence’s people are working to control and contain Tuunbaq to bring balance back to their land, this particular tale truly set the stage for a powerhouse finale. One that will likely wrap this story up in harrowing and stunning fashion and well, it’s best I get back to the ice as soon as possible, to see how this story comes to its end. Until next time. 

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