‘Firebite’ Recap: ‘Hero’s Life’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Firebite’. To revisit the last episode, click here.
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The Hero’s Journey is oft celebrated, simply because it is quite inspirational in nature. After all, watching an everyday person or a true hero embrace and champion the concept of good to keep others safe, sends one’s spirits soaring. Since such an act speaks to what we could be capable of as a species if we put aside our petty differences and embraced our better angels. Plus, watching a hero fight evil on the silver or small screen, is wonderful catharsis as well. Since it provides us with a sense of justice we don’t always enjoy in the real world. But alas, while these stories do indeed provide us with hope and joy, they are absolutely romanticized to the nth degree.

For in reality, The Hero’s Journey is as complex and complicated as anything else in life and all of its flaws and positives were put on display in the next episode of Firebite. For ‘Hero’s Life’ took the time to look at several different and unique heroic journeys, each of which offered up some fascinating insight on the complexities surrounding heroism, and the first of note, was Smokey’s. Because when faced with the reality that the vampire threat was growing… he decided it was up to him to play the hero and do something about this problem. Which in turn motivated him, to drop a big ol’ bomb inside the caves and detonate it; all in the hopes of torching the suckers down below. But alas, his decision did way more harm than good and his journey served to inform us of the fact that sometimes… the best heroic intentions can be ruined by impulsive and uninformed decisions.  

However, while Smokey was making plans to blow up the caves, Eleona’s ongoing fight with the Vampire King, led to another fascinating journey related to the episode’s central theme. Because at first glance, Eleona’s actions here… were quite heroic in nature. Since she held firm to her desire to not show her true vampire instincts and of course, she stood up to the King in the most impressive way imaginable. Really making it seem as though, she had finally turned a corner and was working toward a better tomorrow for herself and vampire-kind. But a powerful decision at the end of this tale, one that changes the course of this story permanently, made it clear that she was no hero and that she instead represented the reality that sometimes acts that appear to be heroic in nature… are grounded in selfishness and ego.  

But while those are some tough instances to swallow in regard to this theme, this is an episode that genuinely looked to explore every corner of heroism, both good and bad, and thanks to Kitty’s decision to risk her life and head into the caves to find Tyson and Shanika, alongside Shanika’s powerful decision at the end of this tale… we were able to learn what really drives heroism in this world. As it turns out, it isn’t some sort of calling or desire, it’s really grounded in necessity. Where danger pushes someone to step in and help their loved ones or be the champion for those in need, and that definitely offers the viewer a fresh perspective on heroism, and why perhaps we dress it up creatively. However, while that should have ended this episode on a supremely high note, this exploration was bittersweet more than anything else.

Because the ending of this story… was as powerhouse as it gets. Since it featured a stunning twist that no one saw coming and well, at this point, you’ve probably noticed this recap is heavily grounded in concepts over details and there is good reason for that. Because to spoil that ending and some of the more nuanced moments in this recap, would do you a great disservice. For all of those important moments, and their emotional gravity, need to be experienced first-hand. So, when you get a chance… watch this episode on AMC+, so you can be treated a powerful and intelligent and moving penultimate episode. One that outright sets the stage for what should be a stunning and incredible season finale. Until next time. 

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