‘Mystery Road: Origin’ Recap – ‘Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Mystery Road: Origin’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Acorn TV series, Mystery Road: Origin, we talked at length about how it was quickly apparent… that this show was going to explore in grand detail, what pushed Jay Swan to be a bit more of a seasoned and gruff man in his later years. Primarily it seemed, through Jay’s troubled relationship with his father. Since the series premiere made it clear that they were not on the best of terms before Jay left, and they certainly weren’t on the best terms after his return and well… it just so happens that the next episode in this dynamic prequel, made a point to hammer home just how much of an impact Jay’s relationship with his father had upon his life and his future. 

But not before… it took the time to really dig deep into the robberies at hand. Simply because the one that ended the last episode, grew in scope and concern. Since the Ned Kelly Gang stole Max’s police cruiser and used it to lift a cattle truck and turn them loose upon the land. Which led Jay and the rest of the force, to investigate a group of men called the Sons of the Soil. Since they had the numbers to pull off such a heist and enough unfortunate ties to Neo-Nazism that such anarchy made sense. Which brought forth an epic arrest and a potentially botched case thanks to Max’s incompetence. Plus, this episode also took the time to expand upon Anousha’s desire to reopen the case regarding Mary’s fallen sibling. 

But in between all those fascinating moments, there was of course, Jay, and the problems he was experiencing with his father. Because he was making every single effort to repair their rift, which was vast, and he was struggling to see progress come forth with that. Not from a lack of trying, mind you, since he was often at his dad’s place to see him. It was more so, that dear old dad refused to engage. Because he was rarely home, and anyone that Jay tried to talk to, to check in on his whereabouts, had little to offer him regarding an answer. But that didn’t stop Jay from trying time and time again to be near him, and he kept a cool head about this regardless of how much it hurt him and well… an invite to a classy ball in town, finally allowed for the two of them to engage and potentially have a moment of healing.

For the two of them could have talked and spent time in an environment that could have kept Jack from wandering off at last. But when the time came for the ball, Jack was of course, a no show… and that made life difficult for Jay. In part, emotionally, since he was deeply wounded by his father’s decision to sit this out, but also because… Jack embarrassed himself by not being there since the point of the ball was to award him for his work with the town of Jardine. Which of course, put Jay in a sour place and pushed him to confront his father at his home. Which in turn, brought forth a pivotal moment for Jay. For when he arrived out there, he came to find his father planted in the dirt face down, and he was not moving in the slightest.

Which is the kind of moment, that can put darkness into our hearts. Because that leads to guilt over not doing enough for someone that meant the world for us and of course… of a longing for what could have been. The kind that keeps us up at night and makes us rough around the edges for a good long while. Granted, some healing can come out of that, so that’s likely not the only thing that made Jay so jaded, but this was likely the genesis point of that journey and it compels us to continue it. Because we simply must know every single moment that makes this man who he will become, and it will be genuinely fascinating to see how this impacts Jay in the weeks to come and of course… see other moments form a man grounded in good but aching within. Until next time.

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