‘See’ Recap: ‘Fresh Blood’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous Apple TV+ series, See, we talked at length about how the last episode… did an amazing job of breaking season one rules. For the story featured time jumps and stunning commentary on our modern world. Not to mention it kept implied trouble at bay and just all around, shocked the viewer from beginning to end. But alas, while it was wonderful to see this series just blaze trails and wow us at every turn, at some point a new show must follow the rules and offer us world-building and character development in season one and with Haniwa and Kofun of age, the next episode of this show opted to do just that. 
​
For ‘Fresh Blood’ brought a dark moment into the Alkenny world, by way of a baby that was deformed. An unfortunate surprise that some, well… Gether Bax really, decried as a curse from Baba Voss and Maghra for going against God’s will. But common sense and a rudimentary understanding of science, prevailed over his words and forced Baba Voss to do what he did not want to… and open up the tribe to the world. So that fresh genetic lines could enter the equation and the best way to do that was through the local festival. Which allowed for the audience to finally see what future Pennsylvania looks like, and how nature has slowly worked to reclaim what man built and we were also privy to a close-up view of tribal life in this world and how festivals of the future work. 

As for character development, well that came forth via tragedy at the festival. For Slavers, individuals that steal people and sell them into servitude, found Kofun when he stepped away from a cruel ritual at the festival and he was immediately moved in line with others to be sold. Which of course, put the family on alert and on the trail of those very Slavers, to save Kofun from a horrible fate. And when they finally arrived at the final destination of the kidnapped… Baba Voss opened up about his past and the kind of man he was and the kind of man he would need to be on this day. Giving us great insight into his journey and the man he wants to become and how great a warrior and human he is. Since he ripped those Slavers to shreds in the name of family and safety. 

However, while all of that made for some fascinating and powerful moments, this is a story that still managed to parallel our modern world and set the stage for more trouble. For Haniwa’s newfound knowledge and skill set forced a humbling moment between her and her father. Where he reminded her of the importance of equality, something that this series has hammered home since day one and as for the trouble… well that came forth via the Payan Kingdom. For as Tamacti June prepared to end his own life as penance for the failure of letting Jerlamarel roam free in the world, the message in a bottle that was discovered in the last episode, made its way into the Queen’s hands. Prompting her to order her old friend back into service for one last fight. 

Which is the perfect way to set the stage for an epic fight. Since a rejuvenated Tamacti Jun will work with incredible focus and ferocity to bring the sanctuary to its end in an effort to capture the twins. But while we wait for that fight to arrive, we can celebrate one quality tale. One that informed us that this series can be quite versatile in nature, since it can easily provide us with familiar moments or something brave and bold, and well… it’s a good thing the familiar stuff was present here. Just because it really did lead to some quality world-building and some epic moments for certain, the kind that the series handled at just the right time, since the ugly stuff undoubtedly awaits us now that the Payan Kingdom’s vast army is back on the march. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch