‘The Peripheral’ Recap: ‘Haptic Drift’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Peripheral’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating new Prime Video series, The Peripheral, we talked at length about how the show’s series premiere, did a wonderful job of pondering upon the dangers of technology and escape. Since the Fisher family was in essence, lost in technology and found themselves in a great deal of trouble because of their reliance upon it. For they were being hunted by unknown individuals and dealing with all kinds of stunning revelations, and while their adventure ended on a slight high note, courtesy of cash and calm and good news revolving around Flynne and Burton’s, sick mother. This family was still beside themselves and unsure of what comes next and rightfully so. 
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For dealing with technology related problems leaves no easy solutions, especially when time travel and mysterious shadow individuals are involved and well… what comes next is precisely where the next episode of this series thrived. Because Flynne and Burton had to figure out how to protect themselves in the present while they uncovered the secrets of the future and the best way to do that… would be to split up and handle two different time periods as once. Obviously, Flynne would venture back to the future to see what she could learn about those hunting her and why they were so hellbent on attacking the Fisher family for doing a job and nothing more… while Burton… handled their present-day problem.

Specifically… Pickett. For he received that giant payoff from forces unknown in ‘Haptic Drift’ and well, Burton knew they had to do something to get ahead of the temptation and put the fear of God into a man that has done ungodly things in the name of his empire. Which led to a supremely tense meeting between the two. Wherein Burton was able to accomplish all that thanks to two simple understandings. One that, Pickett would receive a fat weekly payment to steer clear of the Fisher family stead and if he decided to break that aspect of the deal… he would simply die at the trigger pull of Burton’s brothers in arms. Because they were ready and waiting to help him, and well… for the moment that kept the peace so Flynne could do her thing.

Which in this episode, involved spending a lot of time with Wilf in the future, to instead uncover exactly what happened to Aelita, a search that yielded minimal results at first. For she was either gone from this life or well-hidden. Which instead allowed for us to learn more about Wilf and his relationship to Aelita and the troubles he’s seen in this troublesome future and of course, our time spent in tomorrow… made it clear that Cherise Nuland is ruthless and relentless and will stop at nothing to get near Aelita for reasons that we still don’t know yet. But it would seem that ruthlessness is related to why the Fishers are under fire. Since it would appear that anyone that pokes about with Aelita is enemy number one in her eyes and only trouble will follow that. 

In fact, plenty of trouble seems to be on the agenda for this family. Since we also came to see that Pickett isn’t quite done with the family just yet. He’s eager to flex his muscles and take back his agency and that will lead to great conflict down the line. But for now, we can celebrate nothing short of a world building story. One designed to really flesh out this powerful universe so it is more than just a cyberpunk story with flashy visuals. This will allow for it to become a meaningful sci-fi epic, one that will leave us pondering upon so much and well, mission accomplished there for certain. For this was an engaging episode through and through, one that really did immerse us in this wild world nicely and made a point to delay some of the answers we seek to keep things mysterious, and it will be interesting to see what truths and conflicts await us as season one of this dynamic new series continues along. Until next time.

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