‘The Terminal List’ Recap: ‘The Engram’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Terminal List’.
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One doesn’t have to be a soldier to understand the fact, that risks are involved with that line of work. For combat in any capacity is dangerous and one could easily surmise that the individuals that signed up to fight and are plunged into a situation where weapons will need to be fired, understand the reality that not everyone is going to come home from that particular operation. For that is the price of freedom and all will stand tall in the face of the end. But what none of those brave soldiers are prepared for, is failure. Because whether you’re a fan of the United States Military or not, one thing we can all agree upon is that they are the finest fighting force on the planet. One that rarely misses the mark. But mistakes do happen from time to time, and they can potentially have a powerful impact upon those who walk away from failure, as is explored in the new Prime Video series… The Terminal List.
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For this is a story that introduces us to Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander James Reece, and when we catch up with him in ‘The Engram’, he is in the midst of preparing for an important operation. One that will bring about the end of an evil man courtesy of a flawless plan… one that quickly falls to pieces. For shortly after James and his unit arrive in the depths of a compound housing their target, it abundantly becomes clear that someone knows they are coming, and they’ve set the stage for a trap. One that is sprung forth in a vicious manner and results in the death of all but one of James’ elite unit and leaves him badly injured. Which of course, means that this operation is nothing short of a complete and utter failure and the loss of the last member of his team to suicide, leaves James in quite the dark and destroyed place mentally. 

Because this is something that no amount of training could ever prepare a commander for and well, that leads to a powerful exploration of what this kind of loss can do to a leader, that is taught that failure isn’t an option. Which as it turns out, such a reality more or less breaks James. To the point where he is outright beside himself and lost and even his return home is unceremonious and sorrowful because this wasn’t supposed to happen. Success was supposed to be the name of the game and well, kudos to this show for taking the time to add some real humanity to this type of story. Since often times in stories such as these, failure engenders a need for outright revenge from a leader of James’ caliber. But what truly makes this aspect of the story so fascinating and so engaging… is the quest for the truth that James engages in regarding what went wrong. Since that leads to some incredible surprises.

For what we saw in that catacomb versus what James is told when he returns stateside, indicates something is wrong with his mind. Which becomes quite the important and unexpected plot point as this episode continues along, one that scratches the surface of the toll of combat on the human mind. But alas, that does have to go the wayside in order to make this the thriller as advertised. Because the more James explores what happened on that fateful day, the more he begins to realize that something is afoul regarding this whole mission. A reality that is reinforced by the powerhouse ending of this tale, wherein James is forced to fight for his life when assassins come to find him, a twist that also leads to more heartbreak and strife for James… when he discovers what those very monsters accomplished within the walls of his home before they came for him.

Which one could say is a bit of a cop-out storytelling wise since it establishes to a certain extent that Reece isn’t losing his mind or cracking. Moving the story away from what appears to be the central theme of dealing with failure and the possible mental break that would accompany such a disaster. But in reality, it actually manages to reinforce the possibility that James is falling apart, since we get no confirmation that assassins came to kill him nor is there any confirmation, they took part in that heinous act at James’ home. Which means the next chapters in this engaging and unique tale, may toy with this further and really explore a potential break for James. But if that isn’t the case and this is real… that too creates a fascinating character study revolving around a man that’s lost it all and what comes next for him in that instance, and well, that makes this quite the juicy series premiere. One grounded in realism and mystery and it is that mystery that compels us to continue the journey, so we can learn the truth at last. Until next time.

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