‘The Terminal List’ Recap: ‘Transience’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘The Terminal List’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Normally when a manhunt is featured on television or in film, it’s quite the intense and thrilling affair. Where the hero is relentless in their pursuit of evil, to the point where they will push themselves to their absolute breaking point to ensure that justice is served and that good prevails and well… the epic nature of this hunt and the adrenaline surge it provides the audience with, is why this sticks around in crime thrillers and action and adventure movies. But every once in a while, you run into a story that decides to flip the script regarding this chase. Where say… the hero becomes the hunted and has to respond accordingly, as was the case in the next episode of The Terminal List on Prime Video.

For when we catch up with Lieutenant Commander James Reece in ‘Transience’, he is in a heap of trouble. For the authorities are hot on his tail and rightfully so. For he has committed an act of domestic terrorism, and justice is to be served and well… despite his skills in the field, having this many officers of the law chase him and surround him, leads to some tough moments. The kind where his car is basically reduced to bullet hole riddled rubble from the onslaught of weapons fire it receives and sadly, James takes a bullet as well. Forcing him to flee into the woods to find first aid care and a place to hunker down for the night… wherein he can ponder upon what to do with the waves of law enforcement heading his way.

But thankfully, he gets a lengthy respite to do just that, through rain, and that in turn allows for him to decide, to do his best to scare off those that are coming his way. So, there’s no chance of inflicting harm on innocent officers and so he can reach his final destination, a nearby river that will let him wash away from this madness so he can handle the next wave of names on his Terminal List and well, once he makes that decision is when this story takes quite the turn. Because just like that, he’s being hunted by former friends in the Navy Seals, and the FBI is with them. Making this segment of the story something of a grand homage to the 1982 film First Blood. Mainly because, much like John Rambo, James Reece does everything he can to not harm his fellow soldiers and the federal enforcers alongside them.

An act he is thankfully successful at, to the point where actually manages to inflict great harm upon himself to keep others safe, putting Reece at his absolute lowest here. Where all we can do is feel for him. Because this quest for revenge has gone sideways thus far and for a time, it truly seemed as though Reece was going to be caught and answer for his crimes. But a desperate man with nothing to lose will always find a way out, and in an explosive manner, one that required another act of kindness, James Reece did just that. And he quickly found his way back to the plane and Liz and eventually Ben, to undoubtedly prepare the next phase of his plan. One that will be the most difficult leg of the journey, now that it is clear who he is up against.

In the end however, this was just… an emotional story through and through. One that used the wilderness and that grand homage, and some heartbreaking mental breakdowns… to take us on that emotional rollercoaster. Where we were shouting out in worry or holding our breath in anticipation or feeling pure pity for James and well… there is nothing wrong with that. Since sometimes you just want to kick back and enjoy a story that moves you and the best part… is that this story kept James pure. For he had every chance to just let go and cause harm and trouble. But he refused to, for the enemy is who deserves his ire and well, it will be fascinating to see how he and Ben figure out a way to advance this plan for revenge… now that it involves some of his former superiors. Until next time.

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