Primeval: New World Episode 12 – The Sound of Thunder Pt 1
Part 1 of the Primeval: New World season finale is reminiscent of the original UK show from which it’s spun off. The development of the characters has been a stand-out feature since the beginning but now we’re seeing the familiar involvement with the government and adventures through the anomalies, setting us up for much more conspiracy and intrigue!
I do think Ange believes she’s doing the right thing. She sees the potential disasters that Colonel Hall’s plan could bring about and sees Evan’s involvement as the only solution. It’s a valid theory, but Evan needs to make her see that avoiding changing anything in the first place is the only way to avert disaster. I get the sense that her feelings for Evan are a driving force behind her decisions, whether she realises it or not, and I hope she starts to see the error of her ways. I thought her attempted manipulation of an ailing Toby was a low point for a character that I like and I want to see her redeem herself soon.
Photo courtesy of Primeval New World
Leeds is a very conflicted man. He feels a sense of loyalty to Evan and the team because he believes in the work they’re doing, but he’s also compelled by his loyalty to the military. He feels he’s doing the right thing by being honest with Ange and it’s she who betrays the location of the anomaly junction to Colonel Hall. How he handles this situation could be a turning point for Leeds, for better or for worse.
Now that Toby has designed a hand-held anomaly device that seems to be identical to the one the alternative Mac brought through, it appears we’ve been put onto a path to see the story unfold as to how Mac got there in the first place. He and Toby are on the trail of the ARC in London which makes me think the timelines are converging.
Photo courtesy of Primeval New World
It’s rare for Toby to see time in the field and I really like how protective Evan is of her when she’s in dangerous situations. Going to Ange for help when Toby gets injured must be so hard for him and once again we see his growth when he puts the people on his team ahead of his own discomfort. Crystal Lowe does a fantastic job of portraying the fear of her situation coupled with her desire to help the team and keep their information secret. As her condition deteriorates we see some beautiful moments between her and Mac. This is a relationship I really enjoy, and Danny Rahim manages to evoke so much emotion in scenes with no dialogue. The appearance of Lexa Doig as the doctor caught between the commands of Colonel Hall and Ange was a nice surprise. I always enjoy the sass and strength she brings to characters and this performance is no exception.
Evan might finally have his closure about Brooke. By finding the anomaly that eventually caused her death, he gets one more chance to save her but he passes it up. Part of it could be seeing the perils of changing the past, but I also think Dylan’s disappointment when he tells her it might be better if they’d never met shows him that he has friends who rely on him. It’s an impossible choice for him but he’s grown so much since the first episode that following Dylan through the anomaly is the only logical choice for him.
The brontoscorpio was an amazing creature. It’s another case of me completely forgetting this is a computer generated image, which could be the reason I’ve been having nightmares since I watched the episode! The landscape Evan and Dylan follow the scorpion to is brutal and primitive, an inspired location choice. Niall Matter and Sara Canning do an incredible job portraying the fear of being parted when the rock slide separates them. While Evan says all the right things to make sure Dylan takes the cure back to Toby, the terror in his face is undeniable and having him alone in an unknown time, trapped with an enraged, injured creature is a great cliffhanger. And by great I mean cruel and incredibly stressful! I envision part 2 of this finale to be just as emotional, fast-paced and revealing as part 1. I’m bracing myself already!
Primeval: New World airs Tuesday on SPACE at 10e/7p
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