‘See’ Season 1 Episode 4 ‘The River’: Baba Voss’ modern jacket with impeccable machine stitching is an eyesore and plot disappoints
The blindness of the cast seems to have extended to the costume department of Apple TV+'s 'See'. For most of season 1, episode 4, that sees Baba Voss (Jason Momoa) flee with his family from the witchfinder Tamacti Jun (Christian Camargo), Jason Momoa wears a modern jacket with impeccable machine stitching and steel eyelets on its hood.
The little ring of steel shines like a modern eyesore among all the furs and tribal trinkets and once again, we feel the actors are all play-acting this weird skit in drama class. It is a little detail to be sure, but as they say "for want of a nail", or in this case the non-want of an eyelet. And, let's not even start on the narrative holes.
This episode takes off just after where the last one ended. After Baba Voss kills the slavers holding his son Kofun (Archie Madekwe), the Alkenny have returned to their isolated home grounds. Only, after creating such a big fuss at the sex festival (let's just call it what it is), Tamacti Jun (Christian Camargo) with Queen Kane's army are on their tail.
Up to his old tricks in this episode is Gether Bax (Mojean Aria), the most annoying character ever. Not just because he is the Judas among the lot but also because of the unnecessary incest plot with his aunt and his plot armor for the last three episodes as he survives, again and again, when he wouldn't ordinarily.
After riling up the tribe against them to make them leave before the witchfinder reaches them, Bax is caught by Kofun. Haniwa (Nesta Cooper) urges Kofun to kill him but he does not. He lets Bax go, allowing him to flee back just in time to run into Tamacti Jun to betray Baba Voss, family and associates, again.
In the next scene, Bax's betrayal leads all non-Voss family members on the escape with them to die, except Bow Lion (Yadira Guevara-Prip) and Paris (Alfre Woodard). Scriptwriters, don't be in such a hurry to kill off people who seem to have no plot purpose -- it hampers believability.
Paris is the wise woman who has to hand over Jerlamarel's missive to the twins. So she can't die. Bow Lion, of course, survives because she is the tribe's "Shadow" who can spy among blind people without being heard.
Haniwa finally does the smart thing and shoots Bax with an arrow. Tamacti Jun kills him off moments later, seconds after his story purpose was exhausted. Baba Voss pilots his surprisingly well-made raft (which he made alone without the help of his twins. Why? Don't ask) out into deep waters.
Tamacti Jun gnashes his teeth, gives orders to kill the rest of the Alkenny and says they will continue the hunt by following the river. Baba Voss has a vote after the missive Paris hands to Kofun tells them to follow the river to the Jerlamel's new "kingdom" for the sighted.
Kofun and Haniwa are to be their royalty. The twins and Paris are excited. But mother Maghra (Hera Hilmar) is the proverbial wet rag who wants them to build a life together and in secret, and forget Jerlamel.
Baba Voss agrees with her but Maghra gets vetoed because Haniwa throws a big ol' tantrum. The girl does not get democracy. Bow Lion agrees, just to swing the vote and get her to shut up.
Up till now, Kofun and Haniwa are being set up as a contrast to each other -- to explore the relative ills and goods of being sighted with Kofun looking to use his gift to heal and Haniwa to wage war.
They settle in for the night and after Kofun expressly says he will "watch" the fire, he walks off into the woods. Why? Don't ask. But it allows a strange creature to steal all their weapons at night. The mysterious creature also steals the mysterious red pouch that Maghra had hidden in the depths of her fur-lined bosom.
The next morning, Baba Voss, weaponless wants to skedaddle ASAP but Maghra has lost her pouch and it is so important to find it that it is worth risking her family's safety. And she won't even tell anyone why it is so important, except that it has something to do with her father.
Then, the mysterious figure who stole their weapons makes an appearance. We'll probably get to know who it is next week. Likely the twin's grandfather or Mister Jerlamarel himself.
Queen Kane shuts of the dam and the cascading water sluice in a suicidal move that will destroy her palace to follow her "love" Jerlamarel. From the sinister, eccentric figure of the first three episodes, she is reduced to a deranged woman with a "broken heart", who is willing to destroy her kingdom and sacrifice her power and the loyalty of her court just because she is pining for a man. It's a regressive trope and disappointing. Just like how this show has been till now.
'See' is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
