'Raised by Wolves' Episode 8 Review: Marcus and Mother's metamorphisis into monsters is macabre
Spoilers for 'Raised by Wolves' Season 1 Episode 8 'Mass'
Trigger warning for those of you who haven't seen it: this episode is not for the faint of heart. The latter half of 'Raised by Wolf' Season 1 has grown darker by the minute and while the series hasn't shied away from graphic violence, 'Mass' pushes new boundaries for its audiences' comfort level. Whether your blood is red or white, there's a little horror for everyone as all hope for a happy ending is burned to the ground.
'Mass' sets a remarkably gory tone, starting with a scene where an unhinged Marcus (Travis Fimmel) has a nightmare about cutting his own face off to find his true identity. In the dream, however, there's nothing beneath his new facade but his own bloodied skull. Caleb is gone and Marcus' new life is all that he has. All that's left is for Marcus to embrace is himself and as sure as the sun rises (praise be to Sol), that's exactly what Marcus does with a zeal that ought to terrify even the most devout of Mithraic followers. It certainly terrifies Sue (Niamh Algar), who realizes that Marcus is a lost cause and that it's time for her and Paul (Felix Jamieson) to cut their losses and make a run for it, but Marcus is having none of it.
If the last episode was all about showing us how bad the Mithraic can get when they're on top, then this episode takes the Mithraic threat one step further. The man they've placed their faith in is quite clearly unhinged - paranoid, desparate and several steps beyond his wit's end. Unlike Mother's (Amanda Collin) descent into madness, however, there is very little that's sympathetic about Marcus' turnabout, despite the fact that Mother has done worse things. Mother's motivations have always been tied to her blossoming humanity, and her hope for its future; Marcus is lashing out in desperation with all the power of organized religion at his fingertips, desperately trying to find a happy ending for his inner lost boy. It's a haunting story, made tragic with a quick flashback to a better Marcus, but ultimately the story of a man falling prey to his own insecurities isn't exactly covering new ground.
Mother's journey continues to be the more compelling story. The androids' side of 'Raised by Wolves' has always been the better part of the show and this episode is no different. In fact, the new android Karl (Carel Nel) steals the show as the put-upon, C-3PO-like medical droid talking Mother through a diagnosis with rather big implications. Mother is going through some changes and the reveal that she is somehow pregnant with some kind of carbon-silicon hybrid turns the whole show on its head.
There's an added layer of intrigue to Mother's pregnancy - the Sim that she plugged herself into is based off of her own memories, and programming. How much is the voice in her head leftover programming from Campion Sturges (Cosmo Jarvis) and how much of it is her own desperate need to be the Mother who saves humankind?
The episode has a lot of smaller moments that are worth appreciating. The mystery of Father's (Abubakar Salim), the developing relationship between Paul and Campion (Winta McGrath), Campion stepping up into a more heroic role and of course, the unexpected but welcome moments of levity from poor Karl. The core themes of the episode are paralleled in fascinating ways, however, as 'Mass' looks at the horrors that arise from the voices inside one's head - voices that may or may not be real. Whether it's the unhinged violence of a desperate man, or the cold, logical transformation into a monster that needs blood to survive, the message is clear: once the voices start telling you you're meant for greater things, the story can only end in blood.
'Raised by Wolves' will return October 1, on HBO Max.
