'Van Helsing' Season 4 Episode 5 review: 'Liberty or Death' reveals the truth behind Violet and Jack's origin and uncovers Hansen's greatest secret

This season has been teasing a greater connection to the Van Helsing legacy, in Violet(Keeya King) and Jack(Nicole Munoz), and the fifth episode, ‘Liberty or Death’, finally reveals just what that connection is. It’s a real turning point that would have completely overshadowed Hansen’s(Neal McDonough) big reveal if it wasn’t some incredible performances that stole the show. In the meanwhile, Axel(Jonathan Scarfe) enacts a plan to rescue Jolene(Caroline Cave) and Phil(Vincent Gale) but, predictably, things do not go according to plan.

Spoiler Warning: The following contains spoilers for Season 4, Episode 5 of ‘Van Helsing’

Fans have been waiting for an explanation as to why Violet and Jack have the same abilities that Vanessa has been shown to have, and the show gets to the heart of that mystery immediately with a pre-rising flashback. It is here that we see the first of the episode's revelations - Hansen’s ultimate goal has been to raise the Dark One and for that, he needs a Van Helsing. While he might not have the twins, it turns out that their genetic material was saved. That, combined with the seed of his strongest soldiers and the Dark One’s blood means he was able to make his own lab-grown Van Helsings. 

In the present, Hansen meets with Michaela, Bathory and Sam his office, and we find that not only is Hansen trying to raise the Dark One, he is, in fact, an ancient vampire. As the four vampires discuss their plans to bring the Dark One back, he reveals that he has his own Van Helsing, Violet, right there in the Denver facility. Later, at dinner alone with the other three vampires, we find out that Hansen’s true name is Wilhelm, and that he’s been hiding his true form to go undercover as a human for centuries. It’s a delight to see these four characters together, playing up their dark, sinister characters. There is an ease to their interaction - these are people at ease with immense power and are confident in their plans. 

Peeking through a door, Violet sees Hansen and his dinner guests drink the blood of a captured human. She runs but is noticed by Sam. He follows her but seems content to let her escape, for reasons unknown - though it is implied that he is using her to track Vanessa down. In the meanwhile, in between beatings from Max, Phil gets the chance to speak to his wife, who still blames him for murdering their daughters while he was a vampire. She refuses to let her son - who may also be Phil’s - anywhere near him, despite Phil’s promise to find a way for them to escape Loveland.

Jolene works on her own angle to escape. There is a tense scene with Max, in which Richard Harmon’s performance takes the spotlight, bringing all of Max’s unhinged paranoia and testosterone to the fore. Axel returns, trying to sneak in a bomb to blow Max up with, but when Max discovers it, Jolene shoots him in the head before he can do anything about it. With Max dead, Jolene, Axel, Phil, Jennifer, Owen and the sympathetic guard Jeremy are about to make their escape when Max appears with a gun, healing from his injuries right before everyone’s eyes. He takes Jennifer and Owen hostage, and drives away, but not before Jennifer tasks Phil with finding them again.

How Max is able to recover from his injuries, and even death, is yet to be revealed. Given how much he enjoys consuming the blue mineral that acts both as vampire repellant and drug, though, it’s safe to say that he’s some kind of modified human, not unlike Julius, or Phil. Whatever the story is, Max is even more dangerous than we thought. 

The origin of this season’s newest Van Helsings has huge repercussions for the season, and its journey towards the raising of the Dark One. It both strengthens and weakens Vanessa’s position. On the one hand, she has two new powerful allies to mentor, but on the other hand, with all these spare Helsings, the risk of death increases. After all, vampires only need one of them. 

'Van Helsing' Season 4 Episode 6 'Miles and Miles' will air on Syfy, November 1.