'Wynonna Earp' Season 4 Episode 2 Review: An epic conclusion to the Garden arc sets up newer problems
Spoilers for 'Wynonna Earp' Season 4 Episode 2 'Friends in Low Places'
The adventures of Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano) have, up until now, been a far cry from Buffy Summers' "She saved the world a lot," but as of Season 4, things have gotten downright apocalyptic. The Buffy comparisons don't stop there, as one of humanity's earliest enemies seems to have a penchant for taking the form of loved ones much in the way of the First, and the Earps are now playing with the fate of the world in their hands. Unlike Buffy, however, the Earps and their loved ones have had no qualms with putting Destiny back in its place, even if the world might be the one that pays the price.
This episode, with the help of Rachel Valdez (Martina Ortiz-Luis), Wynonna Earp battles her way through zombie scientists to rescue Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell) and finally make her way to the Garden. She's not a moment too soon, as a lack of a mortal's regular blood sacrifice has managed to release the show's Big Bad, the Eve of Biblical myth. Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon) and Waverly Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) have been doing their best to stop Eve, but doing so almost meant the end of Waverly's mortal life. Though the three managed to escape the Garden and return to Earth, time has skipped 18 months into the future, and an escaped Eve appears to have been up to some very old tricks.
This episode brings an end to the Garden arc, and does so with all the stakes and excitement of a season finale. One could almost suspect that the makers of 'Wynonna Earp' had been preparing for a special two-hour movie to end the series with had Season 4 not been picked up, as the past two episodes have had everything that Earpers could ask for. Action, jokes, hilarity, a sex scene that absolutely earns the show's new late-night time slot, and a deep, earnest love that fuels every one of these characters doing their best to save each other.
The concept of Eve as a villain is pure genius. It's a credit to the teamwork of the cast that they're collectively able to make the shape-changing villain feel like her own unique personality despite never once really showing her true face. While the question of why Eve is so hell-bent on mankind's destruction remains unanswered, the motivations behind the villains of 'Wynonna Earp' have always been a slow burn of a reveal. The show prioritizes character over backstory, and Eve's unapologetic impatience with everything that isn't about her ending the world is a delight to see.
Several strong scenes stood out in this episode, such as Waverly high of a lack of oxygen, sniggering as she punches out zombies. Doc Holliday gets some shining moments of earnestness as he fights an Eve who takes on the faces of those he loves most. Though he's unable to say the words, his feelings are clear, and Wynonna convincing him that she's the real deal by calling out their safeword is peak 'Wynonna Earp'.
The most powerful scene of all, however, is Wynonna talking her sister down from a truly majestic angelic throne that has all appropriate gravitas of a world-ending scenario that does a lot with a minimal set. The photography, the music, the bare but deliberate set design and the performance make for a powerful, heartwrenching scene that speaks to the Earps' sisterly bond.
It's a rush of an episode, with danger at every turn, a fast-paced story, a great, unique new villain, and several one-liners that are sure to have the fans squeal with triumph, and delight. Season 4's opening arc has been a roller coaster ride that's never slowed down once, though with the 18 month time skip (doubtless made, in part, so that the Earp team could keep their pop culture reference jokes current despite a 2-year gap in seasons), it seems like the troubles of this season are just beginning.
The next episode of 'Wynonna Earp' airs August 9, on Syfy.