This is gonna be a strange review. When I heard that Simon was getting his own backstory episode. I was excited. For much of series 2's run, I was under the impression that Simon was the only character I had any respect for. Kieren had turned into a whiny little brat and Amy wasn't on screen enough to leave an impression- sadly that seems to have made its way into this very episode. We get more of her relationship with Philip and of course, a revelation that had been built up to, and it's a very touching scene- where while out camping, Amy is able to feel raining on her face. Sadly, it feels like it's come mere episodes too late
Much of the episode is spent at Norfolk, following the experiments performed on Simon. The episode devotes much time and graphic detail to Simon and all the vicious torture and experiments on him, and it's very hard to watch nonetheless. The problem being here that they're the only interesting scenes. Simon's backstory aside from the torture just isn't interesing at all. We get what could be an emotional scene- Simon is welcomed back into his home by his father and is promptly kicked out for killing his mother in his untreated state, but it's so choppily handled and unemotional
There's also a pretty Unimpressive subplot about Kieren being accused of freeing rabids. Except its so hamfisted and forgettable, it may as well not even be in the show. The parents sudden whiplash from "it's okay son" to "you did it and you're different now you are insane" just isn't well handled enough. It's a shame because given how much suspense is built up, aside from flashbacks nothing happens in this episode. Simon spends much of it cowering in a hotel room corner. But at least it's better than what comes next
Much of the episode is spent at Norfolk, following the experiments performed on Simon. The episode devotes much time and graphic detail to Simon and all the vicious torture and experiments on him, and it's very hard to watch nonetheless. The problem being here that they're the only interesting scenes. Simon's backstory aside from the torture just isn't interesing at all. We get what could be an emotional scene- Simon is welcomed back into his home by his father and is promptly kicked out for killing his mother in his untreated state, but it's so choppily handled and unemotional
There's also a pretty Unimpressive subplot about Kieren being accused of freeing rabids. Except its so hamfisted and forgettable, it may as well not even be in the show. The parents sudden whiplash from "it's okay son" to "you did it and you're different now you are insane" just isn't well handled enough. It's a shame because given how much suspense is built up, aside from flashbacks nothing happens in this episode. Simon spends much of it cowering in a hotel room corner. But at least it's better than what comes next
