We’ve now entered the second half of this season of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. The paths of our main characters have all started to re-converge after the split at the end of last season, so let’s take a look at the effect of this convergence in this week’s episode, “Bizarre Tales.”
The episode opens with Sex Machine in the middle of his namesake act. We learn that he’s taken up residence inside the RV formerly owned by the Fullers, and the Nine Lords are none too happy with how slow he’s been in solving their problem. This cold open is pretty brief, but we get a surprising amount of information about the professor that adds a little more depth to his character. I mention it a lot, but I’ve really been enjoying how much time we’ve gotten to spend with so many side characters this season, and I hope that this trend continues throughout the run of the show.
After a brief flashback to a conversation that Freddie had last season with Earl, we jump over to Freddie’s current investigation with Katie Fuller. The connection between these two has been shown in a great way in the past couple of episodes, and I love that Freddie’s role on the show has, largely, become that of our conduit to From Dusk Till Dawn‘s mythology. It’s been working extremely well this season.
A highlight of “Bizarre Tales” was an incredibly uncomfortable dinner meeting between Seth and Sonja and Richie and Santanico. It’s fun that the brothers are back together after half of a season apart, and their respective significant others are a cool addition to the established relationships. Sonja has started to play a much larger role on From Dusk Till Dawn than I expected when she was first introduced, but her character brings a strength to scenes that adds an air of gravitas to what may have otherwise been lacking. I also absolutely love the feel of the show when Santanico and Sonja are together.
One of the most unfortunate things to happen during the first season of From Dusk Till Dawn was the death of Earl McGraw in the very first episode. Even though his character “supported” Freddie through flashbacks and memories throughout the season, we never got to spend the time with him that his character deserved. Thankfully, “Bizarre Tales” finally attempts to correct this misstep by tying in Earl with a mystery that Freddie and Katie are investigating from the past. In addition to Don Johnson reprising his role as Earl, we get to see Johnson’s real-life son Jesse Johnson appear as a young Earl in flashbacks. The younger Johnson, surprisingly, proves to be just as impressive of a presence as his father, and it made me realize that I wouldn’t mind seeing a miniseries or limited series about Earl McGraw in the 1980s (when the flashbacks take place). I can’t believe how impressed I am with the amount of interesting backstory the show has managed to cultivate this season, but there’s definitely enough for From Dusk Till Dawn to explore for many years to come.
“Bizarre Tales” featured yet another appearance of Danny Trejo’s The Regulator, and, once again, the character manages to be one of my favorite things about the season. We also get the first appearance of Celestino Oculto, another of the Nine Lords (played by Hemky Madera), who factors into Freddie’s investigation.
“Bizarre Tales” was a fantastic return to form for From Dusk Till Dawn, and it finally felt as great as the first couple of episodes of the season. A ton of world-building took place here, and the episode’s story, while small, was extremely well-written. This has been such a good season of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series that I’m sad there are only four more episodes left.
What did you think of “Bizarre Tales?” How does this season of From Dusk Till Dawn compare to the first? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below, and tune in next week for another review!
[Photos via El Rey Network]
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