THE STRAIN Recap: Heads Go Flying [Ep. 202] – GeekMundo

THE STRAIN — Pictured: Jack Kesy as Bolivar. CR. Robert Sebree/FX

If you haven’t watched episode two of The Strain season 2, then you may want to read this later.  Okay, still here?  Let’s get it then!

THE STRAIN — “By Any Means” — Episode 202 (Airs July 19, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured (l-r): Corey Stoll as Ephraim Goodweather, Mia Maestro as Nora Martinez. CR: Michael Gibson/FX

I figured it would be hard to make the second episode as absolutely jaw-dropping as the first episode, but it was still a little too slow for my taste.  This was mainly because episode two focused on Eph (Corey Stoll, Ant-Man) and Nora (Mia Maestro, Hannibal) trying to find a cure for the vampire virus.  This was not in the book, but I understand why they opted to add this to the show.  Remember, the books are only a trilogy.  The Strain on TV is supposed to hit at least five seasons.  Still, it made things a bit boring, especially when the episode started so promisingly.

Episode one ended with Kelly (Natalie Brown, Bitten) taking charge of her little vampire minions/kids, so it was only fitting that we see her getting to know them.  It seems like she can read their minds or something, because one kid must have been thinking something like Oh, God her breath smells like hot dog water and earring backs, because she put that one right out of its misery.  I mean, who’s really winning here, though.  That kid went on to heaven, whereas she’s sleeping in sewers and God knows where else.

Read our recap of The Strain Season 2, Episode 1, in case you missed it.

We didn’t see The Master (Robert Maillet, Brick Mansions), but we did see a bit of Eichhorst (Richard Sammel) and Gabriel “I Flushed My Dick Down a Toilet” Bolivar (Jack Kesy), and as expected their exchange proves that Mr. Ken Doll Dick (credit to Black Girl Nerds for that term, guys), is being groomed for great things.

THE STRAIN — “By Any Means” — Episode 202 (Airs July 19, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: David Bradley as Abraham Setrakian. CR: Michael Gibson/FX

We were treated to a few flashbacks, but this time Setrakian (David Bradley, Game of Thrones) is much older, and is teaching at a university in Europe.  The flashback shows us how Setrakian and a wheelchair-bound Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde, Jumanji) manage to cross paths.  They appear to work together in the beginning to defeat The Master, and learn more about the vampire threat, but when they meet again in the present (later in the episode), Palmer thanks Setrakian for leading him to The Master.  Luckily, thanks to Fet (Kevin Durand, Vikings), Setrakian is able to get away when Palmer tries to have old Abe captured.

We also see how the moronic city government continues to allow the vampire threat to go unchecked, while they sit around, wringing their hands, and bickering.  One councilwoman is not having it, and she goes straight Howard Dean on their asses, telling the men in the room that she’s going to take the city back, block by block.

I appreciate her badassery, but oh, girl… Bless your heart.  Ask Dean how that worked out for him…

Now, about that butt shot… Fet and Dutch (Ruta Gedmintas, Help Point) go into some gym or sports complex, and proceed to relieve the pack of vampires living in the locker rooms of their heads, and tongues/suckers.  It was an awesomely shot scene, complete with swords flashing, vampires burning, and lights flashing like something out of the rave in the first Blade film.  Fet went all the way in, and showed a really brutal side that I want to see more of.

THE STRAIN — “By Any Means” — Episode 202 (Airs July 19, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Corey Stoll as Ephraim Goodweather. CR: Michael Gibson/FX

What’s the best way to unwind after killing a bunch of vampires?  By having sex in the swimming pool!  That’s how I unwind after I slay a pack of bloodsucking freaks.  That butt shot was for the ladies, however, because we got a full view of what Durand’s working with back there.  Let me tell ya, the guy clearly doesn’t miss doing squats on leg day.

It was a slow episode, but the ending made up for it.  Basically, Kelly has put out an APB on her kid, and Eph, so it’s time to go headhunting in episode three.  Ugh, she’s such an asshole even in death.

That’s it for this week, Strain fans.  Don’t miss our weekly live-tweets of the show every Sunday at 10 PM EST on Twitter (@GeekMundoNet)!