Powers Review: Slain Dragons (Season 2 Episode 9)

Kutter is alive!

Thank the television gods, because he’s going to be just fine.

Though we don’t see Kutter in this week’s episode of Powers entitled “Slain Dragons,” we are treated to updates on his condition throughout the hour, all culminating with his calling Pilgrim in the final moments.

Pilgrim is, of course, relieved to know that her partner-turned-lover is doing well, but she doesn’t answer his call. Why, you ask?

She’s turning into a freaking Power.

I’ll give you a few seconds to freak out…

I know, right?

This will change EVERYTHING. To this point, Pilgrim’s been our window to discovering powers. She’s been tough, seen the realities of Powers, and been the moral compass for the Powers Division.

Pilgrim has been experiencing change at every turn this season, from finding love to losing faith in her father, and figuring out whether or not the law is black and white. This change will push her even further, and may leave her changing her mind about many of things she thinks she believes in.

Susan Heyward has been a bright star throughout Season 2, allowing the audience to feel every one of Pilgrim’s emotions. If I had control over awards in any way, I’d gladly hand one to her. She kills it every week.

I should stop gushing for a moment, back up a bit, and talk about how Pilgrim came to this predicament.

Supershock is losing his mind.

What we’ve suspected for weeks now is coming to the forefront. He’s not quite right. His actions are taking a drastic turn for the worse this week, as he kills nearly a dozen Powers in his quest to find Morrison.

It’s still unclear exactly WHAT is wrong with Supershock.

Here’s what we do know: he’s told Walker that he’s no stranger to troubles with the mind. (This is a mind bender, for sure.) In whatever state his mind goes to, he isn’t aware that Janis is dead. Lastly, he can’t control his anger in this state, making him the loosest canon that’s ever existed in this world.

While everyone is trying to figure out how to stop the world’s strongest Power ever in Supershock, Walker is realizing that his own powers appear to be making a comeback. (Hence, the headaches. I think we were all pretty clear that it was headed in this direction, right?)

There isn’t much more to say about that this week, but with Pilgrim now bearing a nice set of glowing purple eyes, I’d be willing to bet it will be a topic of conversation next week.

Supershock has a meeting with Calista that shakes her to her core, and ends with him trying to murder her.

I really thought, based on Calista’s very disturbing and urgent reaction to their encounter, that Supershock may have sexually assaulted her or something along those lines. Calista’s fear and anxiety are front and center as she avoids telling anyone what actually happens when she and Supershock meet.

Thankfully, Walker steps in to give a little context into what Calista is feeling, and we know that there was no assault in that manner.

Calista is most shaken because she’s lost her hero. Again.

While she can easily put on Retro Girl’s clothes and share the same idealistic attitude as the heroine, to see her other hero, Supershock, become violent and irrational is more than Calista can handle.

It’s perfectly played. There is a loss of innocence when you have a harsh reality check, and the part of you that holds someone (or something) in high regard is soul-crushed to discover it isn’t what you thought it was. That person might not be who you thought they were.

Olesya Rulin nails it, that moment when the glass shatters and reality hits you. I can’t help but wonder who (or what) shattered her own ideals in real-life, because it was so well done.

Pilgrim captures Morrison, but we don’t see it. I wonder if there will be a flashback, and if there will be more to the story of how she makes him willingly go to the Powers Division, with a piece of tape over his mouth.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up Dr. Death, who has been painfully absent while becoming a daddy, apparently.

I know that David Ury’s moments on the show are few and far between, but it’s really just great comedy when he has them.

Death’s immediate departure upon discovering he’d been replaced was hilarious, and his shouting into a dead Power’s face is probably one of the best laugh-out-loud moments of summer television season.

Where do I suggest a doctors spin-off? I’d watch a buddy-doctor comedy…what could it be called? Counting Corpses? Power-less? Morgue to Love? We’ll work on a title.

Heading into the season finale next week, I’m not sure that every question I have will be answered. I can only hope for a satisfying end to what has been an excellent season of television.

Powers fans, what did you think of this episode? What the heck is happening to Supershock? Are you relieved that Kutter is going to be just fine? What’s Pilgrim’s power going to be? Sound off in the comments below!

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New episodes of Powers stream every Tuesday on the PlayStation Network.

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