The Outpost Review: Not In This Kingdom (Season 2 Episode 3)

With all the twists, turns, and treason, the theme of The Outpost Season 2 Episode 3, “Not In This Kingdom,” is true colors. So many characters tip their hand and reveal to us a majority of the cards they are playing with. For a few of them, it is rather ugly.

Right out of the gate, I must warn you that this review is going to be packed with spoilers. I normally try and do my best not to give too much away, but with this episode, it is nearly impossible to say what needs to be said without the proper context.

Now with that out of the way, let’s get on with the good stuff. 

The first character to show a new depth to himself is Tobin. From the get-go, he always felt slimy.

Every chance he gets he tries to grease up Gwynn with his slick and cocky moves. He continues to do so in this episode, and that is really no surprise. His true lack of decency shines through when he proves he is also a coward.

When the suggestion of a simple card game becomes part of the discussion, one would think that the ever arrogant Tobin would bask in the excitement to win everything he wants in just a couple of quick hands. His willingness to back down so easily shows a lack of backbone.

This really makes me think that Gwynn and the Outpost really shouldn’t take this man and his armies help. If a group of men is led by someone who is afraid of a fair fight, then it shows the whole lot of them may not be able to be trusted either. While you can’t always choose your leader, you can choose the commands that you follow.

Tobin: I’m laughing at how much you need me.

While Tobin may eventually prove me wrong about all the mistrustings I have for him, the character who appears will have no sort of redemption has to be Rebb.

Since her first appearance this season, it was hard to know exactly how to take her. After all, she is just another Blackblood trying to save her people. With each backhanded move, Rebb proves her motives are nothing less than sinister. 

When she doesn’t get what she wants, Rebb has no qualms about going behind Talon’s back and appealing to Gwynn herself. Although I guess this makes sense in and of itself, the lies she tells Gwynn shows the purely selfish ambition she has for her and her people. 

Even if the words she spews end up true in the end, an alliance with Talon makes much more sense than a battle. Rebb is clearly more worried about being the hero to her people more than anything else. A true hero doesn’t care about who gets the recognition — as long as justice is served. 

If these actions aren’t enough to convince you that Rebb is an unwelcomed guest, her lashing out at the Dragman seals the deal. 

I originally believed that Rebb and Talon would make a shakey alliance towards the end of the season. However, what unfolds here is just so awful, I know that Talon will never, ever let her guard down around Rebb again — no matter what the circumstances.

Speaking of the Dragman, she too reveals what her ultimate mission is. 

Her explanation to Talon about why she arrived in town with Dred back in Season 1 is quite logical. Even if Dred’s motives for finding Talon were less than pure, the Dragman still achieved her goal.

As she further explains why she so willingly went off with Rebb, it all becomes clear. This child with special powers is still just a child. 

Her innocence in this game these characters are playing has been overlooked for too long. Everyone assumed she was the enemy because she was alongside someone with a nefarious plan. 

This can be a learning lesson here folks. As cliche as it sounds, don’t judge a book by its cover — or even its surroundings for that matter.  Sometimes the purest of things can be found in the dirtiest of places. 

And with the statement of dirtiest of places, let me transition into the new dwelling of the very much alive Captain Garret Spears.

Okay, so the medical center Garret is in doesn’t appear dirty on the surface, but boy is it crawling with filth. The beautiful outside appearance goes a long way in covering up the misdeeds that are being done there.  

Poor Garret is being treated like a ping pong ball. I had high hopes that his return would be a victorious one, but alas, Garret’s body and soul get a complete breakdown. 

Yet even when he is facing certain death, he doesn’t relent on his faith in Gwynn. It would be understandable if Garret would just go along with his captors in order to survive. Heck, I would probably do it. 

Instead, he shows his bravery and loyalty by actually mocking those who torture him and throws their insults right back at them. 

This is the Garret I know and love. Not the guy that can’t decide who to love between Gwynn and Talon, but the man that knows exactly what justice is and will do anything to achieve it.

Garret has such a big heart for the Outpost that he is willing to do anything for it. This makes him the perfect match for Gwynn — plain and simple. Sorry for the plug there, I couldn’t resist.

I am so relieved to see Garret back in action. His return makes me realize how much I actually missed his presence. Sure the lovable Janzo has his moments and quirks, but Garret is really my go-to character when it comes to the males. 

This isn’t to take anything away from Janzo, he also shows a different side by putting himself out there to Talon. Although he gets struck down, Janzo gives us a glimpse of the man he could and would be if he gets a chance to be with Talon. 

I’m not quite sure what they are doing with this story arc. While I’m not necessarily gungho for Janzo and Talon to be a couple, I also don’t want my time to be wasted with filler. Either way, it still adds up to character development, which is always a win in my book.

If the characters don’t matter, then the story doesn’t matter. The characters in this show really do matter to me.

Each major player holds a special place in my heart, filling a hole no one else on the show could.  If there was no Gwynn, the other characters wouldn’t be quite the same. This also holds true for Talon, Garret, Janzo, and dare I say, Marshall Wythers. 

When we look at all these character’s true colors, we are able to see pieces of ourselves. We look to them to see what we are truly made of — be it a hero or a villain.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? What characters do you find most in common with? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Outpost airs Thursdays at 9/8c on the CW.

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