The Outpost Review: Nothing Short of Heroic (Season 2 Episode 11)

The Outpost Season 2 Episode 11 “Nothing Short of Heroic,” throws us an unforeseen curveball very late in the game. While this new story arc seems quite interesting, I’m baffled as to why it isn’t until now that this situation comes to the surface.

I’m referring of course, to the arrival of Gwynn’s younger brother, Alton.

This little lad appears out of nowhere, going on about being spared from death like his sister and yadda, yadda, yadda. Now he is here to become a happy family again. Sorry if I’m just a bit skeptical Alton, but this all seems rather convenient. 

My feelings are very akin to Tobin’s in this situation. I have nothing wrong with the pipsqueak. He seems nice enough for the most part, and it is lovely to see Gwynn have someone of her blood lineage still around. 

But it seems funny how this kid doesn’t make himself visible until The Outpost is finally gaining some traction. When Gwynn was struggling, making all the tough decisions, and needing guidance, she had to seek help from her closest friends. She needed to turn to other people who could have easily steered her in the wrong direction, instead of being able to confide in someone who had equal stakes in the claim.

Besides these obvious reasons not to like Alton — I’m also skeptical of his character.  

He seems like any normal kid that has a rough upbringing at the beginning of the episode. A brother who is happy to see a sibling that he never thought he would see again, but he seems to show a different face at the trial of Janzo.

Okay, it really isn’t a trial at all, just Gwynn telling Janzo what’s up and where he stands at the current moment. Nonetheless, I feel Alton begins to show his true colors during this scene.

Maybe Alton’s situation has hardened him to an extent, I get that. I would hope though, that deep down this child would have pity in his heart for the lowly and downcast. After all, isn’t that what happened to him?

Instead, Alton comes off cold and callus to the beaten and bruised Janzo. He doesn’t even know the full extent of the situation, yet tells his sister that she should have no mercy on the poor bastard. 

Fortunately, Gwynn has her own mind and a good head on her shoulders. She isn’t about to let Alton rule the roost at the current moment. Although their minds are practically in unison, Gwynn has no qualms in telling him that it isn’t “their” decision. 

I’m glad to see Gwynn isn’t just rolling over for her brother. His right to eventually be king makes her leery of all his claims — taking every move he makes into consideration.

Just because he says all the right things at all the right times, doesn’t mean he is on the up and up. In the end, it comes off as the opposite. 

It seems to me this is all some sort of setup. I get the same feelings for Alton that I had for Zed, which isn’t a good feeling at all. Something is up with this little dude, and I know all his cards are not on the table at the moment.

Something tells me that much more of this storyline will unfold next season rather than this one. That is the one problem I have with this episode. 

If all this took place towards the beginning of the season, the pacing of it may have worked better. Mid-season probably would have worked nearly as good. Heck, even in the closing moments of the season may have been perfect for a cliffhanger.

Alas, for some reason they chose to do it now. I’m just going to have to trust the writers on this one, but that’s okay — they haven’t let me down so far.

If it isn’t for the other parts of the episode, I would be tempted to say that this is all filler. Good filler, like freshly baked bread before a meal, but filler nonetheless. Talon, Garret, and Janzo do enough to further their stories — making this a satisfying Thursday evening.

The action scenes between Talon and Garret are marvelous as usual. These two work in perfect unison with each other, slaying the baddies as almost a single unit. 

It is a bit surprising to see Talon forgive Garret so quickly and easily. With Talon being betrayed repeatedly this season, one would think that her guard would be up a lot longer than it is. We all want to see the best in our friends, but Talon knows firsthand that can often bite you in the rear.

I can let this slide a little though, knowing that the season is soon ending, and things can’t be drawn out as long as they should normally be. And of course, Garret does prove his loyalty to her. 

Janzo: I don’t choose sides, I just do what is right.

Getting back to the topic of Janzo is a whole other story. While it feels great to see Garret and Talon reunite on the battleground, it rips at your heart to see what happens to our loveable dorky brewer.

After everything the sad-sack continues to do for The Outpost, he is still treated as a traitor. 

Gwynn, Gwynn, Gwynn. Repeatedly I have come to your defense this season — taking each move you make as a calculated risk for The Outpost’s gain. But I’m going to have to draw a line here. 

It pains me to say it, but enough is enough. With all the good Janzo has done and continues to do, there is very little reason to still consider anything he does as an act of treachery. 

If Garret can be forgiven so easily, why can’t Janzo? Sure, Garret was brainwashed by The Three, but couldn’t one argue that Janzo was brainwashed by love?

Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. The point still stands though, love makes us do crazy things. In this case, VERY crazy things. 

I’m imagining at this point that Naya is going to do something that proves her feelings for The Outpost, sealing the deal that she is no trader. This will in turn free Janzo, because if she isn’t evil then he really can’t be considered her accomplice. 

That’s my best guess at least. I’ve been proven wrong time and time again though. Each twist has its own turn, and this show always has a way of keeping me guessing.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Is Gwynn being too hard on Janzo? Is Alton an imposter? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Outpost airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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