The Outpost Review: The Worst Corner of My Memory / This Is Our Outpost (Season 2 Episodes 12 and 13)

Being forty years old, it is safe to say I’ve spent several hundreds of hours watching television. Some of these combined minutes were well worth it, while others I wish I could have back. This double-dose season finale of The Outpost is something that I will spend extra time on — just to get the full effect all over again.

It isn’t often that a show runs me through nearly every emotion and gives me feelings for things I don’t even realize I care about — until I notice tears running down my cheek. The Outpost Season 2 Episode 12, “The Worst Corner of My Mind” and The Outpost Season 2 Episode 13, “This Is Our Outpost,” not only do this, but they also do it with flare.

Typically The CW has a mixed bag for their season finales. Several that I’ve watched over the years spend a majority of the time setting things up for the next season.

While I understand the purpose in that, it irks me to no end when the finale of the current season is stifled for the future one. Oversimplified endings burn my bottom.

These episodes avoid this calamity — focusing only on the task at hand. It works so well, that I am blown away when there is a cliffhanger — and boy is it a doozy!

The Outpost Season 2 Episode 12, “The Worst Corner of My Mind,” is the weaker episode here. Not to say it’s a bad one in any way. This episode suits its purpose by setting up everything that needs to come to pass to satisfy the season.

Being a Gwynnaphile — yep, that’s my phrase, I coined it —it is great to see Gwynn come to her senses.

Every episode this season I’ve stuck by her side while other fans have grown to dislike her. Many fans fail to see the justice in her judgments, although many of them make sense to me.

Unbeknownst to myself, the writers seem to have been going for a growing sense of dismay towards the character.

Using the events surrounding Alton and his treacherous actions as a way for Gwynn to see her folly is an excellent choice. The Outpost Season 2 Episode 11, “Nothing Short of Heroic,” had me questioning why this little runt showed up so late in the season. I second-guessed the decision to bring him on when they did, but I have to admit — it works perfectly.

Everything that unfolds in this scenario leads Gwynn to face who she truly is, making her a better ruler and friend. Everyone notices a change in her demeanor by the end of the episode, many even greeting her with the phrase, ‘Welcome back.’ 

Although this change happens rather quickly, it doesn’t come off as rushed. It seems like a natural progression one would go through when coming to terms with themselves.

This quite serious turn of events pairs well with the rather comical revelation about Janzo and Naya.

Janzo, trust me, there is someone out there for you. It may not be Talon or Naya, but there is someone. And even if you are never able to find this person — learn to be happy with yourself. 

While typing this I’ve come to realize there are life lessons to be learned here. Yeah, I know, that’s my go-to move, but I figure if we can learn something along the way, then why not?

The first lesson to learn is from Gwynn’s circumstances. Throughout her drama she becomes self-aware, realizing although she feels she was acting in The Outpost’s best interest, she is ultimately acting against herself. In the midst of it all, she remembers her father telling her to choose her heart over her head. 

Knowledge isn’t always key — sometimes the heart knows best. Know who you are inside and act accordingly. You are the way you are for a reason — use that when the circumstances call for it.

The lesson Janzo teaches is to make the best out of unfortunate circumstances. 

When he finds out the news about Naya, he is knocked for a loop. It is understandable how crushing this sort of news can be. Happiness is being tore right out from underneath him like a rug.

Being true to Janzo’s character, the news doesn’t keep him down for long. He sees the blessing in the situation and chooses to find joy in it. 

You too can make the worst of situations better by looking for the blessings within the curses. Sure things may have not worked out the way you planned, but that doesn’t have to be the end-all. 

Okay, now that is out of my system, we can move on to The Outpost Season 2 Episode 13, “This Is Our Outpost.” 

I come into this episode scared that the enormous battle is going to start in the final moments, giving us a cliffhanger to find out the winner next season. Luckily that fear is unwarranted, and in truth, we receive one hell of a fight throughout. 

The amount of action in this episode is crazy. Death, after death, after death. Not a solider goes by without a trace of blood on his blade. 

Everyone gets in on the fight including Munt and Janzo. Both of their willingness to join the fight is unexpected, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The pained cry Munt lets out shakes me to my core. I can’t help but let a tear slip down my cheek as I mourn along with him. Such a tragic turn of events.

Once again in Janzo’s hands, a tragedy becomes a victory as he uses the victim’s final words as a plan to ultimately foil the enemy. What a perfect tribute!

Gwynn, Garret, and Talon use everything they have learned over the season to outsmart The Capital. Tobin finally comes around and stops with his cowardly suggestion to run and hide. The battle is fought and won — but only momentarily.

It surprises me that there isn’t more of a direct showdown between our three heroes and The Three. Maybe The Three are similar to the president and vice-president in that they can’t be on the same plane at the same time. I’ve heard less reasonable explanations.

With victory at hand, one would think there would be some sort of celebration with cries of achievement and boasting. Instead, our heroes distrust the silence as everything dies down. 

They know it can’t be all this “easy.” Of course, it isn’t, and Talon makes a decision she doesn’t necessarily want to — disobeying the queen and her friend. 

I never thought I’d be glad to see Zed’s mug glaring at me through the screen. It was obvious that the scum would be back, and here I am rooting for him. 

Once again, the jokes on me. The jokes on all of us and the entire Outpost, but I won’t give it all away here. 

Sana: The Blackblood has fulfilled the prophecy.

One of the most bittersweet moments of the episode has to be Garret giving Gwynn and Tobin his blessings.

Being a big shipper of Gwynn and Garret, it pains me to hear him turn aside and let Tobin be with her. It shows what a great character Garret is.

I never liked the love triangle aspect in Season 1 and thought that was the only thing that brought Garret down. Seeing this unfold makes it all better. 

The action and drama in this episode go hand-in-hand. There isn’t too much of one or the other. Nearly an even split.

There are a couple of moments of downtime here and again, but I feel they are used for us to collectively catch our breath.

It has been a long time since a show or any given episode has gotten me this worked up. I’m still running on adrenaline over an hour later. 

Excitement, heartbreak, betrayal, and even flat-out amusement. Everything we watch TV for is featured in this finale. 

I feel totally emersed in the battle, fighting along with my friends to save our home. Every character’s reaction to what they experience, we feel along with them. 

If this finale doesn’t win some kind of award somewhere, then it is an absolute crime. Seriously, if this was a movie at the local theater I would pay to see it — REPEATEDLY!

I could go on and on about every amazing aspect of this nearly perfect ending. Everything is tied up quite nicely before the cliffhanger, and you feel a slight sweetness in your soul. That is until your heart is ripped out.

What a way to hold us in suspense! If there isn’t a Season 3, then someone is going to need to pay dearly!

What did you think of the season finale of The Outpost? Were all your expectations met and satisfied? 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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