Watchmen Review: Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship (Season 1 Episode 2)
There’s a lot Angela doesn’t know, and while Will hopes to bring her in slowly, clearly it’s not slow enough on Watchmen Season 1 Episode 2, “Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship.”
The violence at the trailer park, and Looking Glass partially insinuating Angela knowing more than she’s letting on, are hints that perhaps unrest is at hand, that the Seventh Calvary and Crawford’s death have rattled loose a reckoning. The world of Watchmen feels like it’s reaching a point of not quite snapping, but of reaching change it may not be ready for.
photo: Mark Hill/HBO
The secrets Crawford has in his closet turning out to be an actual secret in his closet is a fun joke, but with Will’s confusion at the appearance of the hood attire, it does appear to be a coincidence. The cop cleansing event at Christmas is dubbed “White Night,” and so it’s not a far reach to wonder if Crawford calls himself White Knight (or something similar) and is involved in some way.
He survives the White Night with only a shot in the arm as the chief of police, and comments on Angela’s missing tears while he, too, is without them. A single man through the window versus two in Angela’s case appears a bit strange.
Crawford’s death looms large over the episode, but it’s Angela’s episode.
Regina King is magnificent throughout, running through a gauntlet of emotions as she starts to uncover that her dream life is starting to crack. The man she trusted with her life isn’t who she thinks he is, and it’s this shattering of a father figure for her, leaving Angela disillusioned and with nowhere to place her anger except internally.
Angela in detective mode allows for a more introspective manner of her dealing with the events of the episode, but in doing so also informs of the world around her. The Black Wall Street museum is effectively her family’s history, as we find from Will’s DNA sample Angela is his granddaughter. This revelation leaves so many more questions than it provides answers.
But with Will being suction cupped off in Angela’s car into the sky, it’s likely to be a while before more answers are provided. Even that exit leaves infinite more questions, like the capabilities and power needed to pull off something of that scale. Angela’s profane statement after is the right reaction.
The episode also makes a broad comment on the superhero culture with the television show about the Minutemen. The Hooded Justice sequence is glossy and choreographed, when in contrast, Angela’s survival during the White Night incident is imperfect and scrambling, with so much uncertainty.
It’s a great comment on realism and portrayal, and how the show is differentiating itself by sticking closer to realism despite the chaotic and strange occurrences at the edges.
photo: Colin Hutton/HBO
Adrian Veidt’s leisure time at his manor comes as a potential descent into madness. Recreating the Doctor Manhattan moment, potentially night after night while literally burning through clones and fancy cakes, is such a diabolical way for Veidt to spend his twilight years.
There is likely something far greater at play with his reliving of memories, possibly as a means of shaking something loose. He makes sure to retrieve the watch and checks it, as though waiting for something to happen. It stops at five to midnight, a key image for Watchmen. Is he trying to conjure Doctor Manhattan to return? Or is he trying to unlock a second Doctor Manhattan of some sort?
Jeremy Irons appears to be having a great time, though, which is well worth the wait as the puzzle pieces will surely add up over time.
Watchmen Season 1 Episode 2, “Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship,” does a fantastic job of informing character by allowing their environment to bring out something in them. Angela may be having a hard time accepting some facts and is entitled to be angry as things don’t quite add up yet. We’re right there with her, but while things may not be ready to add up yet, it sure is wonderful to watch.
What did you think of this episode of Watchmen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Watchmen airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.