Watchmen Review: Little Fear of Lightning (Season 1 Episode 5)
The idea of fear and what causes it, and what it causes, becomes a poignant point for Watchmen Season 1 Episode 5, “Little Fear of Lightning.”
It’s not through the fear of the unknown, per se, but through the fear of the known, what is now known and what is now possible. Wade is the perfect catalyst for this, as his trauma during a particular event sends shockwaves even to the present day that formulates and forms who he becomes: Looking Glass.
photo: Mark Hill/HBO
But it becomes a question of whether he withdraws under the reflective mask to hide himself, or if he gains his power through it. The opening, the squid incident during November 1985, is both something that’s been needed for fans who have not read through the graphic novel, and it brings so much context to Wade. It’s the moment that solidifies Veidt’s power but also how much damage he caused.
Wade’s first sexual experience becomes a moment of loss of trust, and also as a moment of absolute trauma, a touchstone for where his character will go in the future. Wade goes inward, and the mask (and hat) being a means of both protecting himself physically and also mentally through fears of inter-dimensional frequencies, is a personification of his isolation.
That Renee (Paula Malcomson) effectively does the same to him, placing him into a false sense of security through romantic connection before upending his life, leaves Wade just as he is at the beginning of the episode: vulnerable and naked once more, but this time metaphorically.
It’s a cruel turn for Wade to face time and again, just as is the revelation of Adrian Veidt and his squid being a hoax. Decades of fear and paranoia is distilled down to one moment, and rather than giving Wade that security he always wants, it does the exact opposite and leaves him terrified not of another dimension, but rather of what humanity is capable of, what Veidt is capable of.
photo: Mark Hill/HBO
The episode being a way of getting inside Wade’s head, when his profession and life’s calling is to do the same, is a way for Watchmen to explore the psychological trauma done by Veidt’s plan, while also showing a character who has suffered tremendously ever since. His need for safety hinges on protection, when it’s as thin and flimsy as the balance the Tulsa police department hold together.
Speaking of Veidt, his escape from his moon prison is successful, but only for a moment. It’s a fun moment, at least, that shows he is far from home and in need of more than just some transport. The teleportation device that the Seventh Calvary are messing with likely has to do with getting Veidt back to Earth, though the basketballs landing at different spots does not inspire confidence.
Senator Keene being involved with the Calvary isn’t entirely surprising, as the bomber at the funeral on Watchmen Season 1 Episode 3, “She Was Killed By Space Junk,” is more interested in making statements than hurting him. But it does raise the question of whether or not the main goal of the Calvary and Keene is to align with Veidt, or to cause that fear again, this time in Tulsa.
Angela’s pills being Will’s memories, and that she swallows them all down before being arrested, leaves her on quite the journey of the mind coming up. The Nostalgia pills are mentioned as being harmful, and so taking all of them at once may leave Angela in permanent jeopardy by the effects. But it will also be a way for us to see Will’s past, so it will serve the story well.
photo: Mark Hill/HBO
Tim Blake Nelson is devastating and genius on this episode, able to say so much with his eyes, and so much with his body language when hidden under the reflective surface. It’s a performance that heightens the already great writing, and he continues to be one of the best performers on the show.
That the ending of Watchmen Season 1 Episode 5, “Little Fear of Lightning,” is of Wade not quite ready to let go of who he is despite all of the evidence surround him, shows that some habits die hard. But with the Seventh Calvary appearing with weapons may be a closing moment that ends Looking Glass’ watch.
It’s hard to tell if it’s because his purpose is served in the Calvary lines, effectively taking Angela off the board while their plan finalizes. Will and Trieu may be their rivals coming up, and the giant tower Trieu is building may be the defense against their plan.
It’s all still a little nebulous, but one thing is for certain: Watchmen continues to deliver something unlike anything else on television, a character-driven fine line of masterful writing and careful revealing that weaves with great success toward something we may not know yet, but feels greater by the episode.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- The “Pale Horse” Spielberg reference does not quite work for me, as it takes such a emotionally charged moment from Schindler’s List and converts it into this world’s tragedy.
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.