Wynonna Earp Review: Friends in Low Places (Season 4 Episode 2)
Thankfully, things are back on track with Wynonna Earp Season 4 Episode 2, “Friends in Low Places,” at least pacing wise. Things aren’t going that great in the Garden nor in Purgatory.
The hectic pace that dominated Wynonna Earp Season 4 Episode 1, “On the Road Again,” is gone with “Friends in Low Places,” and it doesn’t feel as if we are being hastily pulled in thirty million different directions.
It’s such a relief. Nothing is rushed. The reveal that Nicole isn’t Nicole happens slowly, which is fantastic because you get to experience a multitude of emotions — joy over Wayhaught’s reunion, suspicion over “Nicole’s” answers, shock at Doc’s discovery, and anticipation as you wait for Waverly to put the pieces together.
Eve’s shapeshifting ability allows for some fun and painful scenes when Eve shifts into Jeremy and then Wynonna while fighting Doc. Also, only Wynonna Earp would have such a nonchalant reaction to seeing “herself” already in the Garden and also dying. It’s one of the reasons why I love her so.
One of the reasons why I love Doc Holliday is that he will not be easily fooled by shapeshifting harlots!
The fight between Doc and Wynonna is an absolutely fun time, and it’s great that he doesn’t just automatically assume Wynonna is Wynonna. He takes his job of protecting Waverly seriously, and it wouldn’t have made sense if Doc immediately took Wynonna at her word.
Wynonna: I’m already here, and I’m only wearing half a shirt. I’m going to catch a cold.
It is amusing that their safe word, not Alice’s name, is what convinces Doc. Everyone in Purgatory is going to have to come up shapeshifting safewords and somehow keep them a secret from Eve…it’s unclear how much she knows about a person when she shifts into them.
She doesn’t seem to know current events, as evident by her avoiding Waverly’s questions about Wynonna, but she does know a decent amount and is able to portray everyone’s mannerisms pretty well. It’ll be interesting to see who she is in Purgatory.
As soon as it is revealed that Eve can shapeshift, the obvious fear/theory was that she was going to take someone’s place in Purgatory and the real character would be dead or trapped in the Garden. Thankfully, that does not happen.
Instead, Wynonna Earp does something a bit unpredictable and gives us a time jump — 18 months, three weeks, and four days, according to Nicole.
The time jump is exciting; it puts Wynonna, Doc, and Waverly at a bit of a disadvantage because they have to catch up on current events. Who doesn’t love an underdog story?
Also, it allows Purgatory to somewhat get back on track after being evacuated, and Nicole and Nedley are able to heal. Having a season with Nicole in a cast wouldn’t be as exciting, let’s be honest.
Plus, it makes sense that the Garden is out of sync with the real world; it is a different realm/dimension, after all. What will be interesting to see is how long Eve’s been there, since she left the Garden before Doc, Wynonna, and Waverly did. Odds are, she is behind whatever is going on in Purgatory.
Wynonna: Sheriff, I’m sick and tired of listening to all the disgustingly hot premarital sex you’re having in my house.
Nicole: You’ve been listening?!
Wynonna: So let’s go make you make an honest woman out of my little sister.
One thing that still isn’t fully clear is the effect the Garden has on people, especially Waverly.
It messes with Doc and Waverly’s memories during “On the Road Again,” but that side effect never comes up during “Friends in Low Places.” We do see more of Waverly turning into the guardian and spouting off propaganda, but that’s it when it comes to Garden side-effects.
It’s not consistent, and so it makes it hard to be concerned that somehow the Garden will win, and Waverly will sit on the throne. You just shrug off the weirdness and wait for it to pass.
While it is a little frustrating, you also go in knowing that there’s no way Waverly is going to sit on the throne and turn to stone. We can’t have Wynonna Earp without Waverly. So, the show gets a pass here because it’s not like there was ever too much to be concerned about. Waverly has to return to Purgatory, so she can have hot stair sex with her fiancé!
What will be interesting to see is if the Garden/the throne has any reach and can effect Waverly back in Purgatory. What are your theories?
Stray Thoughts
- That is some insanely hot stair sex. I mean damn.
- All the flowers and trees in the Garden, do they grow because Eve is close to escaping, or is it because Waverly is there?
- Rachel and Wynonna are such a fun duo. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of her.
- So, why does Eve’s prison require blood? Is she a shapeshifting vampire? Do vampires guard her cell? Does she just have a blood kink?
What did you think of this episode of Wynonna Earp? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Wynonna Earp airs Sunday at 10/9c on Syfy.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).