Wynonna Earp Review: Holy War Part 1 (Season 4 Episode 5)
To say that Wynonna Earp Season 4 Episode 5, “Holy War Part 1,” is puzzling is an understatement. We’re introduced to a lot of new places, new magic, and a lot of frogs during the hour, but we get practically zero answers.
One of the main questions of the hour involves the deal Nicole made with Margo Clanton.
The flashback would have been a great place to reveal to us what deal Nicole made: what she agreed to do or to give up. There still would have been shock value to learning the truth about the deal, and it would have created some great emotional tension as we wait for Waverly and everyone else to find out the truth.
It’s thrilling and aggravating to know something that the characters don’t, having to wait on them to either suck it up and come clean or put the pieces together. Wynonna Earp misses a huge opportunity here by only using the flashback to be cryptic.
Showing us a flashback that doesn’t reveal anything except a glimpse at a desperate Nicole honestly isn’t worth showing. We already knew Nicole was desperate to get Waverly back, so all the flashback does is tease yet another mystery (and we already have too many of those).
Plus, us knowing the details of the deal could have made Nicole’s Harry Potter-esque frog curse more enjoyable — I seriously couldn’t stop flashing back to Ron eating slugs. Do you have any theories on what deal Nicole struck with Margo?
With the discovery that the Clantons are in town, it makes sense that Doc would reflect back on his time with Wyatt and the shootout at the O.K. Corrall. The documentary at the museum with footage of Wyatt giving an interview is the icing on the cake.
It shows a lot of growth that Doc is able to talk about how the Clantons, back then, acted like everyone else during that time. They weren’t inherently evil. It would have been very easy to have Doc tell tales that vilify the Clantons, and so it’s fantastic that he doesn’t.
Doc’s grown a bit wiser with age, and it’s a great contrast to the Clantons that are still hellbent on vengeance. My one question is if there’s anything bigger going on when Wyatt says Doc shot first, and Doc says he didn’t. Is it a case of misremembering or is there something more; what are your thoughts?
Doc: And why, pray tell, would you help a demon hunter find her demon-slaying weapon?
Amon: Well because the Clantons are more powerful than me, and I don’t bottom for anyone, not even you.
Okay, I have one more thing to discuss when it comes to the Clantons — Amon’s comment that he doesn’t like them being in power.
This hints that the Clantons have quite a bit of control over what goes on in Purgatory. We’ve seen how they’ve taken over the positions of power — the Sheriff and the Magistrate — but those affect the human population the most, you would think. It’s unclear how they have been affecting Amon and the rest of the demons.
It would be nice to see them trying to put restrictions on the demons or do something that directly affects them. The Sheriff likes to grab a drink at The Glory Hole, and that’s the most interaction we’ve seen between the Clantons and the demons.
Obviously Wynonna and company have a lot going on, but I wish we could explore this new Purgatory some more, maybe stumble across the Clantons annoying the demons or something. A lot has changed since Waverly, Doc, and Wynonna were in the garden, and it feels like I don’t know this new world anymore.
Aside from the Clantons of it all, there seems to be a lot more magic in it. Wynonna ends up in a weird, potentially different dimension with nuns, and it’s just accepted that they could snatch Wynonna right off the street and bring her there.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fascinating development, and I’m excited to explore this new world. It’s just a lot at once, and maybe we are supposed to feel like Doc, Waverly, and Wynonna right now — a bit out of our element and trying to play catch up.
Stray Thoughts:
- I love that Peacemaker being AWOL gets Wynonna to admit that she wants a demon-fighting life, not a normal one.
- Wow, I’ve missed Jeremy and Doc.
- Wynonna and Nicole’s BFF chats continue to be the absolute best.
- It’s interesting that Peacemaker might be hiding because she feels her job is done.
- Amon and Wynonna’s introduction is everything I could’ve dreamed of.
- So Rosita has just been chilling by some rocks this whole time?
- PLEASE TELL ME NICOLE WILL BE OKAY.
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).