Raised by Wolves Review: The Beginning (Season 1 Episode 10)
Serpents come in all shapes and sizes on Raised by Wolves Season 1 Episode 10, “The Beginning,” as the show completely upends itself into a new direction that expands on its ideas in great, exciting ways.
While there’s plenty to talk about in regards to where events are heading, there’s still the events of the finale.
As a few comments note in the previous review, Marcus is forced to ingest something when the Mithraic turn on him. It is Mother’s eye (or eyes), as it turns out (something I missed), and it’s changing him much in the way it has Otho.
It looks to be less sudden, as Otho’s is directly to his bloodstream and so he feels the effects fairly quickly. Marcus’ visions are turning darker and more sinister, especially with Hunter and keeping the snake theme going.
The great irony of his ending is that he is now the militant devoted to Sol as the atheists come to Kepler 22b. He has turned completely from the man he used to be, even if he lost the fight with himself some time ago. This is where he’s most dangerous, as he may look to convert this massive new lot of people to his cause.
It’s also possible we get a repeat but in a different context of Mother’s actions at the end of Raised by Wolves Season 1 Episode 1, “Raised by Wolves,” where Marcus takes on the atheist mothership much like Mother during the premiere, where Marcus learns his new powers (if he has powers, that is).
Either way, this will be a fascinating turn for Marcus as a character, and thankfully keeps Travis Fimmel on the show and in a new way as Marcus looks to dominate or flip some more to his cause.
Paul’s turn to Sol has been coming, but it does tip the scales about whether or not he’s hearing things: he knows things he shouldn’t. Is it subconsciously from when he’s sleeping, having heard them speak of their identities in his vicinity? Likely not, as he knows Sue’s real name (Mary), something that has been markedly said less than Marcus’ real name, Caleb.
While Paul shoots Sue and takes off (and curiously, Hunter appears to not return with him as promised), it will be interesting if he finds his way back to Marcus and they work together with the atheists. Sue will likely survive her shot, though their group may have to turn to the atheists for help.
Father’s difficulty with his new standing is a nice way for him to deal with his budding emotions. His need to find a solution that sounds an awful lot like joint custody does allow a view into a world and a life that has moved on from such things and have to go back to the basics now that society is starting up again.
It’s a clever and funny way of showing his love for Mother, too, where the anger of his absence of creating life says a lot about his feelings for not only her but the children. He feels like his status as father figure is under threat, but no one on the show could expect the outcome that happens.
The snake baby is certainly a surprise, but it’s in keeping with the cruelty of this world they find themselves on. Its incubation period is spent as an oil-like cylinder, almost like an egg, and so it’s been a little bit telegraphed that this is something foreign and alien all along.
Its birth slightly evokes Alien, a fun nod of the son to the father as Luke Scott directs the episode, and is such a striking image as Mother experiences a wave of emotions that Amanda Collin brings so much power to.
The devolving humans from a previous time definitely changes the way we’ll view Kepler 22b now. It’s rather terrifying, that all of the characters we know may one day turn into these creatures (unless it’s generational and not so rapid). Since there’s still these hooded figures, the reverse evolution looks to be still ongoing.
The world looks to be changing everyone. These voices that both Marcus and Paul suffer may be a side effect, much like how Campion is the sole survivor of the original wave of children but Tally still appears in some way. It also impregnates Mother with a new form of the snake that used to make these pits. Change is in the air, as they say.
Is the environment affecting the inhabitants in unique ways, or is this world a completely different set of barriers where the mind is our limit? Mother comments that she feels stronger at the cave, and so it’s possible that the world itself is a means of power.
The cave paintings that Paul uncovers may be the way to decipher all of this, a road map of sorts to see what is possible.
Mother and Father choosing to sacrifice themselves to protect their new family is a touching moment, where they accept their fate to help the fate of the future. It’s also a fantastic shot, to shoot out the other side of the core into the tropical zone.
But the question of why the core doesn’t destroy the lander does open up more questions. Is it able to pass through impossible levels of heat, or is the core different than what we know on our planet? Mother and Father look to be overloading from the heat, but they awaken on the other side, seemingly fine.
The way the events play out, the core almost acts like a portal, the way it spits them back out the other side. Maybe that’s how Tally is still around, which has ramifications for the future.
Each episode continues to grow its incredible visual style. “The Beginning” offers some fantastical shots, like the lander entering the core looking almost like a conception, the snake baby floating off with impressive shadow work from the trees, the wild visions that Marcus experiences, and the haunting ash-like snowfall in the forest outside their cave.
Raised by Wolves is one of the best looking shows on television, not only with intriguing sights but with sharp direction. Hopefully the second season continues that and even surpasses it, especially as we get to see the tropical zone for the first time.
Raised by Wolves Season 1 Episode 10, “The Beginning,” is an unbelievably exciting close to the season. It doesn’t close out everything, thankfully so, and broadens the story into directions that have great potential.
Marcus and the atheists, along with Mother and Father in the tropical zone, stand out the most for me, as they will be a way of expanding the lore of the world and its cultures while Campion learns to build on his role as leader of the survivors.
We’re lucky to have such a deep science fiction show like this, and a second season is going to be greatly anticipated.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- During the pivotal conversation outside the lander between Sue and Paul, Paul’s shots have the green screen still in frame. It’s likely a cost of working under these new difficult conditions, and it’s definitely not a nitpick, but rather a note in case it can be updated in the future. I figured it’s a product of the screener, but it’s present on the final version, as well (at least on the Crave version here in Canada, I can’t confirm if it’s present on the HBO Max or other international versions. Hopefully comments can clear it up!).
What did you think of this episode of Raised by Wolves? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Raised by Wolves streams Thursdays on HBO Max.
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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.