The Outpost Review: For the Sins of Your Ancestors (Season 3 Episode 1)

After what was way too long of a break, The Outpost returns with an exciting episode filling us in on what has happened since we have last seen Talon, Garret, and Gwynn. Apparently, only thirty-nine days have passed but all hell has broken loose. Everyone is questioning friendships, loyalties, and the truth.

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 1, “For the Sins of Your Ancestors,” begins with a majority of the humans enslaved to the Blackbloods and their comrades, the Blackfists. Garret and Tobin are in the pits working alongside the community as they search for a special crystal needed by their captors. It is unclear as of what exactly this magical crystal can do — or what it is needed for — but it is of utter importance. 

After being relieved by seeing Garret and Tobin’s faces, our minds automatically jump to the whereabouts of Gwynn and Talon. A kingdom overruled by vagrant outsiders means two things are missing, in this case, a queen and a heroine. 

Their absence is even more felt when Tobin and Garret are served a beatdown by a Blackfist guard who has no tolerance for lazy workers. How can these two brave women stand aside as their friends are being treated as punching bags?

Surprisingly enough, the despicable Zed is the one to step in and save the day by pulling in the reigns on his solider. His disgust at the Blackfist’s actions makes me assume that there may be a redemption arc somewhere shortly for the character, but it is gonna be a pretty hard sell for me. 

It isn’t until Zed leaves the scene that we see Talon watching things unfold from the back of a horse. She seems a bit concerned but refuses to budge or even speak in protest. We get the obvious feeling that she is acting in her friends’ best interest, even though you want to yell at the screen, “WTF Talon?”

Both of these situations show a breaking down of loyalties. The Blackbloods and Blackfists have a common goal but have different methods of achieving it. Talon appearing to take the oppressors’ side gives an air of blatant disrespect to the people she most recently called friends.

This goes a long way in building tension and discontent, mounting into a heap of stress to everyone involved. If you can’t trust friends or family, who can you trust?

Talon: I’m still on your side.

We will come into varying forms of this in real life where those we love strangely act out of character. It is easy to assume they have changed, or that maybe we never really known them at all. But sometimes, we don’t know all the underlying factors and all the stress that circumferences their surroundings.

Put on someone else’s shoes before judging the path they have walked.

Soon after this, Gwynn’s whereabouts are shown when we see her captive before the blade of yet another angry Blackfist. He wants to punish The Outpost by murdering the ruler who is an ancestor to the men who imprisoned his kin.

Really, if you think about it, you can’t judge him too harshly. If someone physically or mentally did something to hurt my wife, I’d want to hurt them pretty badly too. Not saying I would murder the person, but a well-placed punch to the jaw may be in order. 

Once again, Zed steps in and snuffs out the man’s actions before they go too far. Thankfully not a hair is harmed on Gwynn’s head. Although, Zed makes sure to inform her it isn’t for her sake, but to rule out the prospects of a rebellion.

It seems like a “doth protest too much” moment for me, but maybe I’m reading too much into it. 

This turn of events makes Talon set aside her allusions of being a traitor and confront Gwynn about what is really going on behind the scenes. As for myself, I take a deep breath knowing that Talon isn’t debating on selling out her friends and that she isn’t taking this all in stride.

Her speech shows a heartfelt hurt, allowing us to sympathize with her situation. Although she isn’t being tortured physically, her emotions are being toyed with alongside every misdeed delivered to her friends. 

According to what we are told, Zed is only keeping Talon’s friends alive to manipulate her into doing what the Blackbloods want. What exactly do these venomous creatures want? They want Talon to free the Priestess from the Plain of Ashes.

It seems simple enough. Gives us what we want, and we will give you what you want. Really a fair trade if you think about it. 

Fortunately, Talon remembers everything that has unfolded over the last 2 seasons and fails to hand things over so easily. She proves herself to be a truly intelligent protagonist — asking lingering questions before it is too late. 

Who is this Priestess? What does she want? What are her plans for The Outpost?

These are all reasonable questions, nothing glaringly personal or over the top. Just straightforward questions that deserve straightforward answers — no harm, no foul. 

But of course, Zed has no answers to these questions. Not a hint or clue is given to the Priestess’ agenda. Talon sees this as a red flag, and rightfully so.

I love that Talon sticks to her guns right until she is backed into a corner.

Tobin and Garret’s plan seems foolproof until you realize they aren’t actually dealing with fools.

The Blackbloods and Blackfists aren’t easy prey. They are warriors in their own rite. With demons on their side, Tobin and Garret stand very little chance of survival.

Truth be told, it isn’t really much of a fight before Gwynn, Garret, and Tobin are recaptured and brought before Zed. What chance does a human stand against might and magic anyway?

When the Blackfists threaten to put Gwynn to death, the ever so just Garret steps in and takes the blame. I’m sure he is hoping to make up for at least a little of the turmoil he caused last season. Unfortunately, Zed seems more than willing to spare her life in exchange for Garret and Tobin’s. 

This forces Talon’s hand into action, not giving a second thought into freeing the Priestess. I’m relieved to see Talon finally acting in character. As we all know, she fights for what is right no matter the cost. 

I have a feeling this has all played out the way Zed wanted it to. After all, no one was killed, and the Blackbloods get exactly what they want. 

With the arrival of the Priestess, we finally get a moment that isn’t entirely predictable. 

Don’t get me wrong, the episode isn’t bad in any way, but a majority of what unfolds isn’t really all that shocking. You figure Gwynn isn’t dead, or that Talon isn’t really a traitor. It even seems likely that Garret and Tobin will get recaptured.

Yet, it is still exciting and entertaining in the best way.

But back to the point I was trying to make. 

When the Priestess arrives, we expect some badass evil overlord who will instantly reign over The Outpost with an iron fist. Or possibly a sorceress with black eyes and an even blacker heart. Instead, we get a loving and peaceful being who actually wants to bring unity between the humans and the Blackbloods. 

One of the first sentences out of her mouth is an apology for how things played out. She acts in good faith by setting the humans free within the realm of The Outpost and proclaims to no longer permit violence between the different races. All in all, the Priestess seems quite likable. 

That’s why it is such a shame that Gwynn’s promise is unknowingly broken mere moments after it is made. Poor Gwynn, always wanting to do what is right but typically stepping in something unpleasant along the way.  

Even at the worst of times, her heart is in the right place, wanting only the best for everyone. Hopefully, one day she will learn. I know I’m rooting for her. 

Overall, the episode serves its purpose. We are reintroduced to the characters we have grown to love within the last couple of years. The three most valuable characters Talon, Garret, and Gwynn, reiterate all that they stand for and even show glimpses of their tragic flaws. 

While I’m not positive the plot is substantial enough to bring in hundreds of new viewers, the fans aren’t let down by the unfolding drama in this fabulous world. With a couple of additional action scenes thrown in, I think the episode could have captured a little more excitement — drawing us closer to the edge of our seats. 

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Will everyone pay for Garret’s actions?  Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Outpost airs Thursday at 9/8c on The CW.

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