The Outpost Review: The Key To Paradise (Season 3 Episode 4)

The Outpost continues to heat things up with action and suspense from every angle. I often find myself holding my breath in anticipation of what will happen next. As the drama unfolds, one can’t help but feel the desperation lingering in Talon, Gwynn, and Garret.

When Season 3 Episode 3 ended, Gwynn was recently implanted with the offspring of the Priestess’ kinj. Automatically our heads were bewildered with what this meant for The Outpost. A righteous ruler overrun with a mysterious power that isn’t of her control can never be a good thing, could it?

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 4, “The Key To Paradise,” starts with these ideas still fresh in our minds. What will be the first move? Who will ultimately reign in this brave new world, etc, etc?

Fortunately, Gwynn’s over bubbly demeanor is spotted almost immediately. While Gwynn isn’t always a dark and brooding character like Arrow’s Oliver Queen, this saccharine sweet substitute of a personality isn’t the most honest portrayal of the queen’s normal behavior. Talon and Janzo aren’t buying it. 

Oftentimes we cannot tell when there is something slightly off inside of us until it erupts out of us at a rather inopportune time. That is why it is always good to have close friends like Talon and Janzo to keep us in check. They can sense something different in our aura that we may not, calling us out on our change of personality. 

I’m relieved when this happens so quickly with Gwynn. At first, I was afraid this was just going to be a rehashing of last season with Gwynn being brainwashed instead of Garret. Luckily, no one is exactly blindsided by Gwynn’s change except for the rather naive Sammy. 

This really shows how far apart he has grown from Gwynn since their childhood. If people who have only met you a few years back know more about you than someone who grew up with you, I’d venture to say your relationship isn’t necessarily blossoming.

Talon, on the other hand, throws up a wall of defense right out of the gate by going into interrogation mode. Talon is smart enough to know her friends and her enemies. She understands what it would mean for Garret’s life if he were to be exposed at this current time.

Really, could you blame the Blackfists lashing out at this betrayal? After all, one of their own was killed similarly due to his own crime. Things could get real ugly real quick.

With nothing more to go on than her gut feeling, Talon relents and tells Gwynn of Garret’s whereabouts.  She can’t protect him if he is out in the open, but if Gwynn is led to the place he resides in, at least Talon and Garret would still have the upper-hand. A basic defense, but still a reliable one.

Of course, the Priestess isn’t that slow in the head. Gwynn could easily be overpowered by Garret and Talon, so she sends in a group of Blackfists instead. With the element of surprise at hand, the Priestess nearly gets a win but justice prevails.

This sends Talon into a tizzy with anger. Why would Gwynn do such a thing to a man she once loved? Talon, never being the silent type, demands answers from the queen.

Sometimes in relationships, we need to ask the person straight out what their intentions are. Since motives can be misinterpreted, it is best to get it straight from the horse’s mouth.

Not only is this the best way to get an honest answer, but it is also a sign of respect. Although Talon is seething with anger at Gwynn, she respects her enough to question her face-to-face instead of second-guessing all that is happening. Take this into consideration next time you have a falling out with your friend. 

Still under mind-control, Gwynn lies through her teeth and eventually tries to turn the tables on Talon. How dare she question the queen and her friendship! If this was the same Gwynn from Season 2, Talon just might be at the gallows right now, lol.

Gwynn: Go, spread my gift to others.

Meanwhile, Tobin is in similar circumstances but with a different outcome.

While Gwynn’s friends struggle to find her true self behind the facade, Tobin’s friends try to return him into who he once was. If you remember so many episodes ago, Tobin wasn’t always a stand-up guy. 

He wanted to marry Gwynn for royalty, plain and simple. He didn’t feel bad about it in any way and even wore his intent on his sleeve. Honestly, I kind of hated the guy back in the beginning. 

Smug, rude, and pompous were his go-to personality traits, but once he opened his heart the callouses fell off — revealing a man worth much more than he first appeared. 

Sadly, Tobin’s old friends want to bring him back to the start. 

Relationships are a tricky thing. They can build us up or tear us down. Choosing your friends wisely can really affect the shape of your life.

Tobin’s character development helps him to resist the tantalizing deals offered before him.

He could have it all. Fame, fortune, and royalty. Three things he has always wanted, but with the cost of Gwynn. 

I love how he refuses to give in to this devious ploy. Although he contemplates everything that is offered to him, he ultimately chooses Gwynn over it all.

This is love. Not made for television love, but true and unfiltered love.

Tobin goes against himself, sacrificing his needs for the good of Gwynn and The Outpost. You can’t get any purer than that.

Ultimately, that is what this episode is about, love.

Love that is so great for another person we can’t help but be affected by it. Love that is so strong that it sees through the facade being thrown up. Love so pure that it chooses others first. 

Love is a powerful thing that governs much more of our lives than we tend to realize. Be it romantic or platonic, love is the thing that matters most. Let it shape you and mold you into your best self. 

Because as Gwynn’s predicament shows, if love isn’t controlling you, something else more sinister just might be.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? How will Gwynn react to Tobin’s decision? 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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