The Outpost Review: The Peace You Promised (Season 3 Episode 2)

At its core, The Outpost is a show about good versus bad. This isn’t really new territory in the history of television, but the way the subject is explored makes us question our definition of the straightforward protagonist battling it out with the antagonist.

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 2, “The Peace You Promised,” begins with the aftermath of Garret’s decision to kill one of the Blackfists. Although he is quick on his toes and puts up one hell of a fight, Garret is subdued into submission.

This is a great action scene to start the episode. Top-notch choreography and spot-on acting make me believe that this man is truly fighting for his life. If this scene was included in Season 3 Episode 1, I would have definitely rated it with a higher score — and that is saying a lot since I practically gave it four stars.

The defeated Garret is immediately taken before the Priestess for his fate to be decided. Before Gwynn, the townspeople, and all the Blackbloods, it is discussed whether or not Garret’s actions are to be considered murder.

What an interesting question!

Garret’s job is to protect Gwynn with his own life. Any danger that heads her way should be retrieved by him and reversed in the opposite direction. Not necessarily an easy job but like I said before, fairly straightforward.

But here is the thing, the moment in which Garret chooses to kill the Blackfist, Gwynn is in no sort of danger. Sure, she is a prisoner like the rest of the townspeople, yet there isn’t currently a threat to her livelihood. 

This is where things get tricky with the Priestess playing up Gwynn’s love of justice. Empathy can be a double-edged sword and the Priestess uses that to her favor. Gwynn — being a just ruler — wants peace whenever possible.  

If the death of one person can mean the saving of countless others, Gwynn will take the expense on her own shoulders. I can’t say that I agree with her decision, but then again, I’m not the one with an entire town under my ruling. 

Is Gwynn making the right decision in trading one man’s life for peace? It really depends on whose shoes you are in at the time. 

Being fans of the show and the noble Garret Spears, it is easy to think that Gwynn is making the hugest mistake of her life. But the Priestess puts up a good point that Gwynn cannot refute in good measure. If things happened the other way around, what would she do?

Although the Priestess has a valid point, this is ultimately manipulation — plain and simple. 

Without being able to truly understand the Blackbloods’ motives, it is difficult not to hate them at the moment. They have been through hell, but one kind of wishes they would go back there and soon.

The sad part is that the Blackbloods were originally good people. Their circumstances and environment have changed them into hardened creatures with a thirst for their own kind of redemption.

Does that make them bad people? 

Tobin: This isn’t peace, this is tyranny!

Working promptly, the Blackbloods string up Garret and prepare to drown him. I’m surprised this scene holds as much intensity as it does. After all, Garret “died” last season making it unlikely they will pull the same stunt again. 

With quick thinking on Janzo and Talon’s part, a convincing death performance is dramatized in front of the entire town and no one is the wiser. Thankfully, they don’t play out this ruse longer than they do. Garret’s “death and resurrection” lasts only a mere 15 minutes at tops.

I believe this is mostly done to have Garret placed in a separate piece of the storyline, able to move about in a different narrative than the rest of the cast. I know some people aren’t typically happy when the writers split the main clique apart, but honestly it gives the characters more to do.

All while this is unfolding, Janzo is interacting with the Priestess’ daughter helping her uncover the mysteries of the box. They are truly two peas in a pod. 

Their interactions with one another are the cutest element of the episode. While Garret and Talon deliver the adult romance — complete with canoodling this time around — Janzo and Wren have the budding elements of puppy love. This relationship foreplay is fun and gives some relief to the more serious side of the episode. 

Dark, spooky, and tragic — but don’t fret! Here are a pair of kooky characters to give you a smile amongst the despair.

Wren’s quirks play well against the sinister vibes given by her mother. I believe her relationship with Janzo will play a large part in saving The Outpost in the later episodes. 

Her motives seem to only want to appease her mother’s harsh attitude. It makes one believe that the Blackbloods aren’t as far gone as they seem. Hopefully, she can make the others see humans for what they really are — only time will tell. 

This brings us to the ever-so-lovable Munt. Oh, Munt! Your one-liners never cease to make me chuckle.

Your confusion during pivotal moments and your failure to have any amount of embarrassment in public are quite riotous. If only you were able to play a more important part in the show…

Oh wait… what was that? Do you have an opinion? Something that adds to the moral crisis at the center of the episode? Do speak up my friend.

Yes, believe it or not, Munt proves to be the voice of reason this time around. His well-thought-out words give a clear picture of the harshness of war.

He admits to Tobin that after burying so many people last time around, he wishes to avoid ever doing that again. His cause is peace forevermore. 

I love when side roles develop into layered characters. A man who has learned lessons the hard way throughout his life is bound to have knowledge others don’t. Let him speak of his lessons to teach others. 

As things winds down, many of the townspeople find themselves in a familiar situation to the beginning of the episode. Unfortunately, this time around Gwynn’s life is in actual danger.

With a knife risen to Gwynn’s throat, the elderly Captain comes to her aid. Proving to be as noble as Garret himself, he puts himself in harm’s way —unarmed to boot!

This scene mirrors the opening one perfectly — literally putting the roles into reverse. 

Gwynn has no qualms in applying the same amount of pressure to the Priestess as was applied to her. Gwynn, true to her character, doesn’t back down until the Priestess reluctantly agrees that the crime must be punished.

Wow! What excellent writing. Not only do they tell you to consider how someone else feels in a situation, but they also allow you to watch it unfold similarly. 

It really makes one wonder about the definition of good and bad. 

We tend to view ourselves as being in the right during most given circumstances, but just because we may actually be right does that mean the other person is wrong? 

These really are things to think about. 

While I hope you are never in a situation with these dire of consequences, I hope next time you find yourself in a predicament you can ponder everything that developed here. 

Overall, this is a top tier episode with an important lesson to tell from many different angles. If the season keeps up with this incredible storytelling, there is no guessing how popular the series will become. 

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Do you trust the Priestess? 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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