Swamp Thing Review: The Price You Pay (Season 1 Episode 6)

Swamp Thing Season 1 Episode 6, “The Price You Pay,” takes a closer look at who the people of Marais believe is worth saving. This results in an attempt to add more to Matt Cable, and a failure to do so with Jason Woodrue and Daniel Cassidy. 

Luckily for this show, it will always have Alec and Abby to lean back on.

“The Price You Pay” confirms that Matt is the one who blew up Alec’s boat, which is still unbelievable. He can’t tell Abby he likes her but he can blow a man up to “protect” his mom? There’s a disconnection there that’s impossible to overlook.

It’s believable that people can be pushed past their limits to protect the ones they love, especially in a town like Marais. However, Swamp Thing never gives a reason to believe that Matt would be such a person.

What could have been a shocking twist feels more like a betrayal of what little is known about Matt. This is because Swamp Thing doesn’t spend an adequate amount of time with him until now.

There are still episodes left, meaning there’s still a chance to make sense of Matt. It would be in the show’s best interest to lean into Matt’s arc rather than assume it all makes sense and move on because, well, it doesn’t.

“The Price You Pay” is a very odd step in that direction.

On the other hand, there aren’t many ways to say that Avery Sunderland is beyond redemption. Woodrue isn’t far behind his benefactor now. Woodrue is an active participant in Avery’s grand scheme, and this episode pushes Woodrue closer to the dark side.

His complacency is undeniable and nearly eclipsed by his own desire for recognition in the science community. He is willing to disregard the necessary steps in experimentation in favor of Sunderland’s funding.

Woodrue doubles down on his terrible decision instead of recognizing his desires are becoming too similar to Sunderland’s and leaving when his wife Caroline gives him an out.

Woodrue’s regret, hesitation, and frustration is palpable in his confrontation with Avery and Cassidy at the end of the episode. Nevertheless, it’s not enough to believe he will change.

Woodrue and Sunderland were made to be crooked business partners that scam and hurt people to get to the top. If anything, Woodrue’s determination to align himself with the worst part of Sunderland only makes me more sympathetic for Caroline.

She needs to get away from Woodrue and out of Marais as soon as possible because this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

It’s unfortunate that Swamp Thing only brings Caroline back as a means to shake Woodrue from his bad behavior streak. This is aggravating because the show introduces her as an excellent scientist and briefly touches on a medical issue but never circles back around to either.

Give us less of Jason Woodrue and more of Caroline Woodrue, Swamp Thing. She would never experiment on Daniel Cassidy, let alone work with Avery Sunderland on such a nefarious project.

Speaking of Daniel Cassidy, this show fails to give us any real answers about his mysterious deal. The flashbacks don’t reveal any new information, and that’s frustrating. There are only four episodes left and one of the biggest mysteries is why Daniel is stuck in Marais.

Hopefully, Swamp Thing is leading up to a big reveal with this storyline or it’s all going to feel like a waste of time. It’s hard to stay interested in whatever Daniel’s destiny may be when this episode refuses to disclose any detail that could keep us engaged.

Alec Holland being human for less than a minute is the most coherent and entertaining aspect of “The Price You Pay.” Alec and Abby’s reunion is enough to reignite interest in an otherwise frustrating episode.

Thankfully Swamp Thing has a saving grace in Abby and Alec’s connection.

What did you think of this episode of Swamp Thing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Swamp Thing airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

10 TV Characters Whose Faces We’ve Never Seen (and 5 Whose Voices We’ve Never Heard)