Swamp Thing Review: Long Walk Home (Season 1 Episode 8)
It’s through the persistent awfulness of Avery Sunderland that the mere humanity of Abby Arcane is the life-saving breath of Swamp Thing Season 1 Episode 8, “Long Walk Home.”
This episode proves that Avery Sunderland is far from worthy of redemption. His traumatic childhood and brief moment of empathy pale in comparison to his black heart and selfish ways.
Swamp Thing’s major themes of evolution and survival lead us to believe there’s something better for most of these characters. There’s a desire to see Abby mix a perfect elixir that will restore Alec Holland’s form and somehow save people from an illness that doesn’t even exist yet.
However, that optimism never once extends to Avery, and, now the same can be said of Woodrue. They’re so far gone and disillusioned by their own desire for money and fame that it’s impossible to pull them back.
“Long Walk Home” is the first time Swamp Thing looks at these men as the villains they are. Sure, Woodrue shows slight resistance when a team of armed men attack an innocent Alec Holland. That doesn’t excuse Woodrue’s selfish reasons for even going to the swamp to talk to Alec in the first place.
As for Avery, Swamp Thing gives us a glimmer of hope in that Alec could benefit from Avery’s wealth and resources, but that fades so quickly it’s hard to even remember it existed. Any part of Avery that wants to reason with Alec and help him evaporates as soon as Avery can tell Alec is vulnerable.
Vulnerability isn’t strength to a man like Avery Sunderland. It’s a weakness he can capitalize on, and that’s exactly what he’s going to do with Alec Holland. Shocker, right?
Swamp Thing falls back on Avery’s predictably sinister ways just as often as it does Abby’s heroics, but one continues to keep us engaged while the other feels tired.
Avery continues to follow the same patterns of manipulation, and it’s exhausting to watch. Alternatively, it’s compelling to watch Abby’s confidence in herself, her study, and Alec grow in response to adversaries who want to use her as a pawn in their nefarious games.
Abby Arcane is the hero of this story, and that’s one thing this show has never denied. That’s why it’s impossible not to cheer when she tells Ellery off and races back to Marais. Abby’s belief in something better carries Swamp Thing at its lowest.
It becomes an even stronger force when paired with similar belief systems in Alec, Liz, and sometimes even Matt.
This episode fails Matt in that Swamp Thing doesn’t know what to do with him.
The past eight episodes haven’t revealed much of anything about Matt. There has to be more to know about him because I refuse to believe he’s as stale of a character as Avery. He’s worthy of more screen time that benefits him instead of always serving others.
Though, this is a familiar downside of Swamp Thing. It has yet to circle back around to Liz’s investigation of Avery Sunderland. It fails to provide any clarity about Daniel Cassidy. It only uses Caroline Woodrue and Madame Xanadu to try and steer the character in a different direction.
This isn’t to say that every citizen of Marais needs to have a detailed backstory with their own arcs featured on the show. That would be insane to require of a TV show, especially one with a ten-episode season.
It’s just unfortunate that Swamp Thing continually sidelines characters who are more often than not people of color with more interesting conflict and stories in favor of Avery doing the same thing in a different font every week.
Swamp Thing needs to do better, and it has two episodes left to try to do so. It won’t fall on its face by leaning on some of its laurels, because Crystal Reed shines as Abby Arcane.
However, the show cannot keep turning to Avery for compelling twists and turns.
Stray Observations
- Adrienne Barbeau who guest-stars on this episode as Dr. Palomar starred in the 1982 film Swamp Thing as Alice Cable. How cool is that?
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Swamp Thing airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.