The Outpost Review: Where Death Lives (Season 3 Episode 12)

Everyone knows that the past doesn’t always stay behind us. Events that may have served a crucial part in who we have become often sneak up on us in a way that we must face them — no matter how difficult that may be.

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 12, “Where Death Lives,” is an intense episode that helps fill in some of our favorite heroes’ backstories. These moments are not only informative, but emotional as well. 

As the episode begins we have Talon, Wren, and Zed all entering The Plane of Ashes. While this land is foreign to Talon, the other two are uncomfortably at home. This barren wasteland stirs many memories for them — and none of them quite positive.

Before I get too far, I must admit I have a complaint about The Plane of Ashes. This land seems fake.

In no way do I get the feeling that anyone would be able to live here for any extended amount of time. At the least, there isn’t even any animal or foliage around for subsistence. 

But anyway, back to my point.

The Plane of Ashes is a hell-like dimension where Zed, Wren, and a majority of the other Blackbloods were imprisoned until Talon was tricked into letting them out. This is a land of pain and torture, lacking any amount of comforts besides companionship. 

Just stepping foot in this place has to have taken a grand amount of courage for Wren and Zed. Their actions in accompanying Talon to their former prison must have taken a vast amount of calculations.

When we have to dive into our past, it is best not to do so blindly. If we don’t take the proper precautions, we can easily fall back into bad habits just waiting to re-enslave us. One of the best ways to do this is to focus on how far you’ve come since you’ve started.

Well-prepared, Zed, Talon, and Wren, quickly pull up their masks and ready their weapons for whatever may pounce on them the second they make the wrong move. But even the best-laid plans go awry when Zed’s brother, Corven, tackles them to the ground.

Although Corven is the exact man they are looking for, the truth he represents is no easier to swallow. 

At some point in life, we are going to mess up big time. Cheating on a lover, taking a gamble that leaves us broke, etc, etc. These actions will hurt us severely, but they will also take others down with us. This is exactly what happened with Corven.

Corven was mortally wounded in a battle, and Wren was the only healer remotely capable of helping. Her lack of experience caused her to panic at the situation. She acted in naivety and inexperience costing her patient a severe price for it.

Corven’s body is completely healed but his mind is fractured.

Since the event, the man spouts gibberish and riddle-like wisdom at near every moment. It is obvious he is one fry short of a happy meal, and the guilt of this weighs heavily on Wren’s shoulders. 

Who can blame her?

Her actions led to a compromise in someone’s sanity. In turn, his fractured mentality has caused a rift in his family’s relationship. He now views Zed as the man who abandoned him and their parents. 

Talk about the domino effect!

Through bickering and flat-out yelling, Wren, Zed, and Corven uncover pieces of their past that have led them to their current state. At first, the truth hurts, but eventually it brings healing. 

While things aren’t all happy-go-lucky, at least all of their cards are out on the table. They can all see these events for what they are — unintended tragedy.

Zed: How can I hate you? Corvin doesn’t hate you — all I see is gratitude. You saved his life.

Only once we see the full picture can we begin to move on. Things may never be the same but at least they can be better.

Further along in the episode, Gwynn and Tobin have their own heart-to-heart.

Tobin approaches Gwynn with a humble demeanor, admitting to her that Falista has freed him from their marriage. Gwynn gives a premature sigh before she hears Tobin’s full truth. 

There will come a time in your life where you may have options to escape the faults of your past. Unfortunately, at least one of these options will be less than honest. Like Gwynn, it will be hard not to jump to the easiest of conclusions.

As Tobin fully explains the situation, he informs Gwynn that he wishes to stay married to Falista — his childhood love. 

Obviously, Gwynn is hurt. She feels betrayed by her former lover, and for good reason. The easy solution has to be what is best, right? 

After asking Tobin to leave, Gwynn goes directly to Garret to help think things through. Her connection with Garret helps her to see the hypocrisy in her anger.

Growing up, Gwynn and Garret were inseparable. Two young lovebirds enjoying their early years in each other’s arms. You can’t get much more romantic than that. 

These memories of years past create a sense of empathy inside Gwynn she didn’t have earlier.

The pains of our past can guide us into better decision making. If we see ourselves in someone else’s shoes, we can find a better way to help them.

Gwynn finally understands that Falsita and Tobin’s relationship is quite similar to her relationship with Garret. The only difference is that Tobin and Falista have the opportunity to live happily ever after. Who is she to stand in their way?

Finally, we have Talon confronting her past by attempting to chase down her father. 

Talon’s father left her family ages ago causing her to eventually become an orphan. She has faced many hardships in her life due to her father’s decision. If she never saw the man again she would probably be better off, but her need for answers about the black kinj precedes that.

Sometimes we have to travel a difficult path to achieve the greater good. The pains of past trauma fly straight at us, and we try our best to dodge them. Eventually, we zig when we were supposed to zag, and it all hits us flat in the face.

Our eyes water in pain. We simply don’t want this — it is too painful. But to make things right we must push through against all odds.

It is clear Talon fears the possibility of her father being alive just as much as she fears him being dead. She is emotionally torn.

When we come to the difficult paths of life, we won’t always know what we want for the outcome. The solution won’t be apparent, but we have to see things through. 

If Talon listens to others, writing off the possibility her father could still be alive, Talon will forever live her life in “what if” scenarios. She faces the past, the hurt, and raw emotion. She knows what must be done.

Although this will tear open old wounds, Talon pushes on, and so should we. Because ultimately, pain can be a purifier.

As the episode wraps up, we are left emotionally spent. Our heroes have taught us yet another valuable lesson so that we don’t have to live it out the hard way.  

Our past doesn’t define us, but it can help us become who we truly are.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Who will receive the black kinj? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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