The Outpost Review: Violence Is Futile (Season 3 Episode 13)

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 13, “Violence Is Futile,” brings us to the climatic conclusion of the season. With stakes higher than ever, everyone must sacrifice something to triumph through tragedy.

As Episode 12 ended, Talon came face-to-face with her father, Sai-Vek. For many years Talon has hated her father for abandoning her and her family. Without him, they all suffered many great pains and losses — leaving Talon ultimately alone. 

Sai-Vek understands her disdain for him. Who wouldn’t have daddy issues after going through everything Talon did? Come on, she cut off the pointy tips of her ears!

Instead of judging Talon harshly, Sai-Vek commends her for her bravery. He thoroughly understands the heavy price of survival because he too has given up much in his lifetime. 

Years ago when Talon severed the tips of her ears to fit in, she sacrificed one of her final attachments to her family. It is hard to imagine not only the physical pain but the mental anguish as well. Letting go of something that sets you apart is a special kind of sacrifice. 

Sai-Vek explains to Talon because of the black kinj inside of him, he has lived a life of loneliness. Although he never once wanted to abandon his family or people, he did so to protect them all.

Essentially, Sai-Vek is death incarnate. Everything he touches dies instantly — even a loving hug from his daughter would end in her untimely death. Can you imagine never being able to feel the loving touch of your family ever again?

This is Sai-Vek’s cold and harsh reality. His sacrifice was to give up everyone he ever loved for eternity. 

Pushing people you love away for their own sake may be one of the hardest decisions one ever makes.

Talon’s forgiving heart sees this all for what it is. She has no taste for holding grudges as shown by her relationship with Zed, Garret, and Gwynn. Now that he is back in her life, she wants Sai-Vek to stay there.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans.

Throughout the discussion of the black kinj, Sai-Vek explains the ins and outs of its power. It is a complicated little bugger that proves far more a curse than any kind of blessing.

They learn they can use the kinj to defeat the seemingly immortal Yavalla — but it will cost them quite dearly. 

Wren immediately jumps into the discussion knowing that she is a very good candidate to receive the kinj and face down her mother. Sadly, Wren speaks faster than her mind works, and she realizes after the fact that she may not be emotionally strong enough to destroy her mother.

Gwynn: There is nowhere to run.

I’ll admit, I have a complicated relationship with my parents. I may not see them much, but I in no way wish them death.

Wren is quite the same. Her relationship with her mother is beyond strained, but even at the worst of times, Wren wanted to spare her mother’s life if at all possible.

Wren is wise to second guess her decision. It is better not to sacrifice in vain. 

With Wren backing out, Zed jumps headfirst into the driver’s seat nearly demanding that he takes on the power of the kinj.

Zed has to feel a great amount of guilt about forcing Talon to free Yavalla. If it wasn’t for him, a large portion of this mess never would have taken place. 

He most likely feels he must sacrifice himself to save the realm because guilt can be a major motivator. 

I can’t count how many times I’ve done things out of misplaced guilt. I’ve messed up big time in so many ways, but the truth is sacrifice can’t fix everything. Forgoing happiness to amend your sins typically doesn’t end well — hearts often stay broken.

Although Wren and Zed volunteer themselves to the cause, Sai-Vek refuses their requests. There has been enough pain and death by his hand. He must act alone in one final attempt to end Yavalla’s reign of terror. 

Talon opens a portal, and off they go back to The Outpost ready for the battle ahead. Quickly they realize their friends are in a bit of trouble and join the fight. 

The Outpost is entirely outnumbered by The United. Falista and Janzo are down for the count, Gwynn is cornered, and the possibility of failure is higher than ever. I can feel the desperation rising inside of me.

With some fancy footwork and fierce battle techniques, Talon, Gwynn, and Sai-Vek escape the fight in search of Yavalla. It isn’t long before she finds them instead.

As she tightens the vice she has on them, Yavalla gains the upper hand and is ready to squeeze out their very last breath. Unknowingly, Wren saves them by once again offering her life up as a sacrifice. 

With The United surrounding her, Wren holds a blade to her own throat. She tells her mother she would rather die than become one of The United.

This extreme action brings everything to a halt. As horrible as Wren and Yavalla’s relationship has become, they still love each other. 

Ultimately, they are both sacrificing what they want at the moment. 

Yavalla wants nothing more than to defeat Talon, Gwynn, and Sai-Vek, but she puts it on hold to stop her daughter from harming herself.

Wren in no way wants to die, but she feels it is a better choice than joining The United. Their standoff is intense and possibly one of the best moments of the season.

The tension between the mother and daughter rivals Garret and Zed’s sword fight. Both are excitingly terrifying in the best of ways.

As nearly every hope is dashed throughout The Outpost, Gwynn places herself at the head of the battle. She knows she is the only one who can save the realm.

Without a kinj, she alone can receive Sai-Vek’s power. Without a second thought, she accepts it.

Immediately my heart is crushed. The Queen of The Outpost finally earns her title.

Throughout each season of The Outpost Gwynn has made mistake after mistake, trusting her heart over her head and giving second chances to those who deserve none. 

Each time she has meant well and learned lessons along the way, leading her to this very moment — her final decision to save the kingdom. 

Gwynn takes no time to think things through. She knows the battle is lost. If she doesn’t act now, Yavalla wins for good. 

The honor of dying for your people is reserved for only the greatest of rulers, and Gwynn proves herself to be one of the elite. 

Her sacrifice is pure. She doesn’t do it out of guilt or obligation. She does it out of love.

Gwynn truly loves her people to the grandest extent, and she proves it wholeheartedly. 

While her death seems quick and painless, it will not be quickly forgotten. Her people will honor her memory forever. 

I doubt I will ever have to make a decision quite like this, but if I do, I hope to keep Gwynn’s actions centered in my mind. 

Like I said before, guilt is a great motivator but love trumps that. 

An ounce of love is the greatest gift in the world you can give to somebody. Make sure you pour it out on somebody each day of your life. 

Love is the unending gift that will always return to you — no matter how much you hand out. 

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? What do you hope to see in the next season? 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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