Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail Review: Hunting Party (Season 3 Episode 3)

While the humor isn’t as strong as it could be on Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail Season 3 Episode 3, “Hunting Party” the character development is still at the top of its game. 

The greatest thing about Miracle Workers, as a whole, is its ability to develop a new set of characters each season in a short amount of time. By the third episode, we have already chosen our favorites and are biting our nails hoping they succeed. 

Originally, Todd comes off as someone with no depth or motivation. He simply has money and knows how to flash it around to his advantage. 

However, on “Hunting Party” we get to dive a bit deeper into who he really is through Zeke. During their bonding over buffalo, it becomes apparent that Todd is more than he appears. 

This is a man who is using his flashy clothing and over-exuberant attitude to hide that he is extremely insecure about the future of his marriage with Prudence. He expresses a vulnerability we don’t see coming when he asks Zeke whether or not he should throw in the towel. 

Zeke gets his moment to grow as well by telling Todd his relationship is worth fighting for. At this point, we already know how Zeke feels regarding Prudence and so it comes as a bit of a surprise that he doesn’t try to sabotage her relationship with Todd. 

Some could argue that it is completely in line with who Zeke is as a godly man. However, I would like to argue his moral compass has been moving ever slightly the longer they are on the trail so he could’ve gone a different way. 

It is refreshing and relieving to see, at this point in the story, Zeke and Prudence’s relationship is taking a back-burner. Watching Zeke stand behind Prudence as Todd reads her the words Zeke wrote is heartbreaking.

We are all invested in the goodness of Zeke, and his future happiness, that we want him to come out on top. He is taking one for the team, which is admirable, albeit devastating. 

Going this route with regards to Zeke and Prudence is a tale as old as time, but still one worth rooting for. Unrequited love is something everyone can get behind because we’ve all been there.

The other bond of note during “Hunting Party” is Prudence and Benny. It’s the moment that really humanizes the bandit. 

Just like with Todd revealing his vulnerability, Benny has a moment of clarity with Prudence. He is a strong, tough-guy persona so, seeing him show his heart is an emotional event. 

Benny can no longer be seen as a heartless criminal, not after the loneliness he showed in his eyes when Prudence rejected the bandit life. While their whole training sequence is the highlight of the episode, the stronger moment of note comes just after.

It’s more important that we see Benny as more than just a one-note character. Prudence gives him that opportunity when she sees his loneliness and asks him to join the quilting circle. 

Not only does it show he has a softer side, but it also allows him to bond with other members of the party. I’ve said before that I think the real journey this season is going to be within Benny and Zeke — this episode further proves that. The trail life is hard, but maybe, just maybe it can change the hearts of our faithful leaders.

What did you think of this episode of Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail airs Tuesdays at 10:30/9:30c on TBS.

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