The Outpost Review: A Throne of Your Own (Season 4 Episode 2)

There are always two ways to enter every situation. One way is self-doubt, second-guessing each decision you come across, and losing yourself in the predicament. Or you can walk in with confidence, knowing exactly who you are and never going against your morals. 

The Outpost Season 4 Episode 2, “A Throne of Your Own,” expertly outlines both of these scenarios through Garret and Tobin. Their actions and responses show the rewards and pitfalls included in these kinds of decisions.

Garret is a soldier in every aspect. While he patrols the Outpost he is always on the lookout for the greater good, hoping to promote it in every way possible. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes the man to get in over his head. 

This happens early on in the episode when Garret charges at Two and Three to destroy them. Although he goes in with the utmost confidence, Garret refuses to take a moment to see the big picture — the Prime Order soldiers are within arms reach and willing to kill him if they have to. 

There is a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. Confidence is not backing down when you know what is right, but overconfidence is running into a fight when you are easily outnumbered. If Garret waited until a more opportune time maybe things could have ended differently, but unfortunately, he ends up in a jail cell.

From within a jail cell, it is very difficult to stand up for the greater good. Your words have less impact with very few people able to hear them. Not to mention, they seem weak and desperate no matter how meaningful they are.

Garret lost the battle, but he refuses to give up the war.

When Tobin comes to the jail, he asks Garret to pledge allegiance to Falista and him to save his own life. Honestly, it seems like a fair trade.

Play some lip service, and get your life back. No harm, no foul, roll credits.

But Garret won’t go down that easy now that he has taken the time to see things more clearly. Tobin and Falista are tangled up with Two and Three. If Garret honors the new king and queen, he is also honoring Two and Three — that is something he will never do.

Garret: That’s not how I choose to live my life.

Tobin argues that they are just playing along, essentially using them for the time being. There may be some truth in this, but it’s a dangerous game. The more you play with fire, the more likely you are to get burned.

Tobin leaves in disgust keeping Garret locked up and running out of hope. Even Garret’s fellow prisoner mocks him for not giving in. 

This truly is strength — standing up for your convictions at the price of your freedom.

I don’t believe I could ever be this brave, watching salvation walk out the door and refusing to bow in obedience. The man deserves a standing ovation. 

Where Garret conveys strength in character, Tobin exhibits doubt.

Poor Tobin. After being brought back from the dead everything has been happening so fast. He is king, royal advisor, and an honorary member of the Three. 

These are all very important roles, and they are making his head spin. Everything he says and does is questioned by either his wife or the Three. While he tries to look out for the greater good, like Garret, he is often overruled by the others. 

If he says high, they say low. If they say yes, he says no. What a convoluted roller coaster ride Tobin is on.

Of course, this steals any sense of confidence Tobin has causing him to act erratically. Knowing he is in over his head, Tobin decides to go to a trusted ally to sort things out. As discussed moments ago, Garret is less than willing to lend a hand to his friend under the conditions that are offered. 

Tobin greatly wants to please his wife. He loves Falista and only wants what is best for her. She refuses to see Two and Three as the threat that they are, viewing them instead as additional power. 

He argues with her, knowing what is right but acts in fear overall. 

Acting in fear is never a good decision. Your emotions get the best of you, and your beliefs are weakened. 

What if I tell a white lie? What if I just stand aside and let that bad thing happen? It all becomes a slippery slope, threatening to leave us at the bottom. 

Tobin sees this all playing out before him, and by the end of the episode he does something about it. 

A swift movement of the blade sets him free from the tyranny at hand, but the solution feels ominous. 

Although Tobin appears victorious, we don’t necessarily feel a sense of triumph. The doubting of his actions hasn’t made him a champion because something else even darker is looming in the sky. 

Yes, he now truly has power, but how will this power affect Tobin? 

From his overall actions on the episode, these powers may prove to be too much for Tobin. Power wielded in weakness is not power at all — it is a liability. 

While looking at this episode as a whole, one can’t help but wonder if they didn’t take inspiration from the 2020 election and its aftermath. 

People crying out for justice from both sides. Lies being spread and misinformation unfurled. All in all, people wanting the truth even though they aren’t sure what that looks like. 

As Lord Acton said many years ago, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority.” 

What that means for America and The Outpost is still hard to tell, but it seems it’s going to be one heck of a ride.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? How long will Garret be in jail? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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