The Outpost Review: Going to Meet The Gods (Season 4 Episode 4)

Some call it fate, karma, or just dumb luck. But what it boils down to is control. We have it in every situation, and what we do with it can spell triumph or tragedy. 

The Outpost Season 4 Episode 4, “Going to Meet The Gods,” puts our favorite characters in situations where they can take matters into their own hands, or coast under the guidance of others. Some prosper, while others falter, but all consciously make a decision that alters their path. 

At the end of Season 4 Episode 3, Corven decided to save his brother by sacrificing himself to the tip of an arrow. It was the noblest of choices and very much sets the tone of the current episode. Talon and Zed wander around constantly wondering if their lack of action could have caused all this bloodshed.

A while back, Zed made a promise to his brother. He told Corven at some point he would come back and rescue him from the Plane of Ashes. Although Zed had no clue of all that laid before him, I believe he meant it in complete earnest. 

Who wouldn’t want to save their family member from a version of hell? 

Through thick and thin Zed never forgot his promise — keeping it in the back of his mind during the most savage of battles. This includes even manipulating people when he had to. 

His adventures eventually led him back to his brother’s side where they argued, quipped, and harassed each other. While it never felt like the blessed reunion it should have been, we could all tell they had a shared love for each other — no matter how conflicted it was. 

With Corven’s death, Zed can’t help but feel responsible. If maybe he acted differently, quicker, or smarter, maybe he could have rescued his brother sooner. We all fall into this trap, choosing to lay the blame on ourselves and letting guilt have control.

Much like Zed, we allow the scenario to constantly replay in our heads, looking for different outcomes that seem more apparent after the fact. If only I said this, instead of that. If I acted sooner, then they could have done this instead. 

While it isn’t a complete waste of time to review the actions of the past, it is useless to beat yourself up over them. Consequences are what they are, and we have to learn to live with them. There is no changing them, only learning from them.

Talon is wise to point out that Corven died a hero. 

If Corven wasn’t in the Plane of Ashes, he wouldn’t have been able to save the children or been there to rescue his brother. He used his choices and situation wisely, building himself a legacy in the process.

Although a source of comfort to Zed, Talon deals with remorse of her own.

Over the last few episodes, Zed repeatedly asked Talon to bring the Blackbloods out from the portal. She was unprepared for this, letting the blame fall on the timing. Without an agreed-upon ruler of the realm, she felt it would be hasty to unleash more drama on the Outpost. 

Within that time, the Blackbloods were defeated by the Blackfists in a savage battle. Talon had no way of knowing this would befall her people. Deep down she realizes this — but refuses to admit it.

Her conscience pounces on her profoundly, telling her that if she acted sooner, more of her people would still be alive. There could be some truth in this, but there is no way of knowing. 

Under debate with her overstressed mind, Talon realizes that even if she freed her people earlier, the calamity may have been worse if humans were involved. The Blackfists would have still overcome the Blackbloods, but the blood of her friends would have been on their hands as well. 

Talon: I knew it, you blame me for the slaughter!

Zed and Talon take control of the narrative playing in their minds, canceling out the guilt and remorse frolicking on repeat. They silence the should-haves, could-haves, and would-haves, understanding that the events — although tragic — ended the way they had to. 

Grabbing control of their thoughts gives them newfound clarity and allows them to put their best foot forward on their newest mission.

Falista and Tobin on the other hand, do nearly the complete opposite of Zed and Talon. In a state of confusion, they allow others to misguide them. Unfortunately, they follow along like lost puppies. 

From the looks of it, Falista will never be a great queen. She cares more about respect and power than she does about the people she reigns over. 

Feeling powerful with her kinj, she has no qualms about using fear as an ally to force everyone into submission. Unfortunately for her, the threat of pain and possible death isn’t enough to make everyone fall in line. This makes Falista feel weak and out of control.

In desperation, Falista approaches Two for help. She hands the little control she has over to Two, allowing her to meld her mind into putty. Two’s schemes ultimately become Falista’s thoughts.

When we hand control over to someone else we best know what their intentions are.

If I ask my wife for advice on something, I know she will respond in love, leading me in the path of best intentions. But if I ask some random co-worker, it turns into a fifty-fifty chance. 

I don’t know this co-worker all that well. How well do they live their life? Who are they accountable to? 

This is essentially what Falista is doing. She is taking advice from someone she barely knows and taking their words as gospel. We all realize that Falista is being manipulated by Two, but her hunger to rule supersedes her common sense. 

Tobin is an even better example of how badly this can take shape. He sees all that Two is doing to his wife, but refuses to step completely out of bounds. He repeatedly tells Falista that they shouldn’t trust Two, but stupidly he continues to obey Falista’s every decision. 

One has to question Tobin’s mental state right now. 

If he knows Two is evil and realizes that everything Falista does is under her guidance, then why would he only dish out the most limited of arguments? Tobin has shown great integrity at times, but it is clear something is holding him back.

My guess is that he is blinded by love. 

When we love someone we often try to put them in the best light possible. We ignore some of their most glaring flaws if it doesn’t suit the mental picture we paint of them. 

This can be a disservice to our loved one and ourselves. If we refuse to see what is right before our eyes, we take the chance of stumbling in their footprints. If we are both on the ground, it is more difficult to help each other up. 

This just very well might be the road that Tobin and Falista are traveling together. A road that leads to deception, denial, and death. 

If Tobin and Falista could face the truth and once again gain control of their lives, maybe they could right their footing, gain traction, and start the ascension up the slippery slope they trodded down. 

Only they can fix the brokenness before them. Friends like Garret and Janzo can lend them a hand, but the responsibility to take in the reigns of life fall solely on their own heads. 

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Will Falista see her folly before it is too late? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Quiz: How Well Do You Know ‘The Outpost’?