Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail Review: Over the Mountain (Season 3 Episode 8)

A very strong season has slowly devolved into chaos and missed opportunities. With the addition of Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail Season 3 Episode 8, “Over the Mountain,” this anthology has become tiresome; bordering on repetitive. 

The social commentary is what makes this show the genius that it is. However, for weeks now we have been given example after example of ways that Benny is selfish. 

Instead of continuing to show his selfishness, Miracle Workers should work to show how he can grow and change, become better. It’s getting extremely tiring to see him jump ahead about five steps only to devolve to his previous wicked ways in the end.

There is supreme hope for him at the start of this episode when he does help his group prepare to survive the mountains ahead. It even continues when he is captured by Trig and then further captured by Prudence when she captures Trig. 

Surely the writers wanted us to see purpose in Benny’s lack of true growth but, isn’t it time he actually does some growing? If Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail Season 3 Episode 7, “White Savior” teaches us anything it’s that Benny has room to grow and the intention to do so.

It’s not really a worthy lesson if all Benny does is grow enough to “show” that he’s grown without having the know-how to back it up. I want to see Benny go one episode where his selfish behavior isn’t worth noting. I want him to help more than he hurts from now on. 

On that note, it should be mentioned that the story of Zeke doesn’t fair much better the further this season goes. What starts off as a character who is clearly strict in his beliefs has now been completely thrown out the window.

Save for a few well-timed laughs when the moment strikes. While it is important to show Zeke shed a bit more of his holier-than-thou attitude the extreme level the season has taken it to isn’t completely necessary. 

Again, I will mention that the cheating storyline wasn’t and still isn’t necessary to show this type of growth for Zeke. In fact, at this point, I believe it does more harm to his character than good. 

Zeke is no longer learning to “let loose” a little; he is shedding his whole personality entirely for a few moments of pleasure. Zeke and Prudence could continue their affair without it becoming sexual while Zeke figures out his marriage situation. 

By having him sexually cheat on his wife, Miracle Workers is ensuring that our opinions regarding Zeke’s constant faith are thrown out to the wolves. How can Zeke truly be a believable man of God after taking things to the next level?

A divorce is more believable for Zeke than choosing to physically cheat on his wife. Both are sins in the eyes of God, but a sexual affair is a more disastrous sin and more damaging to Zeke’s confidence and faith overall. 

It is no longer plausible that Zeke will do anything to save Prudence moving forward. If he sees what he has done with her as such a sin that it is plaguing their group with a curse, then why would he logically chase after her? 

The answer is, he wouldn’t. Zeke would go back to reconciling his relationship with God and trying to amend the faith his group has in him. While his marriage may be in shambles, he is still the kind of man who will want to fix it as best he can in the eyes of God. Going after his kidnapped lover is not a top motivation for him anymore.

Logically anyways. However, it’s very clear that the show is going to keep moving forward with this star-crossed lovers motif for Zeke and Prudence meaning Zeke will follow after her. It’s a true disservice to the character and I’m not sure I like where the story has gone for him.

Miracle Workers: Oregon Trail does continue to make choices based on showcasing the true talents of Radcliffe, Buscemi, and Viswanathan. However, there is a deep disconnect between these moments of humor and the motivations these characters should possess at this point in their journeys. 

Stray Thoughts

• Biggest surprise: Todd becoming a bandit! Honestly, I don’t hate it.
• We love a Phaedra/Dingus friendship.
• Nice touch with the exorcism reference, Miracle Workers.

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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