The Outpost Review: Guardian of the Asterkinj (Season 4 Episode 11)

When we make the wrong decisions, we tend to carry the weight of the world on our backs. We second guess our actions and deduce that everything that unfolds is solely our fault. While this is sometimes the truth, a self-inflicted guilt trip rarely does anyone any good.

The Outpost Season 4 Episode 11, “Guardian of the Asterkinj,” displays several different characters retreating into a sullen state because of the path they have chosen. By accepting all fault they feel they are being humble, but in actuality, they are only making matters worse.

As the episode begins, Janzo, Wren, and Garret speak about what has happened throughout the last couple of episodes. 313 was introduced to a world of choices and options by Wren and Janzo. Seeing that he doesn’t always have to do what the Masters tell him, 313 chose to act out against his newfound friends and tried to release his family.

Looking back on the entire situation, Wren and Janzo see where they went wrong. After all, hindsight is twenty-twenty vision. If Janzo hadn’t given 313 free will, none of this might have happened. 

Ouch! Being in this sort of situation has to be tough. All Janzo had to do was nothing, but instead, he acted out of compassion.

Unfortunately, compassion can lead to naivety. Sometimes we look for the best in bad people, giving them the benefit of the doubt even though they don’t deserve it.

Plain and simple, Wren and Janzo felt empathy for 313 and acted accordingly. Although 313 chose unwisely, they had no way of knowing. 313 showed no signs of hostility at any point.

Now even deeper into the dire predicament, Janzo and Wren are confused. Do they continue to forgive 313’s actions? Or do they punish 313 for his first major decision?

Their guilty conscience tells them to stop while they are ahead, but their empathy overrides their doubt. If they act in good faith, maybe 313 will see their motives are pure.

The guilt trip does nothing more than waste everyone’s time, confusing acts of love with ingenious hope. 

Munt and Zed also have trouble dealing with the consequences of their choices. 

As Zed tends to Munt’s wounds, Munt asks about the whereabouts of Nedra. Was she successful in her mission? Are they all saved?

With a heavy heart, Zed tells Munt the truth — Nedra has fallen in battle. Immediately Munt shoulders the blame. 

Munt sees his actions through a narrow scope. He gave Nedra the kinj, so therefore he is responsible for her death. It seems like a fairly reasonable deduction. 

Munt beats himself up with tears in his eyes. One can’t help but feel sorry for the man. What a rough trip he has been on this season!

The truth of the matter is if Munt kept the kinj to himself, he would be dead in her place. In this case, trading a life for a life would have solved nothing. 

Zed is wise to point this out to Munt, using similar words to comfort him.

Amidst Zed’s compassion towards Munt, Zed heaves the misconduct upon himself. 

He was the one who passed the kinj first. He was the one who refused to stand his ground and ran. 

Again, these arguments are fair enough, but they ultimately are just a game of self-torture. No amount of blame can change the outcome of most situations. It is just a habit people fall into as they process unfavorable circumstances.

Further along, Talon sits in indecision questioning if she should awaken Aster or kill him. 

This is a rather weighty decision, to be honest. There is no clear-cut answer on which way to choose.

Aster is related to the other gods who have shown their intent to be sinister from day one. But the other gods are known to suit Aster with the name traitor whenever referring to him. Does one fact negate the other?

313: I will not fail you master.

Talon’s problems are multiplied by the wrong decision she made last season. 

Going against her gut feeling, Talon brought Yavallah into the Outpost and allowed her to receive a kinj. This is something Talon has regretted doing for quite some time now.

The guilt of her actions eats away at her, causing Talon to doubt her every move. Her instincts at one point were razor-sharp, but now they are riddled with doubt. 

Memories of a failed past serve two purposes. One is to teach us a lesson, the other is to guide our future steps. 

Instead of using these memories wisely, Talon uses them to promote fear in herself, ultimately causing her to become paralyzed with inaction.

Luna, seeing her friend in peril, uses logic to free Talon from her self-defeating cycle. 

If Talon chose wrong before by going against her gut, then the only reasonable reaction is to follow it this time around.

Our instincts were given to us for a couple of reasons. They are there to help us feel out danger ahead of time and to save us from becoming our own worst enemies.

If we let guilt get in the way of those purposes, our instinct is nothing more than a party favor. 

Overall, this episode is rather emotional for everyone. Most of the characters are processing everything that has happened so far in the season and trying to figure out where they all went wrong. 

They decide they’re the ones to blame for the tragedy that is befalling the realm. To a degree they are right, but that doesn’t stop them from moving forward. Nor should you.

The biggest mistake we make is to claim permanent residence in the past. The truth is that it can’t be changed, no matter how hard we try. 

Accept the past for what it is, a moment in time that can only be used as a reference. 

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Has Talon made a mistake with Aster? 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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