The Outpost Review: Nothing Lasts Forever (Season 4 Episode 13)

I’ve dreaded this moment for weeks — the day the final episode of The Outpost airs. I convinced myself there was no possible way they could wrap everything up in a neat little bow, giving us a satisfying conclusion without leaving us with too many unanswered questions. I’m proud to admit I was wrong.

The Outpost Season 4 Episode 13, “Nothing Lasts Forever,” not only ends the season with an uplifting tone but it also concludes the series with scenes everyone has begged for. Although I’ve always been a big Gwynn and Garret shipper, I can not be saddened by the final breathtaking moments — I literally have tears of joy in my eyes.

Mushy stuff aside, let’s focus on the theme of the episode.

Season 4 has been largely based on decision-making. We always have a choice in the way things go, even if none of the possible outcomes are positive. This episode continues along those lines but focuses more precisely on acts of selflessness.

As the group talks to Aster mapping out the plan to take on the gods, they come to a major moral dilemma. Do they jeopardize their safety to free the Kahvi, or do they sacrifice an entire species for a better chance of surviving?

No one can blame them if they choose to save their family and friends. After all, the Kahvi could very well turn on them in a split second ensuring their defeat instead of victory. It almost seems like a no-brainer.

Their convictions have other plans. True heroes have a whole other way of thinking. It is better to make a sacrifice than to make someone else sacrifice for you.

The Kahvi are unique, almost like children in the way they are moldable. They have never been able to make their own decisions, making them purely innocent. 

By allowing the Kahvi to die, Talon and the crew would be reaping a harvest of innocent souls, staining their hands with black blood. They realize that if they don’t at least try to save them, they are no better than the gods themselves.

Aster sees things differently from the rest of the group, finding the Kahvi to be a liability instead. It is hard to blame him though, he alone has seen what this species is capable of.

He begrudgingly agrees to adjust the plan accordingly. His act of selflessness isn’t in this though. 

Aster: We have to give up something good for something better.

Aster knows the power of the gods. He knows their strengths and their weaknesses. He understands the only way to truly defeat these beings is to surrender everything for the greater good.

By allowing himself to die, Aster will give the humans and Blackbloods the upper hand when they need it most. It is needless to say that Aster most likely doesn’t want to die. His love for humans and Blackbloods trumps his desire to live and prosper among his children. 

By giving up what we want to help someone else flourish, we are truly giving of ourselves. There is no greater act of love than this. 

Although Aster claims he is no god, he acts like one. He sees his creation as something precious and worthy of the best life possible. By keeping his brethren alive on this planet, he is causing a great disservice to the Blackbloods. Therefore, he must make the ultimate sacrifice to keep them safe. 

I’m sure many of the parents out there would choose the same.

Janzo and Wren also put themselves in harm’s way by facing off with the newly awakened Kahvi. Their act of selflessness is taking a chance of dying to give the Kahvi free will. No matter how dark things get for them they refuse to give up on these people. 

What Wren and Janzo lack in combat, they more than make up for in intelligence. They use their minds to think through the situation but ultimately refuse common logic. They know that if they can break through to one Kahvi, they can all be saved.

Unpopular opinion here — faith is better than logic. Logic tells us that these things happen for certain reasons, but faith tells us good overpowers evil every time.

This is why we root for the underdog. This is why we don’t give up when the odds are against us. This is why we love when there seems like no possibility of receiving it back.

Faith, hope, and love. The three greatest words known to mankind. Without them, we would all die miserable people without a purpose. 

Wren and Janzo choose these words with their actions. They reach out to these people in need, and in time they overcome bringing honor to themselves and the people they are saving. 

It all ties in so beautifully together like so many other episodes of The Outpost. 

The writers would often look at a scenario from several different viewpoints and dissect it among several characters. They wouldn’t leave out the unpopular stances but instead include a fan favorite within the moral dilemma. 

This has always been one of my favorite aspects of the show. Among the might, magic, and relationships, there is always a lesson to be learned. No matter how far the characters travel from reality, they are grounded in real-life morals that can help us live our daily lives.

The truth is everything teaches us something, but not every lesson is worth learning. The writers of The Outpost have gone out of their way to make sure that what they have to say never goes to waste. One must only listen intently.

What did you think of this episode of The Outpost? Were you left with any unanswered questions? 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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