Pantheon Season 1 Episode 6 Review: You Must Be Caspian

Please note this review contains spoilers for Pantheon Season 1 Episode 6, “You Must Be Caspian.”

Pantheon Season 1 Episode 6, “You Must Be Caspian,” raises the stakes as we reach the homestretch of Pantheon Season 1.

For the first time since Pantheon Season 1 Episode 2, “Cycles,” we don’t start the episode with Chanda. Instead, “You Must Be Caspian” picks up with Caspain, whose whole world was turned upside down on Pantheon Season 1 Episode 5, “Zero Daze.”

Caspian handles learning his life is some sort of nightmare-esque Truman Show extraordinarily well initially. By the end of the episode, though — when he learns about Chanda’s big plan — it’s too much. He freaks out in his very monotone Caspian way and takes off.

Considering that it hasn’t even been a full day since he found out his whole life is a lie, and he is thrown into the middle of events that could change the very fabric of reality, it’s hard to blame him.

The kid just needs to take a beat before being responsible for saving the world. 

That whirlwind of revelations is part of why his moment with Maddie is so welcomed. That moment of calm and connection between Maddie and Caspian gives viewers a chance to breathe before things really get crazy. It is definitely a needed pause.

There were a lot of moving parts to wrap our heads around before Chanda reveals his plan. Slowing things down for a bit and recentering the characters is a chance to reset before the next shoe drops. 

It’s also nice to see Maddie and Caspian have a sweet and — most importantly –genuine moment. A moment with another person who understands some of what they are going through. 

Similarly, Justine coming to check on Maddie is a surprisingly endearing moment. Justine is a character I hadn’t given much thought to before “You Must Be Caspian.”

There was so much else to keep track of, and she simply wasn’t on my radar. I wasn’t invested in her before, but I am now. 

Maddie needs a ride-or-die friend. Caspian will eventually be a friend too, but that will be complicated. Justine could be that uncomplicated friendship Maddie needs. A confidant who is just Maddie’s. Someone who has her back and that she can rely on.

That is, of course, if the world doesn’t end before they have to go back to school.

I didn’t even know how much I wanted that for Maddie until this episode, but I do. I don’t think there is time left in Season 1 to develop that relationship too much or get to know Justine and any significant way, though. Luckily, Pantheon Season 2 has already been ordered, so fingers crossed for more Justine in next season.

Then there’s Chanda. The episode didn’t begin with Chanda this time, but he is central to it. In fact, Chanda plays a more significant part on this episode than any other, and I’m here for it. 

Chanda’s story has been one of the more intriguing from the start. His story hasn’t gone the way I expected. Still, through all the turns his story has taken, he has remained the most interesting character of the series. 

I initially thought Lori would go off the rails, but since Pantheon Season 1 Episode 4, “The Gods Will Not Be Chained,” she has been more grounded than she originally appeared.

And that’s despite the fact that her deterioration is further along. She should be the one breaking, but it turns out it’s Chanda who needs to be stopped.

The one flaw with Chanda’s development on “You Must Be Caspian” is that we never actually see him learn to use his powers or any of his downward spiral on previous episodes. 

We see his power as he takes his revenge, and we get hints of his loneliness and rage when he talks to his mom. Still, we don’t actually see him go from point A to point B.

It would have been nice to see some of that progression the way we have with David. It would have made his story a bit more believable and a lot more relatable.

That flaw is made up for, though, with “You Must Be Caspian’s” incredibly cool animation during Chanda’s explanation of his story. It’s more stylized than most of the series’ animation and looks amazing. 

I’d love to see the series do more of that on future episodes. The normal animation for the series is great, but the times where it takes that more stylized approach gives it a surreal vibe and amplifies the tone the show is going for. 

“You Must Be Caspian” is another stellar episode of an excellent series. I would have liked to have seen more of Chanda’s journey before his debut as a big world-ending threat. Other than that one gripe, though, there isn’t a moment of this episode that isn’t riveting. 

What did you think of this episode of Pantheon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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