Let the Right One In Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Outings
Mark sets time aside for the finer things in life on Let the Right One In Season 1 Episode 4, “Outings.”
It’s unbelievable how this series continues to one-up itself with each passing episode. Instead of backtracking or slowing down, it continues full sail ahead, providing the best outing thus far.
Unlike previous episodes where Mark has neglected to provide himself with more than a mundane living, he’s forced to revel in the blessings that have come his way in recent weeks. Zeke adds one of his dishes to the menu; he’s celebrated by his head chef and pursued by a stunning woman. It’s a nice change of pace for Mark.
While these small moments of excitement and enjoyment don’t add any value to the bigger picture and issues at hand, it does provide an excellent sense of relief for the audience. The way Mark lives his life to protect Eleanor is admirable, but it’s been a bit repetitive and boring.
Allowing us to see Mark experiencing happiness once in a while does not harm the value of his storyline; instead, it adds intricate layers. The most heart-warming moment within the episode, hands down, is when Danielle honors Mark in front of the staff.
Danielle holds a certain respect for Mark, not just because he helped found the restaurant but because she knows how adamant he’s been about getting back in the game.
When he isn’t working on bettering his standing at the restaurant, he’s seeking a cure for Eleanor and being the best dad he knows how to be. It’s an admirable trait he possesses. Despite ten years of no answers, he’s still adamant about finding a solution, and that’s praiseworthy.
The same can be said for Zeke as well. It’s been ten years since he and Mark last ran in the same group, and now it’s as if nothing ever changed. It’s a touching factor that I love to see at the center of attention.
However, where things go astray is towards the end of “Outings,” when Zeke and Mark are confronted by the hitman keeping tabs on Mark. After everything Zeke has done to help turn Mark’s life around and provide for Eleanor, it’ll be interesting to see how they move forward.
It might be unwillingly, but Mark has now involved Zeke in an even bigger scandal than just burying a body. He’s been persistent about not wanting to be involved in anything serious, and now his life could very well be on the line.
At what point will Zeke draw the line and turn his back on Mark? It’s a pressing issue that I hope we don’t see answered. At least not within this first season.
Speaking of things going astray, Let the Right One In actively changes the dynamics between Eleanor and Isaiah on “Outings.” When Eleanor decides to take him out for a night on the town, things take a haunting turn for the two.
Instead of returning home after sneaking out to attend a magic show, Eleanor leads Isaiah into Queens, to the home she grew up in. It’s a daring sequence of events as the two break in and narrowly escape before being caught by the occupants of the dwelling.
However, in a swift moment, Isaiah clocks the writings along the doorframe, charting Eleanor’s growth as a child, noting the years from a decade prior. It’s a pivotal moment in Isaiah having an epiphany and putting all the clues together. But it feels like a poorly written sequence.
After ten years, it is not plausible that writing on a doorframe wouldn’t be painted over. I don’t believe there’s anyone who would willingly leave a growth chart for a child that isn’t theirs up for a decade. It just isn’t a robust solidifying moment for Isaiah’s sudden realization.
From the beginning, the series has made it a point to highlight the fact that Eleanor is slightly reckless. Since day one, she’s kept a minimal handle on her gifts and how she showcases them.
Falling from a tree with no thud, teleporting across rooms in front of crowds, glowing eyes, having to be invited in before being able to enter, and climbing along the sides of buildings. All these alarming factors should have alerted Isaiah to the fact that she’s not normal.
With that said, I’m still invested and fascinated to see where the story will go from this point.
Stray Thoughts:
- With each passing episode, Naomi gets closer and closer to discovering the truth about Frank, and I can’t wait.
- I’m inquisitive to see how Claire and Peter’s storylines will intersect with Eleanor’s later in the season. Their storyline isn’t dull, but I feel like adequate time isn’t provided for them.
- Claire’s mutation of her father’s formula essentially turns Matthew into a pain-seeking bloodsucker, and it’s slightly terrifying. We know the effect of the pills wears off eventually, but with a genetically altered version, there’s no telling what it’ll do long-term to Matthew.
What did you think of this episode of Let the Right One In? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Let the Right One In airs Sundays at 10/9c on Showtime.
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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.