Gen V Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Bags

For such a simple title, Gen V Season 2 Episode 4, “Bags,” is one of the best episodes of the season so far. It turns out Cipher was just getting warmed up when it comes to being an all-time villain.

Realizing he’s the key to everything, the trio reluctantly teams up with Cate based on the logic of the, “enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Which is sort of true, since Cate is also feeling threatened by the new dean.

It’s painful and sad to see Jordan and Cate reminisce only for them to admit they might hate Cate forever. It’s a reminder that this show all started with some stupid college kids who got in way over their heads.

The subsequent plots that involve two failed attempts to get one over on Cipher reveal a lot more about the mysterious dean and deliver some serious tension.

You have to admire Linklater’s performance which makes Cipher’s control seem effortless. He’s playing 10 steps ahead without ever showing his hand until he’s already made a fool of them.

Marie wants to learn about Project Odessa? Oh yes, he already knows. Cate is trying to film him on camera admitting he’s human? He knows (and he’s not).

He’s able to control Jordan during a pivotal moment, and it’s no wonder he thinks of all creatures as just blood bags. He’s the puppet master and we’ve only just begun to see his show.

These huge revelations leave you dumbfounded not just by their enormity but by the nonchalant way they’re delivered. It’s still not clear what the extent of Cipher’s powers are beyond mind control or why he doesn’t have Compound V in his system, but it is very clear he’s very dangerous.

The old-timey music played in the locked room and the earlier season flashbacks to Thomas Godolkin give me a very strong suspicion that his “father” he keeps in a hyperbaric chamber is none other than Godolkin himself. Is Cipher the original Project Odessa baby?

That leads to more questions. Where has Cipher been all this time, and why only reveal himself to Marie now?

The complementary plot about Marie and Jordan having to fight for the top spot as a PR response to Jordan’s comments work both at a character level and a social commentary. The quickness with which Vought uses Jordan’s gender identity to villainize and discredit them is chilling.

In a climate where free speech is suppressed and twisted, it’s very eerie to see it play out on the show. The cameo from Firecracker is a glimpse into how Vought is controlling the country’s narrative outside of the Gen V storyline.

London Thor and Derek Luh do incredible work bringing the character’s vulnerability to the forefront and remind us that even on this silly superhero show their representation says something.

The fact Marie almost kills Jordan with her new control over her powers leaves you on edge and realizing how much danger they’re all in.

Additional Thoughts:

• Okay, naming the cage match “No Safe Spaces” is actually kind of funny.
• I did NOT need to see Bush Master in action or see Cipher almost crap on Emma. Blood I can handle, all that not so much.
• RIP Elon Musk. No, not that one.
• They completely sidelined Sam on this episode which is weird. But yay, new love interest for Emma.

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Gen V streams Wednesdays on Prime Video.

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