The Strain: For Services Rendered
August 25, 2014 11:19 AM - Season 1, Episode 7 - Subscribe
Abe, Eph and Nora attempt to fight back against the vampire plague, and we learn more about Abe's past. There are a number of surprises along the way.
Wow, this gets better every episode. You just have to go with the flow.
posted by Pendragon at 1:30 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Pendragon at 1:30 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Wait a sec. Maybe I haven't been watching closely enough - were we at all aware of these undead vampire killers previously? Who are those guys?
posted by triggerfinger at 1:36 PM on August 25, 2014
posted by triggerfinger at 1:36 PM on August 25, 2014
We were not aware of them at all and so we have no idea who they are.
But they sound like religious fanatics who see themselves as corrupted by vampire blood and work to prevent the spread of said corruption. Which could very neatly explain why vampires haven't been able to spread.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:02 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
But they sound like religious fanatics who see themselves as corrupted by vampire blood and work to prevent the spread of said corruption. Which could very neatly explain why vampires haven't been able to spread.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:02 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
It was also interesting to have Abe say that destroying the Master destroys all the children, while Eff noted that makes no biological sense and therefore can't happen. Supposedly. Something is brewing there.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:18 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:18 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
I see we're continuing with the "everyone is bad at their jobs" motif, with the taxi driver who won't drive away even in the face of slimy zompire tongues, the prison guard whose attitude to getting an obviously bad-off prisoner medical care is "meh, whenever", and every single cop in earshot who didn't immediately come running when someone fired a gun in a New York City train station. Special bonus points off for the nanny/housekeeper, who immediately wiped out any goodwill I had for her a couple of weeks ago by not only taking the kids back to that house, but then after Mompire showed up, running the entire group not out of the house but into a dead-end room with glass walls.
Pluses this week, though: That scene in the camp between Eichorst and Setrakian was actually pretty compelling and tense. The vampire hunters at the end were impressively creepy. In fact, can we just ditch Eph and the rest and follow those guys around for a while?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:46 PM on August 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
Pluses this week, though: That scene in the camp between Eichorst and Setrakian was actually pretty compelling and tense. The vampire hunters at the end were impressively creepy. In fact, can we just ditch Eph and the rest and follow those guys around for a while?
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 2:46 PM on August 25, 2014 [5 favorites]
I see we're continuing with the "everyone is bad at their jobs" motif, with the taxi driver who won't drive away even in the face of slimy compare tongues...
Eh, having a gun makes people feel superior, so I can see someone pulling one out in such a situation.
Otherwise, people do all sorts of dumb thinks in everyday life and work, so it's not a big stretch to see them doing similar or worse at the beginning of a vampire apocalypse.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:35 PM on August 25, 2014
Eh, having a gun makes people feel superior, so I can see someone pulling one out in such a situation.
Otherwise, people do all sorts of dumb thinks in everyday life and work, so it's not a big stretch to see them doing similar or worse at the beginning of a vampire apocalypse.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:35 PM on August 25, 2014
Fuck! Ok, had to get that out of the way.
Second: The nanny didn't take the kids back. Her daughter did; she went along because her daughter was going to leave with the kids anyway.
I liked the background noise dropping out when Eichorst was threatening Jim. Also nice was seeing people walking around with masks and the background news reports. I'm still not buying that one hacker is able to disrupt citywide phone and internet.
When Eichorist was shooting people to find his carver, what if he'd shot Abe? Really, he needs to be less carefree with the wanton killing.
I don't get Jim's wife. First she was upset because he wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Then when he did, she's upset because she doesn't believe in vampires but Jim's taking a bribe is okay? Sure, don't believe they're vampires but can you at least admit that something's going on?
The level of denial in that city is amazing. It's Sunnydale police levels of deep stupidity.
Now, back to the greatness that was the last five minutes. Not only are they monsters, they're monsters who are willing to do the hard things--killing the infected before they show symptoms. I hope these guys can teach F's Scooby gang something.
posted by Ik ben afgesneden at 5:57 PM on August 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
Second: The nanny didn't take the kids back. Her daughter did; she went along because her daughter was going to leave with the kids anyway.
I liked the background noise dropping out when Eichorst was threatening Jim. Also nice was seeing people walking around with masks and the background news reports. I'm still not buying that one hacker is able to disrupt citywide phone and internet.
When Eichorist was shooting people to find his carver, what if he'd shot Abe? Really, he needs to be less carefree with the wanton killing.
I don't get Jim's wife. First she was upset because he wouldn't tell her what was wrong. Then when he did, she's upset because she doesn't believe in vampires but Jim's taking a bribe is okay? Sure, don't believe they're vampires but can you at least admit that something's going on?
The level of denial in that city is amazing. It's Sunnydale police levels of deep stupidity.
Now, back to the greatness that was the last five minutes. Not only are they monsters, they're monsters who are willing to do the hard things--killing the infected before they show symptoms. I hope these guys can teach F's Scooby gang something.
posted by Ik ben afgesneden at 5:57 PM on August 25, 2014 [3 favorites]
When Eichorist was shooting people to find his carver, what if he'd shot Abe?
In a later conversation, Eichorist mentioned remembering Abe volunteering his carpentry skills when he arrived at the camp.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:36 PM on August 25, 2014
In a later conversation, Eichorist mentioned remembering Abe volunteering his carpentry skills when he arrived at the camp.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:36 PM on August 25, 2014
Eff noted that makes no biological sense and therefore can't happen.
Unlike every other thing that is happening? What the Eff?!
Mompire
Outstanding.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:20 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Unlike every other thing that is happening? What the Eff?!
Mompire
Outstanding.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:20 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]
Best episode.
I think the series stumbled in the beginning by making Eph the protagonist; he's not interesting or even particularly likeable. This one positioned Eichorst vs. Setrakian at the center and was much better for it.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:08 PM on August 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
I think the series stumbled in the beginning by making Eph the protagonist; he's not interesting or even particularly likeable. This one positioned Eichorst vs. Setrakian at the center and was much better for it.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:08 PM on August 26, 2014 [4 favorites]
I cannot see Eph get wormed fast enough; God, he's dull. The rest of the cast are pretty compelling and I was sorry to see Mompire cut out of the picture because she knew how to play a scene. Great acting in this recent episode.
"I could drink you." *chills*
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 5:42 PM on August 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
"I could drink you." *chills*
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 5:42 PM on August 27, 2014 [2 favorites]
"I could drink you." *chills*
Oh, yes!
posted by Room 641-A at 6:18 PM on August 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Oh, yes!
posted by Room 641-A at 6:18 PM on August 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
Alan Sepinwall: FX renews 'The Strain' for season 2. (Warning: one thing that could be considered spoiler-y in the article.)
As usual, the comments there are civil.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:37 PM on August 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
As usual, the comments there are civil.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:37 PM on August 27, 2014 [1 favorite]
I just rewatched this episode and realized I'd fallen asleep during the "manservant" scene and for part of the backstory.
So, for as powerful and high-profile she is, none of Mompire's people or handlers suggested to her that her new, blood-red, vertical, goatpire eyes do not play well on television? I'm obviously willing to suspend belief, but this kind of nonchalance is bugging me. No, Richard didn't "take a bribe." Way to bury the lede, Eff. He fucking let in some Master Zompire creature from a different universe with a long, blood-sucking, zompire tounge-thing and has probably doomed the entire human race. Does it really matter that he put his ethics aside to save his wife's life?
At least her husband (who went to a hotel after returning from a trip?) has a genuine WHAT THE FUCK?? reaction to everything. I almost wish the reveal was slower to the characters. That would make their lack of total panic and hysteria more believable. Sorry, but this is not "weird shit" even for New York City. Substitute the word zompire for fire and I think you get a more realistic version of what would happen. Also, who is the dude with mompire?
Eff, after the chase in the subway: "Shit, he lost us." Is it just me, or is this a weird thing to say? Shouldn't it be, "Shit, we lost him." Thomas is the one who would say he lost them, no?
I liked the sevgi vampire explanation, and the knowledge that Thomas wasn't a full zompire yet when they met. I hope we get see that transformation, and not just exposition. But seriously. Visiting him in jail and calling him by his concentration camp number? That is some fucked up shit right there.
I kept waiting for pointyteeth to start reading "The Princess Bride" to the kids because he sounds just like Peter Falk (RIP). That scene was weirdly normal, but I'm excited about what's going to happen next.
But for all my complaining, the final scene was worth it all. I'm glad I only have to wait two day for the next episode! Oh, and somewhere else someone pointed out the "Previously on The Strain" shout-out to Lost, which is pretty cool.
"I could drink you." *chills*
Just to clarify, you mean in a good way, right? No, I mean a bad way. Yes, definitely a bad way. Not even a tiny bit hot. Nope.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:21 PM on August 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
So, for as powerful and high-profile she is, none of Mompire's people or handlers suggested to her that her new, blood-red, vertical, goatpire eyes do not play well on television? I'm obviously willing to suspend belief, but this kind of nonchalance is bugging me. No, Richard didn't "take a bribe." Way to bury the lede, Eff. He fucking let in some Master Zompire creature from a different universe with a long, blood-sucking, zompire tounge-thing and has probably doomed the entire human race. Does it really matter that he put his ethics aside to save his wife's life?
At least her husband (who went to a hotel after returning from a trip?) has a genuine WHAT THE FUCK?? reaction to everything. I almost wish the reveal was slower to the characters. That would make their lack of total panic and hysteria more believable. Sorry, but this is not "weird shit" even for New York City. Substitute the word zompire for fire and I think you get a more realistic version of what would happen. Also, who is the dude with mompire?
Eff, after the chase in the subway: "Shit, he lost us." Is it just me, or is this a weird thing to say? Shouldn't it be, "Shit, we lost him." Thomas is the one who would say he lost them, no?
I liked the sevgi vampire explanation, and the knowledge that Thomas wasn't a full zompire yet when they met. I hope we get see that transformation, and not just exposition. But seriously. Visiting him in jail and calling him by his concentration camp number? That is some fucked up shit right there.
I kept waiting for pointyteeth to start reading "The Princess Bride" to the kids because he sounds just like Peter Falk (RIP). That scene was weirdly normal, but I'm excited about what's going to happen next.
But for all my complaining, the final scene was worth it all. I'm glad I only have to wait two day for the next episode! Oh, and somewhere else someone pointed out the "Previously on The Strain" shout-out to Lost, which is pretty cool.
"I could drink you." *chills*
Just to clarify, you mean in a good way, right? No, I mean a bad way. Yes, definitely a bad way. Not even a tiny bit hot. Nope.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:21 PM on August 29, 2014 [1 favorite]
Curious as to who Vampire SWAT is, exactly.
Do all vampires that are infected start out as zombies and gradually grow into super vampires (like, say, Eichorst)?
posted by flippant at 6:57 AM on August 31, 2014
Do all vampires that are infected start out as zombies and gradually grow into super vampires (like, say, Eichorst)?
posted by flippant at 6:57 AM on August 31, 2014
Hey everyone. I'm traveling until Wednesday night, so I won't have a chance to make a post for this week's episode. Would somebody mind filling in?
posted by codacorolla at 9:07 AM on September 1, 2014
posted by codacorolla at 9:07 AM on September 1, 2014
Done, just waiting for it to be approved.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:32 AM on September 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:32 AM on September 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Just to clarify, you mean in a good way, right? No, I mean a bad way. Yes, definitely a bad way. Not even a tiny bit hot. Nope.
Yeah I think there's a lot of homoerotic stuff in the vampire genre (I'm stating the obvious here) but I meant, that scared the living sh*t out of me. :D Just to clarify.
But, you know, different takes on scenes is what makes it all the more interesting.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:38 AM on September 12, 2014
Yeah I think there's a lot of homoerotic stuff in the vampire genre (I'm stating the obvious here) but I meant, that scared the living sh*t out of me. :D Just to clarify.
But, you know, different takes on scenes is what makes it all the more interesting.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 10:38 AM on September 12, 2014
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posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:44 PM on August 25, 2014 [1 favorite]