Flash Forward: Black Swan

by Jenn Kim

“Maybe it’s not as sexy as dead poultry in Africa, but you gotta admit, the timing’s a little hinky here, Mark.”

I actually laughed out loud when I heard John Cho deliver that line with utter and total seriousness. Because come on, what’s IS as sexy as dead poultry in Africa?

Misplaced humor aside, “Black Swan” was a pretty decent episode. FlashForward is developing relationships and tensions all over the place, and I’ve always been a fan of angst (just ask my ex-boyfriends; HEY-O!). In “Black Swan,” the angst lies strongly amongst those who don’t want to believe in the truth of the flashies, which results in even MORE angst as they clash with those who do. Thursday’s episode concentrated on two different couples who exemplified the tension between the different ideologies, and how it affects their professional and personal relationships in the process.

1) Demetri and Mark. Demetri is, understandably, losing his sh*t regarding his future murder. Desperate to chase after any lead, he interrogates Hot Blond Terrorist Lady, gets a bit rough (by very strangely placing his hands on her head), and demands that she tell him what she knows regarding the flashies. HBTL is savvy and cool, cryptically telling Demetri that he should check out Customer Choice Restaurant Group before it’s “too late.” Demetri gets the go-ahead from Agent Wedeck, and he and Mark venture off to Indio, CA to follow up on HBTL’s tip.

Meanwhile, Mark is resentful that he and Demetri are wasting time investigating the terrorist case (they could be checking out dead poultry in Africa, for goodness sakes!). Tensions build between the two as Demetri belittles Mark’s flashie and “dreams,” and Mark calls Demetri out for bringing his “personal crap” to work. It’s clear Demetri’s starting to unravel, and when the HBTL’s tip turns out to be nothing more than the Most Ridiculous Pot Dealer in the History of Pot Dealers, he kicks MRPDHPD in the chest and punches Mark in the face. I don’t think we’re supposed to feel Demetri was justified to do either, but I kind of cheered when he did both.

2) Olivia and Bryce. I actually really like Olivia and Bryce’s relationship and dynamic. Their underlying tension is believable to me, personally and professionally. It’s understandable why Bryce would hold so much faith in the flashies; after all, Bryce’s flash forward not only literally saved his life, but gave him purpose and something to live for. Meanwhile, Olivia’s so terrified of her flashie that she makes herself believe that the flash forwards are not inevitable truths. Olivia and Bryce’s personal feelings result in professional debate, and their argument over whether a patient’s flashie should be used for diagnosis is a genuinely interesting and compelling one. The surgery scene was pretty damn dramatic, and I thought the acting and writing was spot-on.

*Side note. Kudos to Sonya Walger for making Olivia the most real and believable character of the show. I find her determination to avoid British Guy and his son pretty laudable, even though, you know, she’s probably violating the Hippocratic Oath in the process. British Guy is becoming more and more charming, and the chemistry between the two actors is very convincing (unlike with Mr. Fiennes). I’m not usually one to root for adultery, but in this case, I’m kind of hoping it wins.

Some More Flashie Thoughts:

• “Now I’m sure that a free trip to Hawaii won’t make up for the fact that…I’m not Korean.” Ahh haha. Oh Gabriellge Union. It’s funny because it’s true. Sigh.

• “Honey, your associates died on the day of the blackout. They were super dead.”

• If everyone and their mom knows that Demetri didn’t have a flashie, why in the world would he think it’s OK not to tell his fiancé?

• Who’s Bryce’s Mystery Lady? Hope it’s another awesome Asian-American casting opportunity.

• So that priest Nicole was talking to about her deep, theological issues regarding the flash forwards is kind of the worst priest ever. Seriously.

• So British Guy, aka Lloyd Simcoe, and Dominic Monaghan caused the worldwide disaster of the flash forwards?? I figured Simcoe would be involved somehow, but what an AWESOME way to introduce Dominic Monaghan to the cast.

• Speaking of Dominic Monaghan, I think he’s kind of hot. Is that weird? Or do I find British accents just that attractive?

About Jenn Kim: When she’s not attempting to fangirl in an organized fashion, Jenn enjoys stalking celebrities and getting over her totally rational fear of zombies. She also idolizes Joss Whedon, and is crossing her fingers that Nathan Fillion and NPH will accept her friend requests.

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