Revolution: Kashmir

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

I don’t often like episodes that bury the lead, but in the case of “Kashmir,” I might forgive them, because it was one hell of a lead!

We had already glimpsed how cunning and downright heartless Rachel could be in the previous episode. Posing as a prisoner so your former colleague will give up the goods is a fairly distasteful tactic. But murder … even I’m not sure I thought Rachel had it in her.

But here’s the thing that I don’t know if Bass fully comprehends – he should be very, very afraid of Mrs. Matheson. It’s obvious now that there isn’t much she won’t do in order to protect her son and herself. While she has made herself invaluable to him by killing the only other person he knows of that can duplicate the pendant technology, Rachel has also made it plain that crossing her can be fatal, and while Bass is well-protected most of the time, he tends to visit with Rachel alone a little too much. I’m thinking he might revisit the idea of spending time with her sans a complement of bodyguards from now on.

This episode also gave us one emotional payoff while cheating us of another. When Charlie is knocked unconscious we finally start to see the depths of Miles’ love for her. It’s apparent now that he isn’t the same cavalier man she begged for help in Chicago. In fact, it’s pretty obvious that both of them have started to rely on one another, which is simultaneously heart-warming and dangerous. Trusting people means they can betray you which means they can distract you which makes you vulnerable. Considering they are poised to walk into the lion’s den in next week’s fall finale, any type of vulnerability is a luxury they do not have.

However, it’s Miles’ and Monroe’s relationship that is still cloaked in mystery. While Nora does admit that their falling out had to do with Miles pulling a gun on his best friend (people can be so touchy), we still don’t know why nor do we know how much Miles is aware of Bass’ plan or his machinations. We know that Miles was there when Rachel surrendered herself, but does he still believe she’s with Monroe? If he does and he doesn’t disclose that information to Charlie, it’s going to completely sabotage the burgeoning familial bond they’ve developed. That information is also another chink in Charlie’s newly minted armor that could distract her enough to get her killed.

I appreciated the moments of hallucinatory chaos, although aside from Miles and Monroe’s interaction, I don’t think the writers paid them off to the fullest. We knew that Charlie would want to stay in the dream where her father was still alive. We knew Aaron’s wife would come back to haunt him. Not sure why Nora has a fear of alligators, but I live in Florida and those suckers can be big, so I’ll give her a pass.

But none of these moments rang as true as they could. I didn’t honestly believe Charlie was going to stay in the fantasy. There wasn’t enough of a reason and I think the writing and the emotion it evoked fell flat. As for Aaron, nine episodes in I’m still struggling to care. Yes, it’s sad that the genius billionaire has no place in this new world order, but it’s been fifteen years. Were it only a few years post-blackout I could probably forgive him his moroseness and ineptitude (I mean, he let the guy get the pendant!). But it’s been too long for a man who was supposedly a genius to still be that useless.

Next week’s fall finale looks as though it will bring some closure to the quest for Danny and place Miles and Monroe in the same room, each with a sword. However, I’m uncertain if we’ll get to see Rachel’s amplifier tech in action or if she will have a reunion with her daughter and brother-in-law. Something tells me that might be a check the writers are waiting to cash for the winter premiere. You gotta love network television.

On a personal note, I hope everyone who celebrates has a terrific Turkey Day! I wish you food comas and pie.

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