Wynonna Earp – On the Road Again Review

A few housekeeping notes before I start this review:

1. This review presupposes that you have watched the episode and it will discuss anything and everything that happens in it. Turn back now if you don’t want to be spoiled.
2. I may speculate on what I think might happen (or what I would hope to see) in future episodes. I write all reviews in a vacuum – I don’t watch previews, I don’t watch commercials, and I only watch/write about a single episode at a time. Sometimes I guess right, sometimes I’m way off in my speculation. But that’s all it is – speculation.

So, we’re back in Purgatory after a long two years away. And what a return it was – frenetically paced and covering more ground than I expected for a season premiere. I would have been wholly content for an episode of just Wynonna and Nedley trying to figure out a way into the Garden, but instead the narrative pushed through that portion of the story (which also meant the unfortunate sidelining of both Mercedes and Nedley) and thrust us into a dual buddy-dramedy with the unlikely pairings of Wynonna and Nicole and Doc and Waverly.

I found the Wynonna/Nicole side of the episode to be more fulfilling than the pretty confusing Doc/Waverly portion, both in terms of the writing and the performances. Sure, I suspect we were only provided with a taste of the weird that is yet to come in the Garden of Eden (and what an odd looking interpretation of the Garden of Eden, but props to the show for taking what it was given in Calgary and not simply building a lush set on a sound stage somewhere), but I was a bit disappointed that neither Doc nor Waverly were given all that much to actually do. And I’m thoroughly confused as to what exactly is happening in the “lab,” what needs all that blood, and why Waverly’s angel blood made things start to grow again (ok, not super confused on that one assuming the answer is a simple “angel/human blood is better than plain human blood”). Also, how has Doc managed to control his blood lust so much better than he was at the end of season three, or are we just supposed to assume that he’s doing a lot better by the season three finale and stop asking questions? And is Black Badge back in the story in a meaningful way, or is this just a bridge until we meet the real season bad guy? (Because Black Badge is fine, but evil government organizations never turn out to be nearly as interesting as they seem on paper – see the previous appearances of Black Badge, season four of Buffy, etc.)

I was a bit surprised to see how involved in the story Black Badge seems to be – from having not-so-secret bases that they almost destroyed to kidnapping several key characters and putting them on a electrified train to a mysterious destination (at least I’m assuming Jeremy and Robin are on the same train that Nicole and Kate were one – we don’t have official confirmation on that, but it would make sense if the series wants to keep Kate* in the fold to have her eventually team up with Jeremy and Robin to escape Black Badge), but here’s hoping they are merely a minor blip on the screen this season and the show can get into more complex and interesting villain(s) as it progresses.

*I really hope Kate continues to be a part of the show moving forward, as she’s an interesting character with a hell of a special skill. My one major criticism of Wynonna Earp (and one I’ve heard from several other folks when I’ve talked with them about the series) is its penchant for creating love triangles for the sake of creating them and then more or less tossing the expendable character away. Rosita was an interesting character, but she’s been AWOL for a season now. Shae existed solely to throw a wrench into the Waverly-Nicole relationship and was hardly a complete character. Kate would present a different dynamic for the team – a quasi-ally who can be a huge help in planning for battle – and keeping the character around would give Chantel Riley a chance to really show us what she’s got. When Riley was given a chance to play something other than the manipulative ex she was great. I’d love to see more of who Kate is and what she can do.

The highlight of the episode was the interplay between Nicole and Wynonna, a duo that rarely gets to spend this much extended time together. Sure, they have a common interest in protecting Waverly, but it was nice to see them admit that their bond goes beyond just that. After four years working closely together, they have, in fact, formed a genuine friendship. I mean, neither one really has any actual friends outside of their small group . . . but still, it’s great to see these two put aside their (faux) posturing and admit that they are best friends. And Nicole sacrificing herself to save Wynonna? Truly beautiful to see. The work of Melanie Scrofano and Katherine Barrell in that scene was stunning. It’s not easy to go from comedy to deep emotionally resonate drama in a moment, but both actresses owned that moment and made it resonate. I certainly hope we get to spend more time with this particular pairing as the season progresses.

So, the stage is set. Wynonna is relatively safe and has been tasked with getting to Eden to save a group that now apparently includes a naked Nicole. Nedley is hopefully off getting medical attention (although I’m wary of Mercedes’ ability to navigate to a respectable hospital). And Jeremy, Robin, and Kate are on a Black Badge train headed for a mysterious black site. Quite an auspicious start to season four. I’m intrigued to see where things go from here.