This is one of my favorite tales from the show. It's just great it's such a simple premise but it works because of that. In a twisted sense this story is sort of similar to the Greek Myth about a man in Hell condemned for all eternity to roll a rock up to hill.
I really like that they make this sort of a modern day western, from the use of the desert location, to the premise of the man on the lame and the cop on his tale. I really like Kyle Mclaklan's performance as Diggs he is just blackly funny as a sadistic creep you love to dislike. He's got some really funny lines and moments, like how he plays off with that mysterious looming vulture.
The vulture in the story is a creepy presence as it constantly is fascinated with Diggs. Death and doom are kinda the theme in this episode as that vulture is obviously a representation of the constant looming presence of death. And of course the antagonists name Diggs, which of course implants irony.
The suspense is interesting as it's somewhat double layered much like where on one hand you don't want Diggs to get away and you know he's going to get it but you don't know how or when but your glad your not him. And on another hand there is that little part of you that kinda want him to get away because of how close he is to salvation if it wasn't for that one huge problem.
I like the use of atmosphere which really creates an isolating and uncomfortable sense of doom. You literally feel the heat, dirt and even feel the weight of the body Diggs literally has to carry and drag throughout his journey which of course is a metaphor for the weight of his own sins. From what he has to go though you have a feeling in your mind that Diggs won't make it, either the desert will kill him or something else somehow will.
I won't say anything more than that but if you remember the Greek myth and of course the title itself is a big clue, then you know what to expect. As an old saying goes, "Let the punishment fit the crime." Rating: 4 stars
