Rubicon (TV Series) Wayward Sons (2010) User Reviews

A Rip-Roaring Penultimate Episode

[Better_TV · 8/10 · 27 April 2018]

The season's two big plot threads come together in one thrilling hour of television: the API must work with the FBI to track down Kateb, who is now in America and getting ready to strike an unknown landmark; and Will and Katherine's lives are under threat after the failed assassination attempt made against Will's life in the previous ep.

Seriously Emmy-worthy stuff here from actor Arliss Howard, who continues to wow as the shrewd, mysterious, Kale Ingram. His position has never been more precarious as he balances his loyalty to API director Truxton Spanger (an equally fantastic Michael Cristofer) with his loyalty to Will Travers (James Badge Dale). He and the former share a particularly tense scene here, one charged with smoldering emotions and subtle power moves. It's great stuff.

Fantastic writing sees Will stressfully yet capably bounce between stopping Kateb's attack (with added frustrations courtesy of an uncooperative and obstinate FBI) and protecting his own well being from shadowy assailants.

We also get a few scenes with Kateb himself, which I found to have a whiff of Islamophobia about them - unfortunately I fear viewers will (or did) come away from this episode with a nasty impression of the faith. But ultimately the API is helping the NSA, CIA and similar agencies within the NatSec apparatus, so fundamentalist terrorists are going to be within their purview. And, as always with this show, it seems that events as they relate to Kateb might not be as they appear.

This episode has a downer of an ending on both the terrorist and conspiracy fronts. Can't wait to watch the final episode.

The Beginning of the End

[Red_Identity · 10 October 2010]

The penultimate episode of Rubicon's first season is fast-paced and intriguing from start to finish. The episode shows glimpses of Kateb, or rather who he really is, and it never gives him any dialogue, which adds to the character's mystery. Along with that, there is some pretty brilliant cinematography in his scenes.

Since we have already found out the overall reasons behind Spangler's doing, we know that this episode is the key to figuring out the actual event that will take place. Since we know it is going to happen pretty soon, the episode is built around an atmosphere of dread and suspense. We are scared for every character's actions, every step they take, because we fear for them. This is especially true for Katherine Wheeler, who it seems that her days are ticking away. She is scared for her life, but she will not allow herself to be locked away.

There is a scene in the episode where Spangler gets a photo of Ingram and Maggie moving Katherine to safety, which then Ingram is sent to his office. This scene is among the best I have seen so far of the entire show, because it represents what these characters fear and stand for. One is not sure of what is actually being discussed, and one even gets the impression that Ingram is secretly working for him (he actually might be after all). However, both Arliss Howard and Michael Cristofer have given such, rich, meaningful performances that it is enough to congratulate them once and for all in this episode.

Ultimately, this is an episode that will surprise people who said it was always slow-paced, but that is the beauty of it. The show knows when to be slow-paced and when to leave things just as riveting and nail-biting as in this episode. When the reveal finally happens of what the secret plan is, it will give many goosebumps, and we know this is only the beginning of the end.