Welcome back to another episode of Altered Carbon. Hopefully, you’re settled into your current sleeve because it is going to a fun ride. At the end of the last episode, Kovacs decided to take the case of who killed Bancroft. This episode is the beginning of the investigation, so buckle up as we see what is to come. Spoilers ahead
1. Kovacs the Detective
In this episode, the audience gets to see Kovacs in detective mode. Yes, there are a couple of fight scenes, but the bread and butter of this sci-fi detective show are him going around trying to solve the case. We get to see the different methods that Kovacs will go through to get from Point A to Point B, too. His normal disposition gives the impression that he would go for a more physical approach to intimidate people. This episode gets to display Kovacs intellect, in that he waits for people to make the first move before deciding how to move forward.
He has to push back against Bancroft for trying to play the “I pay your salary” card when he gets some questions he doesn’t like. Kovacs knows he must use a more forceful tone to get Bancroft’s respect, but also some real answers instead of half-responses. Later on, when he is trying to get information from a stripper he goes for a softer approach by pretending to be a mother in a detective sleeve. It’s important to realize that he does not do this maliciously, but he will do what he must to get the information he needs.
2. Poe’s Poker Game
Poe doesn’t get that much room to shine in this episode, but he does get one scene that gives the audience insight into his mind. He takes a visit into this room with a group of AIs playing poker and give him crap since it seems they have not seen him in a while. Initially, it seems like a perfect time to see him let his hair down and see his personality outside of the hotel. Instead, Poe shares his anthropological thoughts of serving humans that make the audience kind of stroke their chin like, “Oh that is…interesting?”
Apparently, Poe has this inherent want to serve, not simply because it is in his programming but because he likes to study humans. You can’t help but get a small shiver down your spine with his quick and excited delivery of the line. This idea begins to draw a clearer picture of the “stalker” mentioned in the first episode about AI hotels. Kovacs may be a guest in Poe’s hotel, but it seems as though he may also be a glimpse of the outside world that Poe wants to be a part of.
3. Religious Coding
Detective Kristin Ortega gets some well-needed screen time to find some details that can be relatable for the audience because, thus far, it was just that she had a serious stalker vibe for Kovacs. She has the classic detective trope of a messy apartment and a relationship with her phone’s version of “Siri.” Aside from a family meal between the two of them, there is a reveal of religious beliefs in this day and age of re-sleeving.
The conversation involves the idea that the body that you now inhabit is not the same one that God gave you, and thus you may not be allowed into the next spiritual plane. The title of the episode, “Fallen Angel,” feels more on the nose with this brief discussion of religion and how it stands in this time of defying death. The audience is presented with a question: is living longer worth the price of your eternal soul?
Religious themes in science fiction are a good point of conflict, as usually one tries to disapprove the other. Ortega is the perfect vessel as she straddles between seeing the uses of re-sleeving and understanding the religious belief of people against them.
4. Museum Visit
Kovacs does make one personal trip during his investigation, as he travels into a different part of town he stumbles upon flyers with a picture of Quiellcrist Falconer, the woman from his past that seems to be his mentor and perhaps love interest. The address on the flyer leads him to a museum that has an exhibit on Envoys and the extermination of his people. Kovacs knew it would be a distorted view of history by the “conquerors,” AKA the meths, but knowing he would see her face again he was hoping it would ease his guilt.
Continued belowAlthough Kovacs is still stoic while staring at the stacks from his brothers and sisters there is a pain that Joel Kinnaman conveys in his expressions. It’s an important scene because it shows the survivor’s guilt that Kovacs has for not being a part of that battle. This detour in the middle of his case also shows the audience the power that his past has on him to find the truth for his people.
5. Kovacs Made a Friend!
Following his first lead in the case, Kovacs stumbles upon an ex-marine looking for revenge against Bancroft. Kovacs quickly rules him out, realizing that though this man is out for blood he wouldn’t pull the trigger. The man, Vernon Elliot, follows him in pursuit of a common truth they are both searching for.
Nothing brings people like both trying to kick the same guys ass. Kovacs, just jumped by another suped up Russian-looking dude, and Elliot is there to help out. These two are now probably going to work together and, with Kovacs having been on ice for a couple centuries, it would be nice to have a man who knows the city. This addition to the show might add some humor with the new “buddy cop” trope, as neither one really trusts one another but they are willing to work together. The truth of the matter is that they seem to need each other if they are going to get any closer to solving the mystery of Altered Carbon.
