Television 

Five Thoughts on Outcast‘s “The One I’d Be Waiting For”

By | August 13th, 2018
Posted in Television | % Comments

Welcome aboard to the world of the supernatural, Southern fried style – – it’s Robert Kirkman’s Outcast, the Cinemax adaptation of his 2014 -2018 Image Comics series. Set in Rome, West Virginia, Outcast is the story of Kyle Barnes, a man haunted in many ways by demonic possession throughout his life, and his return to his hometown of Rome to solve these mysteries after separating from his wife and daughter after his wife’s own demonic possession was misinterpreted as a domestic violence situation. In Season 2, the mysteries of Rome deepen for Kyle, and he’s thrust into the dual roles of demon hunter and caretaker for his young daughter Amber and traumatized sister Megan.

An old foe comes back to taunt Reverend Anderson, Kyle accepts his family history but not his family’s mistakes, and Megan turns to an unlikely source for help. Let’s dive into “The One I’d Be Waiting For” – – and as always, spoilers within.

1. Troubled Soul

Oh look, Aaron’s back! He’s home, he’s alive, he’s burnt, and he’s angry. His time with Sidney has led to some revelations, and a voluntary decision to live in the dark instead of the light. No amount of bologna sandwiches, Tylenol, and mother’s love is due to save him, a lesson Patricia sadly learns with her life. This is no possession in his soul – – this is pure evil. He maims his mother and leaves her barely alive just to torture the Reverend (the one he blames for his injuries). Aaron’s not done yet, torching Anderson’s home, leaving taunting voicemails, and pointing a gun at the Reverend.

Demons are nothing for Reverend Anderson, but matching wits with premeditated murder? That’s another story. As Kyle warns him, “Don’t be a martyr.”

2. Juxtaposition

I’ve praised the cinematographers of this show before for their interesting work at turning everyday objects into the sinister, and this episode is no exception. In one scene, we find Patricia dead from multiple stab wounds, blood everywhere. The camera immediately flashes to a close up of ketchup squeezed out of packets (by Holly). If you ever wanted to break a habit of putting too much ketchup on things, well, here’s Exhibit A.

3. Family History

We don’t get much more from Junkyard Bob on Kyle’s father’s involvement with the demons of Rome, save for two things: 1. He abandoned his wife and son out of concern for their safety, and 2. Junkyard Bob held on to the elder Mr. Barnes’s house just in case Kyle ever wanted to see it. The home is a treasure trove of reference on What Not To Do During Demonic Possession(TM), rife with a torture chamber. Whatever the elder Mr. Barnes and Junkyard Bob did, it didn’t do much of anything, seeing as there’s still demons hanging around Rome like bad houseguests. It further Kyle’s resolve from earlier in the episode: “No matter what this fight looks like in the end, I won‘t let my family hate me for it.”

We also meet Megan’s mother Jeanne as she takes Holly to her house, a decision that was a last resort. Mother and daughter are strained at best – – Megan feels her mom put her “Christian duty” (adopting foster children, Kyle included) over love and concern for her family. And yet, she upholds that Christian duty by taking her estranged daughter and granddaughter she’s hardly met in for a night.

Assuming this show gets a third season, these are some family histories I would love to explore more.

4. Giles
Officer Byron Giles was one of the late Reg E. Cathey’s final roles, and it’s bittersweet to watch him lay it into Reverend Anderson and know this is one of the final times we will see his talent on screen, moving from gratitude to rage to humor in one short scene.

5. Forgiveness

This episode ends with two different aspects of forgiveness.  The obvious one is Megan and Holly’s conversation at Jeanne’s house, as daughter forgives mother for the situation they’re in, recognizing that it was “the monster” that possessed Megan. While Megan doesn’t seem too keen on her daughter’s newfound interest in prayer, there’s peace between the two for now. Least she’s not telling strangers at hotel vending machine’s her mama’s a murderer.

The second aspect of forgiveness is towards oneself. It’s no secret the Reverend’s in a crisis of faith, finding it harder and harder to lean on Scripture for answers. It’s something Aaron taunts him with during their final confrontation. Here is a man who has lost everything that has been dear to him in Rome, so no one would be surprised if he decided to pack it in and head elsewhere. Instead, he returns to Patricia’s house, finds some Formula 409, and gets to cleaning up that blood pentagram on the living room wall. He may have nothing, but he has the promise of faith, a light in this darkness that will carry him through to the final battle.

What did you think? Sound off on your own thoughts in the comments (but be mindful of spoilers)!


//TAGS | Outcast

Kate Kosturski

Kate Kosturski is your Multiversity social media manager, a librarian by day and a comics geek...well, by day too (and by night). Kate's writing has also been featured at PanelxPanel, Women Write About Comics, and Geeks OUT. She spends her free time spending too much money on Funko POP figures and LEGO, playing with yarn, and rooting for the hapless New York Mets. Follow her on Twitter at @librarian_kate.

EMAIL | ARTICLES


  • Television
    FiveSix thoughts on Outcast‘s “To The Sea”

    By | Oct 1, 2018 | Television

    Welcome aboard to the world of the supernatural, Southern fried style. It’s Robert Kirkman’s Outcast, the Cinemax adaptation of his 2014-2018 Image Comics series. Set in Rome, West Virginia, Outcast is the story of Kyle Barnes, a man haunted in many ways by demonic possession throughout his life, and his return to his hometown of Rome to solve […]

    MORE »

    -->