Television 

Five (and a Half) Thoughts on Outcast‘s “This Is How It Starts”

By | September 24th, 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.

We’re one episode away from the second (and possibly the series) finale, and there’s a lot to do in order to get there. Let’s dive into “This Is How It Starts” (an ominous title if there ever was one) — and as always, spoilers within.

1. But It’s The Most Important Meal of the Day

No time for breakfast, we got some bodies to bury. Giles’s delicately crafted frittata and toast is going to have to wait. Rose needs to take care of some dead people in the back of Giles’s truck and over in the warehouse. Hide the bodies and plant some nice mums on top and no one is the wiser.  But she’s in no condition to take care of this mess herself: she’s burning up with something (that’s not good) and is emotionally spent after murdering her friends. Don’t worry, Giles got this. The couple that hides the dead together, stays together.

But I’m real concerned about this fever Rose has. And so is Giles. Is it flu season in Rome or something else?

2. “At Least I Can Die Knowing My Mission Is Complete”

Sidney is not in good shape, but the vigil Kyle and Reverend Anderson are keeping isn’t out of compassion. No need to accelerate the inevitable. Sidney has made peace with his life, knowing he can leave the earthly plane with his work done. Knowing this, he taunts Kyle that the evil is in too deep, and he can’t solve the problem on his own. Remember that there was another Beacon in the town hall – – but who is it? And Sidney sure ain’t telling. (We the audience know it’s Amber but Kyle doesn’t know that yet, or at least he hasn’t figured it out yet.)

3.  Magnetic

I remain impressed with how much Madeleine McGraw can express with so few words, or even the simplest of words. Her explanation of her attraction to her father, her fellow Firefly, with the opposite poles of the magnets Junkyard Bob brought her puts her relationship with her dad into excellent context. It’s love through a shared experience. And it’s chilling how she explains what it was like for her to see her mom possessed – – looking just like the Mommy she loves on the outside but scared of her on the inside.  Neither in Season 1 nor this season have we seen Allison’s actual possession, but we don’t need to, based on the way Amber describes it.

I also labored under the impression that Amber was closer to 9 or 10 years of age, but in fact, she’s around six or seven. Knowing that only amplifies that this is a child wise beyond her years, and Madeleine pulls this off seamlessly, without losing sight that she is still a child. I sense and hope for a long career for this young lady.

4. Rose

Rose is not in good shape – – fits and starts with fevers and body aches. She’s pretty sure it’s possession: she knows Giles called Kyle and she has memories of how her husband’s possession went down. Rose is ready for whatever comes her way, even if Giles isn’t.

And it’s heartbreaking to see her get better only to take her own life with the silk scarves she wanted Giles to use to restrain her when the moment of the demon comes. The guilt of killing her friends, even in self-defense, coupled with this demonic possession scare that turned to be just the flu was just too much for her.

5. A Child Shall Lead Them

Continued below

Blake’s been only back in town for one episode and change, but he’s the source of a very important revelation for Kyle: Amber is a Beacon, perhaps even stronger than her father. The how and why is not important in this moment, though my theory is that it may have to do with her very young age.

What is clear to Kyle in this moment is that his daughter is in very grave danger.

He rushes to the Church of the Beacon to get some answers from Sidney, but the Reverend had his own plans in mind for Sidney first (Preacher’s Got a Gun and knows how to use it) and Sidney barely gets a word out before he dies – – except, “You lose, Kyle.”

There’s no time to mourn Sidney (if one would want to mourn him), because Barnes the Elder is back in town. Was he hiding out with the Wolverines in the forest this entire time? (Bonus points to anyone who can not only name my movie reference, but tell me how said reference connects to this episode.)

5.5. And All The Other Shit That Went Down In This Episode That I Can’t Fit In Anywhere Else But Don’t Want To Leave For the Afterthoughts

Strap in, y’all. Because this is everything else that happened of note that I don’t want to leave for the Afterthoughts section but need to discuss because it’s all connected.

  • Dot the DIY Abortionist is dead, and the Church isn’t happy about that. They put Megan under house arrest while they try to find the killer (Blake) but she manages to escape, with a few parting words to the Reverend about the Church of the Beacon being more foe than friend. Guess I was wrong about them being on the Reverend’s side, at least.
  • Dr. Park’s human form is failing, but he’s still in enough shape to confront Megan about her unborn child and hire Blake as his new aide-de-camp to try to bring Megan to his side. Is the Merge going to happen after all?
  • Anderson returns to his church (after being banished from the Church of the Beacon) to find peace for the night before leaving town, only to find a full congregation asking for his forgiveness for being unbelievers.  He’s home. But can he pick up his former mantle and lead the flock after everything he has seen?
  • Junkyard Bob comes back to the hotel to find Alison and Amber gone.  That’s .  .  . not good.

Afterthoughts:
– C’mon Cinemax. This was a week where we saw Lil Wayne, aka Bat-Peen. Is it too much to ask to see demon ass? What’s with the strategically placed steam?
– Junkyard Bob could have a second job as a mall Santa. A pretty demented mall Santa, but at least he looks the part.
– Having just come off of World Maker Faire in New York this weekend, I couldn’t help but smile at the can of random stuff Junkyard Bob brought Amber. It’s no Arduino for Beginners kit, but it is a lot better than Tinker Toys.

What did you think? Sound off on your own thoughts in the comments (but be mindful of spoilers)! And check back later this week when we have an exclusive interview with Kyle Barnes himself, Patrick Fugit!


//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 »

    -->