Season one is in the can, my friends. All the key players have made their way to the fighting pit. Many will enter, a few will leave. Mostly the good guys. The planet of Arriopa is in shambles following Lazaro’s very public execution of the colony leaders. Who would have guessed, right? Issac and Amae are off rescuing the Queen Mother while Elida practices her kill quips on the poor, terrible soldiers of the Admiralty. By gum, she nails her first one. Good for her.
The episode telegraphs the fact that it is a season-ender. All our favorite characters return. Amae’s brother. That casual-as-hell slaver from episode two, and General Dessai. I don’t remember many of their names because they were so important. Our main story comes to a close, seeing Lazaro defeated, and a new conflict emerges. Again, centered around the do-it-all multitool of gadgets, the Sterzaad. Let’s get into it. Spoilers ahead.
1. A mother saved is a mother earned
Mom is ok, people! Hooray! Xevelyn comes out the other end of this conflict unscathed, relatively speaking. Several touching moments between her and Elida follow. Queen on Queen hugs galore. Queen Mother is a powerful addition tot he crew, incapacitating many guards on her own (lucky she stopped killing in time not to kill in-costume Issac and Amae). We also get some major reveals into Xevelyn’s past. Like the fact that she once spared young Lazaro’s life.
Along with the fact that Xevelyn killed her husband, the King! That lady is no joke. You take such a determined woman an incarcerate her for 20 some odd years and who knows what she would be capable when she gets out.
2. Combat galore
The combat takes a front seat in this episode. Elida throws a beating to quite a bit of raging citizens, soldiers, and eventually, Lazaro. A lot of well-shot scenes, along with some not-so-well-done contrivances. I have a general question about sword combat. Why do people feel it necessary to twirl their swords around their bodies before fighting? I never understood the need. It doesn’t demonstrate their skill with a sword in a fight; it does show how they can avoid stabbing themselves. I do that every time I cut up vegetables. Sure it’s less flashy, but its way safer. Also, in that vein, Lazaro is terrible at using that trident of his. It fires lasers and can stab Elida, and he fails to do both on multiple occasions. It’s obvious he never practiced with it, and thus, he’s dead as shit.
3. Man, that Sterzaad can do anything.
Now the dang thing can transport things anywhere in the universe? It can controls minds, fire laser bolts out of compatible tridents. What can’t that green doodad do? I have seen some pretty dominant McGuffinsin pop culture, before but this one takes the proverbial cake. As far as ancient tech goes, this one gets the crown. Something that insanely powerful cannot exist. No one is smart or good enough to wield it. It’s the Infinity Stones all over again. What can’t they do? Wait a second. Is the Sterzaad just the Mind Stone in disguise? What galaxy is this exactly?
4. Comic book ending Achievement unlocked!
The show went with the comic book ending. I was wondering this entire series if the writers would dispatch Lazaro as they did in the comics, and they went that route. Shot to the head, put the bad guy to bed. He went out groveling like a straight punk, as we figured he would. Thus ends the story of Lazaro. I am glad we got a complete picture of the man before he died at Elida’s feet. Episode nine gave us a greater understanding of the character, his motivations, and a reason for his madness. It also provided a little clarity to the choices he made earlier in the season. All in all, Lazaro was a villain. You wanted to get what was coming to him. And, he did. Achievement unlocked.
5. Who saw that ending coming?
Xevelyn side-eyed and scowled at her daughter’s plans throughout the entire episode. So many overt scenes of her and Volun catching each other’s glances and quietly scheming. All to set up her inevitable, pro-wrestling-style heel turn. Who would have guessed? Having Elida’s mother be the villain for season 2 (I am assuming) is a smart play. She has a strong motivation, shes broken from years of imprisonment, and it’s our hero’s mother. Elida, I am your momma.
The wrap-up
That’s all they wrote for season one of Vagrant Queen. Our heroes traveled on a ten-episode journey of self-discovery, redemption, and forgiveness. Along the way, I disagreed with every moment of said forgiveness presented to me. I believe that was just the cynic in me refusing to believe in the power of friendship overcoming major betrayal.
Elida and Issac came out the other end better friends. Then there is optimistic Amae. That mechanical wizard made the galaxy her own with a smile on her face and naive positivity in her heart. She did it all in the comfort of a full-body jumpsuit. Bless her and the fake R2-D2 she rode in on.
Lazaro rampaged through the season full of hate and scene-chewing smugness. You could put him in the same category as Thanos. Villains who accomplished their goals. At the very least, he executed step one, which not many TV villains could. All in all, season two (should there be one) is on track for an even more personal journey for Elida. How much more personal could you get trying to stop your mom, who inadvertently stole your girlfriend? Is there even precedent for that? I am too tired to look that up. Let’s say no.
