As the episode begins, Mustafa Mond (Nina Sosanya) and the director (Ed Stoppard) go back and watch the death of the Jack who jumped to his death. They notice CJack60 (Joseph Morgan) touching the man and experiencing something profound. The director tells Mond that he has never seen it done before and he wants to know what it is like to commune with Indra. She doesn’t answer and requests to speak with the Epsilon before the director agrees to make that happen. Next, Lenina (Jessica Brown Findlay) speaks with Frannie (Kylie Bunbury) about the children nearby. They say the children will never know violence or prejudice. Lenina hears her name being called over the loud speaker. They chat about Lenina going to the Savage Lands with Bernard Max (Harry Lloyd).

Frannie says everyone says Bernard’s embryo was mishandled and that he shouldn’t be an Alpha Plus. Lenina leaves her friend while Bernard looks over the edge. Lenina meets up with him seconds later as they prepare to leave and head to the Savage Lands. They run into a young Alpha who looks down at Lenina because she is a beta. They don’t let that bother them. When they sit down, Bernard says all of the Alpha go to the Savage Lands at that age so they can see what is at stake. We jump over to the Savage Lands and see a commercial for the Thanks Buddy gadget which helps savages keep up with people who owe them money. Linda (Demi Moore) turns off the television that John (Alden Ehrenreich) was watching. Linda says something about going somewhere and John offers to take her away from there.

He warns his mother that they’re going to die there but she doesn’t want to leave. She tries to grab a drink but John stops her and reminds her that his father is not coming back and doesn’t exist. Then, Bernard and Lenina arrive at the Excelsion. They’re given pins before being told that the conjugal pool is already full of people. They receive guidebooks and learn that there are two tours each day. The four houses include the House of Want, House of Futility, House of Consequence, and House of Monogamy. The receptionist recommends visiting the Want and Consequence Houses but not the others because they’re not great for more sensitive guests. Lenina begins reading the guidebook and she tells Bernard about the practice of saving oneself for marriage.

They have a little trouble with the door but eventually enter their room. Bernard looks outside and sees the conjugal pool. He tells Lenina that he wanted a room on the other side. He tells her about his previous trip there and that he was different and they were different. He says they were kind. Lenina seems fascinated by the idea of not having sex before marriage. They begin kissing and nearly have sex before agreeing to save themselves for their wedding night. Next, Mond and the director try to track down the Jack. She wonders if their Epsilon changed and is no longer an Epsilon. Then, she spots one of the men she believes is the one they’re looking for. She approaches C Jack 60 and dismisses the others. He admits he knew the worker and that something changed.

Jack 60 says he felt him. He says it was his friend. He also confirms that the soma man touched him too. Bernard and Lenina board the bus and begin the Savage Land tours. John gets a visit from Madysun (Lara Peake) who wants help putting on her pregnancy suit. When she leaves, Kvyle (Joe Anderson) enters and apologizes for being mean the following day. He says he is an artist and wants everything to go well. Lenina and Bernard see a complete unit or family. The infant is stuck inside the woman’s belly and it’ll have to fight its way out. The young Alpha boy tries to force Lenina to move so he can sit there but Bernard doesn’t let that happen. Then, they arrive at the House of Want so they can enjoy the day of black. It looks like black Friday. Then, they arrive at the House of Monogamy.

A man notices Bernard and speaks with him. He seems to remember Bernard but Bernard doesn’t recall him. The man calls himself Cortez (Mark Umbers). During this time, Lenina spots a dead bird nearby. John watches as she picks it up and holds it in her hand. Before too long, the show begins. Soon, they find out that the guns aren’t filled with blanks. Kvle and the others begin shooting at Bernard and Lenina. Once they realize what is going on, Lenina and Bernard make a run for it. Bernard is hit so Lenina has to drag him to safety. Meanwhile, John looks at the aftermath of everything that happened. Sheila (Kate Fleetwood) approaches him and tells him that he doesn’t wash cars anymore. Sheila says they didn’t kill these people because they were never alive.

Madysun arrives and tells Sheila that two people are missing. So, they arrange for people to track them down immediately. Lenina and Bernard make it to a building that looks like a motel. Lenina hides but someone arrives and tries to get inside. John enters, grabs Lenina, and tells her to be quiet before the episode ends.

 

Brave New World

I figured things would have to pick up at some point. After all, we couldn’t tour the Savage Lands for 5 more episodes. I didn’t expect the action to get started this quickly though but I’ll take it. Brave New World is one of the best shows I have watched in recent weeks. I am glad that I have access to the whole season so I can watch something halfway decent from here on out. I am not sure how closely the show has followed the book but I am sure it has been modernized.

You have to expect that. I am eager to watch the rest of the season. I’d give this episode a 7.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of Brave New World can be found on Reel Mockery.