Belly Of The Beast – The episode opens with Kristi (Chloe Can Landschoot) confirming Fatima’s (Pegah Ghafoori) pregnancy suspicions. After inquiring about Ellis Steven’s (Corteon Moore) knowledge of the pregnancy, she assures her it will be all right. Kenny Liu (Rickey He) alerts them of the approaching sunrise. Fatima flees before Kristi can probe her further. Boyd Stevens (Harold Parrineau), Kenny, and Mari (Kaelen Ohm) are in awe of the lifeless Smiley Face Creature (Jamie McGuire). As everyone gathers around, Kristi explains the importance of the creature’s death. Fatima asks what should be done with the creature’s body. Kenny suggests incinerating it while Kristi and Boyd chime in with their ideas. He warns them of the dangers of opening up the creature. Mari leaves in search of a sheet while Kristi finds branches for a makeshift stretcher.
An injured Ellis reluctantly heeds his father’s suggestion to return to the Colony House. Fatima tells Kristi that she is leaving with Ellis. Boyd confronts Elgin (Nathan D Simmon) about his mental state. As they move the creature indoors, Kenny continues to issue warnings.
Colony House – Donna (Elizabeth Saunders) and a dejected Dale (Cliff Saunders) chit-chat before the topic gets more serious. He agrees with Ellis about there not being enough food to feed the newcomers. She warns against lobbying others to make difficult decisions. Locking the door, she hands the key to an armed guard and orders no one in or out. Bakta (Angela Moore) demands to know how Donna plans to deal with Dale. Donna assures her that she knows the facts when Matthias (Matthias Fenez) alerts her of a returning Ellis and Fatima. She gives Bakta a bit of reassurance before leaving to make sure Ellis is comfortable.
Liu Residence – Tian Chen Lie (Elizabeth Moy) and Tabitha Matthews (Catalina Sandino Moreno) are forced to deal with persistent Ethan Matthews (Simon Webster). He immediately changes the topic to Victor (Scott McCord). Jim Matthews (Eion Bailey) says it isn’t a good idea for him to visit Victor when Julie Matthews (Hannah Cheramy) offers to take him. Jim tells them that they are to go nowhere near the Colony House. Tabitha suggests they go see Victor. Out of earshot, Jim stresses the importance of them maintaining a united front. She asks if his plan is to lock them in the basement before reminding him of how he took Ethan to see Sara Myers (Avery Konrad). She warns their refusal could lead to them sneaking out of the house. He admits to not wanting his 9-year-old around an emotionally stunted freak. She says he saved her and Julie’s lives.
Tabitha and Jim discuss his conspiracy theory. She joins Julie and Ethan inside for breakfast. While composing himself, he encounters a flying UAV and a brimming Randall (AJ Simmons) standing on the roof of the Grand Rapids Runner with a controller.
Town Hospital – Boyd, Kristi, Kenny, and Mari prepare to open the Smiley Face Creature. Kristi suggests a saw will be needed to cut through the sternum. Boyd asks Kenny if Tian may have something they can use for the procedure. Kenny points out the stark reality they are facing. As they discuss the parasite, Mari goes to the next room to vomit. Kristi informs them that Mari is going through withdrawal. When Boyd offers to help, she sends him to retrieve a saw and gloves. Kenny volunteers for the task.
Grand Rapids Runner Bus – Randall quickly apologizes to Jim for the “flyby.” Jim readily compliments his flying skills. Randall claims to have received the expensive drone as a gift from his nephew. Jim thanks him for stepping in to help when their home collapsed. Randall blames him and Tabitha for the two people who died during the collapse. Jim asks if it makes him feel good to throw it in his face. Randall tells him to screw off before acknowledging his due diligence. Jim asks what is the drone’s capacity before asking if he can walk with him. Randall compares his behavior to a “pedophile” trying to lure an unsuspecting kid into the park. Jim suggests the drone might help them get home.
Colony House – Victor is back to measuring the tree line when Ethan approaches. Ethan asks about the measurements. Victor asks what he is doing there before trying to get rid of him. Realizing Ethan is hurt, he claims to only be protecting him. Ethan asks what is the point of being friends if they can’t act like friends. As he walks away, Victor brings up the nearly dried-out marker. He eventually says he can help collect the measurements.
Town Hospital – Kristi gives Mari a blanket and glass of water before heading back to the Smiley Face Creature. Boyd is wrapping his lacerated hand when she offers to help. They briefly discuss Mari’s addiction. They both admit to being concerned about what they are about to do to the Smiley Face Creature.
Town Bar – Jade (David Alpay) is working when Tabitha knocks on the door. After assuring there is no need to knock, he boasts about his transforming the town’s swill. She asks why he wasn’t surprised to see them in the woods a few days ago. He admits to liking her better when she isn’t yelling at him. She pleads with him to be serious. He claims Jim found him in a similar state. Despite his reluctance to tell Jim, he explains his experience with the Civil War soldier (Dylan Bailey). He agrees to tell her more if she will provide some assistance.
In The Woods – Jim and Randall are at the RV crash site. Inching along on the main road, Randall seems completely baffled that no one wants to do anything about the voice Jim heard on the radio. It becomes obvious that he knows about Jim’s conspiracy theory concept when he questions how people will act when they are put in their situations. Jim points out that secret experiments have been declassified. He wonders about the classified experiments. Picking up a small umbrella-like item, Randall explains his plan to update the drone so it can transport over treetops. Jim promises to take care of the radio but Randall has doubts. Randall tells him that his theory is starting to make sense but he forgot one thing before explaining further.
Colony House – Julie says goodbye to Fatima and Ellis and Fatima when Donna brings them a tray of food. Ellis reminds her of the food storage. She assures him that it is just temporary before apologizing for not being present when Dale broke down. He says she had no idea it was going to happen. Julie speaks to Elgin before leaving to pick up Ethan.
Town Hospital – Kenny, Boyd, and Kristi are gathered around the creature in the cellar. Making an incision in the chest triggers a nerve reaction. Kenny reinforces his earlier concerns about operating on a creature they know nothing about before leaving. She goes after him, leaving Boyd alone with the creature. Kenny voices his concern about the parasite. She stresses the importance of keeping everything discreet. Whatever Boyd infected it with is like poison. If they can extract it and reuse it, they could have something to fight back with. He warns it is extremely dangerous. She admits to needing him there with her. He professes his love for her before claiming to be happy about her and Mari’s reunion.
Mari goes to the operation room to find the creature gone. Frantic, she searches for Kristi when encountering Boyd. He asks how she is feeling. She informs him of the missing creature that is standing at the end of the corridor. He orders her to run but she freezes. He fires several shots into the creature. She is intrigued by the music box. As it leaps at her, she is drawn from her sweaty, gasping nightmare.
Colony Home Greenhouse – Fatima and Donna discuss the failing plants. She admits to being pregnant. Stunned, Donna embraces her. Fatima says Ellis doesn’t know yet. Donna asks if he is the father. Fatima assures her that he is before claiming to have been told she would never get pregnant. She voices concerns about the town mocking her like the creatures. Laughing, Donna reminds her of all the negative things the place has given them. She says the town also gave her Ellis and a baby.
Town Bar – Putting the finishing touches on his new distilling project, Jade gives Tabitha a quick rundown of his recent hallucinations. He shows her the photo of young Victor (Eli Arsenault). She asks if his visions always show something different. He says except for the insignia. She tells him that her visions never change, they are always ghostly kids. She questions if the town is punishing her for what happened to Thomas. He assures her that it isn’t. As she prepares to leave, she asks if the insignia in the journal is what he has been talking out. He says yes. She claims to have seen the same symbol on the tunnel walls.
Colony House – Victor and Ethan collect measurements. He points out the changing leaves. Ethan says it happens annually. Victor says it is the first for the town which could be a sign of something more sinister.
Town Hospital – With Boyd’s help, Kristi is removing the creature’s sternum when Kenny returns. Removing the sternum, they are shocked to see the creature doesn’t have any blood and shriveled organs. Disappointed they don’t have a “killing cure,” Kristi explores the creature’s inside when the gallbladder is lacerated. A neon yellowish-orange liquid seeps out. Boyd tells Kenny to get a vial and dropper so he can collect the fluid.
Outside The Diner – Elgin tells Julie about Boyd killing the Smiley Face Creature. She asks why he isn’t happy. He admits to being disturbed by a dream that made him feel like there is something he is forgetting. She tells him that a bath always helps her relieve because it makes her feel like she is standing by an ocean.
Colony Home – Fatima is joining a recuperating Ellis who is having a hard time relaxing. Reminding her that he is going to be just fine, he inquires if she is going to be okay. Confirming that she will, she announces that she has something she needs to tell him.
Town Hospital – Kenny joins Boyd in the reception area. Boyd removes the vial filled with bile from his picket. Kenny asks if the bile will actually kill the creatures. Boyd says he only needs to ask to get his badge back. Kenny says they’ll talk later. Kristi tells Mari about their findings.
Colony House – Taking Julie’s advice, Elgin sinks into a relaxing bath. A music box begins to play before an old lady pushes his head into the water. Elgin gasping and fighting for life.
FROM Season 2 Episode 7 Review
Despite the excitement from the previous episode, “Belly of the Beast” was better. Unlike “Pas de Deux” which could be a bit confusing at times, “Belly of the Beast” is more specific and detailed. For that, I would have to rate it a high 5.5 to 6 out of 10.
What I enjoy most about this series is the new shocking revelations which is difficult to come these days. The dissection of the creature, the drone, and Fatima’s claims of being told she couldn’t get pregnant are just a few examples. That said, the show isn’t flawless. The Jade and Tabitha’s hallucinations are important while Elgin and Julie’s adds nothing to the story. Of course, one could say the same about Kristi and Mari’s relationship and Fatima and Ellis’ relationships
Last, but not least, it was refreshing to see the show expose Mari’s drug addiction.
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