TV Review: Hell’s Gates Are Open in ‘Revival’ Episode 2

Things have gotten stranger in Wasau, Wisconsin.

Episode Two of SyFy Channel’s hit show, Revival, continues to draw out the mystery of Em Cypress’ (Romy Weltman) potential murder. We’re treated to Em’s backstory, some very (mis)leading clues, and Em’s idea of stress management. All while Sheriff Wayne Cypress (David James Elliott) is up to his neck in Reviver shenanigans, and Officer Dana Cypress (Melanie Scrofano) does her damnedest to keep it together while everyone around her, understandably, freaks the hell out.

The show, which adapts Tim Seely and Mike Norton’s comic book of the same name, follows sisters Dana and Martha “Em” Cypress as they work to solve the mystery of Em’s murder and the mysterious “Revival Day,” in which the dead were all returned to life.

If you’re expecting brain-eating zombies, you won’t find them here. The dead of Revival want to go back to normal. Or, in the case of one super strong grandma, wreak havoc and kidnap babies. The problem is, the threshold for normal has shifted a lil’ bit.

If you haven’t already read our Episode 1 review, follow the link to catch up. Beware. Spoilers ahead.

Episode 2, “Keeping Up Appearances,” drops us right back into the sprawling mystery with clues on Em’s potential murder. After waking up at the local waterfall, Em coughs up the wedding ring she holds in Episode One. She emerges on a bridge, where she finds her missing shoe and coat on the bridge railing.

We later learn that on Revival Night, Em was on that bridge for their mother’s birthday, who died tragically in a car accident while Em was driving. It led to a very hard physical recovery for Em, especially with her Type 1 Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Grief, guilt, and a lifetime of pain coalesce with drug use. We’re led to believe Em might have accidentally died or potentially committed suicide. At least, Professor Weimer seems to think so when Em confronts him again.

Meanwhile, a reeling Dana is caught between trying to help her sister and doing her job while the town, and Wayne, handle the latest Reviver emergency. When she finally gets a moment, she finds her sister’s very large stash of oxy and an avoidant Em doing her best to keep Dana out of it.

That’s not to mention the strange sounds in the woods. Cooper (Hudson Wurster) gets lost following the disembodied howling, only to encounter a mysterious new character. Wayne, on the other hand, finally has his proof that Revivers are potentially dangerous when Meemaw Arlene (Nicky Guadagni) goes “don’t dead open inside” in the hospital. Arlene escapes, but Wayne finds the mysterious man in the woods, Blaine Abel (Steven Ogg), in her place with serious backwoods preacher energy.

Once again, writers and show creators Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce give us a sprawling mystery, horror, and believable tension between sisters Em and Dana. The subject matter this episode discusses serious issues in line with the darker elements of the show. Scorfano’s Dana brings amazing levity with genuinely funny lines, such as when she calls Em’s dorm room her “den of doom” with a “mental health crisis” vibe.

Director Amanda Row treats us to some very cool effects and believably insane family dynamics. The hospital sequence tracks the tumultuous father/eldest daughter dynamic while also revealing them to be not so different. As usual, Row shows off her horror skills, building great tension during Meemaw Arlene’s escape.

New characters are introduced and old characters get to shine, but the real excitement is in the addition of Ogg as Blaine Abel. The Better Call Saul actor promises to bring his special blend of wild to a fun character fans of the comic might recognize. His introductory line in the hospital parking lot truly hits the nail on the head.

Revival continues to deliver on its promises of horror, mystery, and humor. Hell’s gates are open. I’m excited to see what else comes out.