TV Review: Incinerator Man Revealed In ‘Revival’ Episode 7
by Mal White
Oh, look. It’s the consequences of our actions. Revival wastes no time dolling them out. Especially for Sheriff Wayne Cypress (David James Elliot), who reaps what he sowed when martial law is declared in Wausau. A punch to the face is the least of his worries. A wounded Em (Romy Weltman) is on the run with Dr. Ramin (Andy McQueen), and a healed Dana (Melanie Scrofano) is one step closer to solving Em’s murder.
Things for everyone go from “really bad” to “so much worse” in Episode 7, “Too Many Secrets.” When warehouse security footage reveals Em as a Reviver, Wayne is forced to confront the actions that led to this point. Thanks to Wayne, General Louise Cale (Konima Parkinson-Jones) can now round up Revivers en masse, regardless of their guilt. Mayor Ken Dillisch (Conrad Coates) identifies Em as a final middle finger to Wayne, who showed no leniency for his wife.
We see more of Wayne’s Reviver camp, Riverside, which looks like the infamous island prison, Alcatraz. We already know Governor June Harris (Shauna MacDonald) has a particular interest in conducting experiments on Revivers. It looks like Dr. Carla Morel’s (Paige Evans) promotion as the CDC’s lead scientist means she’ll be Riverside’s Dr. Moreau.
Former “Stigmata Boy,” Blaine Abel (Steven Ogg), reveals a touch more of his intentions this episode. New Recruit/Audience Stand-In Tyler (Luca Villacis) is ready for ascension in Abel’s cult, which includes kidnapping Revivers and sending them back to “hell.” As a bonus: Abel believes this will clear his name, just not his daddy issues. What’s more interesting is the light ghost being “for” Revivers, which was hinted at by Jordan (Flora McInroy) in the last episode.
“Incinerator Man” returns this episode. He reveals a connection to journalist May Tao (Katherine King So), Dana’s Blackdeer case, and Em’s current murder investigation. Thanks to Dr. Ibrahim Ramin’s Moore Creek discovery, Em’s Reviver baptism reveals the site has more to it than healing. These revelations and discoveries may have greater connections, but with Em on the run, finding answers is that much harder.
The episode acts as connective tissue between the show’s critical plot points and the upcoming season finale in Episode 10. That’s not a bad thing. Revival delivers on its promises and handles plot threads deftly. I was hoping Wayne’s reckoning had a bit more bite, especially considering he’s the reason for a lot of it. Instead, we’re being ushered past his complicity. I hope we’re setting up for something or someone far, far worse.