TV Review: ‘Revival’ Solves Em’s Murder In Season Finale
by Mal White
Over the course of forty-seven issues, comic book writer Tim Seeley told a complex and engaging story surrounding Martha Cypress, whose murder led to the revival of the dead. The Revival comic series ran from July 2012 to February 2017, during which time Em’s murderer wasn’t revealed until right before the series ends with issue #42. Revival television series creators Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce said, “Nah, we’re doing it in season one.”
In keeping with their consistently tight storytelling, Koontz and Boyce leave no loose ends in Revival’s season finale. The episode picks up exactly where Episode 9 left off: with Em (Romy Weltman) chained to a sideways cross while Blaine Abel (Steven Ogg) proselytizes to his listeners about cleansing the world of Reviver evil, beginning with the Mother of Babylon herself. Abel’s church looks more militant than Christian. Gasoline cans, buckets of wooden stakes, and dream catchers line the space. Chains around the fallen cross bind a weakened Em to it in an unironic crucifixion.
Abel’s unflinching, and self-serving, commitment to proving himself a savior is challenged by fellow captive Dr. Ibrahim Ramin (Andy McQueen), who engages Abel in a debate over his angel’s nature. In Islam, Ramin notes, they believe the soul is separated from the body in death. He explains that the Passengers, those glowing alien creatures born from Moore Creek, are the Reviver’s souls. The Passenger used to slay Reviver Wanda Peterson (Marcia Bennett) wasn’t her soul.
Just as Abel realizes his angel may not be returning to him, Dana (Melanie Scrofano), Wayne (David James Elliot), and Lester Majack (Peter Millard) are hauled into the Abel family church. When Dana attempts to prove that Em isn’t Satan incarnate, Abel shoots Wayne so Em can prove her ability to heal. The miraculous moment is interrupted by General Cale’s (Konima Parkinson-Jones) soldiers, who’ve tracked Abel’s transmission to the church. Our gang escapes in the shootout, with Em going to Moore Creek while Dana retrieves son Cooper (Hudson Wurster).
With a convenient sex tape recorded over Aaron Weimer’s (Gianpaolo Venuta) lecture on healing water, Dana identifies Em’s killer. Meanwhile, Em is treated to a Bad Guy Monologue that, like most Bad Guy Monologues, doesn’t matter. It comes as no surprise who killed Rose and Em, or why. We already know that men are women’s biggest ops, often for no reason other than ego and entitlement. What does matter: Em finally finds forgiveness from her mother Patty’s (Laura Jean Chorostecki) apparition, and again, saves Dana’s life in the coolest way possible.
Winter ends in Wausau, which begins to heal from the tyrannical reign of General Cale. We’re promised Reviver rights by Mayor Ken Dillisch (Conrad Coates) with the support of the governor. Dana remains a deputy in town. Wayne gives up his badge. Dr. Ramin becomes a local professor. It seems everyone has closure around Em’s death … or at least a sense of peace.
Boyce and Koontz are so good at hitting us right in the feels. Season One wraps on an emotional note. We learn that Em’s signature skull hoodie, the symbol of her badass turn, was Dana’s old hoodie. Amid the death, action, and horror, Revival’s central story isn’t Em’s murder at all. At its heart, it’s a story of two very cool sisters.
That’s it, right? Not by a long shot.
The show creators tease tidbits for a (hopefully) upcoming Season 2. It comes as no surprise that Em is alive, but she’s very far from home and very much not alone. General Cale isn’t done yet either. She’s discovered Wanda Peterson’s Passenger, so Wausau wasn’t a total loss. And one wonders just what Governor June Harris (Shauna MacDonald) is up to.
Scrofano, much like Dana, is the rock that holds the show together. McQueen and Weltman deliver great performances, while a cast of memorable town characters keeps the levity. The show successfully engages philosophy, theology, and ethics with timely criticisms of current events without being preachy. Blaine does enough of that.
Hardcore comics fans might balk at deviations from the original series, but the show delivers on every promise made from the first to the last episode. With a healthy dose of action, mystery, and some really damn cool sequences. I’m looking forward to what new mysteries Season 2 holds.
