The Merry Wives Of Prince Hal.
I thought I'd try something different here and speak to some of the salient points of the Falling Skies season finale, Brazil, instead of trying to cover the entire episode all at once. This wasn't exactly a Hal-centric episode but it did deal with all the woman in his life and they in turn were central to the plot of the episode.
Let's start with the character of Maggie who is the current paramour of Hal. I thought she was oddly written in this episode especially considering her closeness to Hal in the last episode when they were trapped beneath the rubble together. She seemed skittish and paranoid. It's as if the writers wanted to characterize her as Pope saw her when he predicted she would come crawling back to him some day.
Hal sensed there was some thing wrong with Maggie as the two marched towards Boston. Victory was in the air and Hal mused over what life would be like once things got back to normal. Maggie instantly challenged him that he wasn't a split level house type of guy and that he would be, essentially, too restless for that type of life.
I thought this rather strange since the "Xibalba" episode characterized her as someone willing to die in his arms with her last breath of air. She's often stated she'd rather go out fighting but if that was going to be the way the went out, then there was no one she'd rather be with.
Her discomfort with the "suburban" life was painfully obvious as she marched with Hal. But instead of confronting the problems as her own she projected them on to Hal. As if on cue, Pope caught up with them and validated her misgivings over a peaceful future.
I don't blame Hal for being confused. It wasn't long ago they were going to hang in with each other through thick and thin. Doesn't Maggie realize that rebuilding in a shattered world can be just as daunting as fighting the war day after day?
It's as if the writers insist on seeing Maggie through Pope's eyes now. It's almost like they want Pope to be right about something to validate the constant barrage of cynicism and negativity and therefore legitimize his role on the show. You should be able to guess by now that I have no patience for Pope on Falling Skies. He is a constant irritant with no redeeming value. Do we really have to see Maggie become so difficult in order to justify his presence?
Hal didn't exactly have a romantic relationship with Lourdes but it was pretty clear she had a crush on him. Hal was aware of this also. As season one progressed Lourdes was constantly trying to do things to impress Hal and this theme continued into season two. Hal tolerated Lourdes' advances and was often teased by Karen or Maggie about it.
That is why Hal had a soft spot for Lourdes as she lay chained and caged in the thrall of the Espheni "insects". Lourdes managed to utter a few things to Hal in her more lucid and less tortured moments that spoke of their past "relationship". This touched Hal as he was well aware of her feelings for him. This proves that that an insect "infected" person can still draw on their past personality and not be totally "gone".
Seventy five per cent gone but not completely.
You probably noticed, as I did, that Maggie was quite impatient with these proceedings even though she waited outside the tent. She seemed jealous and possessive over Hal despite the fact that her "competition" was locked in a cage and half crazed with her torment.
Hal was again positioned as a touch stone for a female character. I'm not convinced Hal has a real purpose on Falling Skies. I suspect he is being maneuvered as a "romantic lead" in order to develop the more interesting female characters around him. Something that was hinted at in the "Strange Brew" episode. Hal was busy chasing skirts as Ben became the confidant to Tom. (His brother, Ben, is quickly surpassing Hal as a far more compelling character)
Anyway, speaking of the "competition".
Karen at last appears on the screen, the final piece of the triumvirate romantically connected with Hal. I really enjoyed Karen's snake like charm. When she met small band of 2nd Mass survivors led by Tom she instantly went to work on Hal. "Good to see you Hal, I've missed you." she taunted. I have no doubt this is true if only partially. They once were lovers and then she became infected by the Espheni harness, then they were lovers again! Karen could play both sides of the coin as the "before and after" girlfriend which I'm sure was intended to infuriate Hal. It certainly had an effect on Tom.
Tom, his trap played to exquisite perfection, puts a bullet into Karen as an act of cold revenge. Here Karen has a moment of lucidity. I totally bought into her sincerity as she confessed her feelings towards Hal as he knelt over her. Maybe undergoing extreme physical duress has a way of bringing out the former humanity of those infected with Espheni technology. She certainly sounded like the old Karen to me just as Lourdes did when she spoke to Hal.
In that moment of brief humanity Maggie loses hers and puts an end to Karen. So now Maggie is a stone cold killer? Did you see the shocked look on Hal's face? Maybe he'd be better off putting some space between him and Maggie. And if I were the newly renewed Lourdes, I would be watching my back. Maggie seems a bit unhinged.
As I stated at the start of this essay, Hal wasn't exactly the central player of this little drama but everything had a way of revolving around him. At least through some twisted romantic lens. I'm sorry to see Karen go, she was deliciously evil. I guess that will be Maggies role now. Okay, maybe not evil but way too close to the Pope side of the equation for my liking. It'll be good to have Lourdes back again. Her character has matured and Seychelle was able to expand upon her acting spectrum with some really juicy evil stuff.
Does this mean Hal is down to two girls now? Should Ben be more protective of Denny? (That is one relationship that is far more interesting). Maybe the writers will have Hal torn between the Angel that is Lourdes on one shoulder and the Devil that is Maggie on the other.
Next up, the Volm dilemma.
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