Tyrant – “Enter the Fates” Review. Life or Death.

Season 2, Episode 2

Airdate: Tuesday, June 23, 2015, 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“People hate you. They don’t even know you and they hate you. Why? Because you are my son; because you have been given everything they’ve been denied. They think you are a fat lazy slob. Why would you work so hard to prove them right? If you don’t want the job, just tell me. Either job—Minister of Energy Development or my son.” – Jamal Al-Fayeed

TYRANT -- "Enter The Fates" -- Episode 202 (Airs Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Adam Rayner as Barry. CR: Adrienn Szabo’/FX

Will Barry survive? Photo credit: Adrienn Szabo’/FX

In last week’s season premiere, Jamal (Ashraf Barhom) carried out his brother Barry’s (Adam Rayner) death sentence, or so it seemed. As the audience knows, however, Jamal fooled everyone by dumping Barry’s limp body in the desert. In this week’s episode, “Enter the Fates,” Barry does his best to survive despite the obstacles in his way. At the royal palace, Jamal grieves the death of his brother with his wife Leila (Moran Atias), assuming there is no way Barry could have survived. Does Barry beat the odds, or do the cruel fates of an arid, vast desert win out?

Rayner has little to do in “Enter the Fates,” yet his performance is quite convincing. You can’t help empathizing with Barry as he endures the brutal ravages of the desert. And there are plenty. Seeing Barry finally break down, praying to “Allah” is heartbreaking. Director Gwyneth Horder-Payton does an excellent job with “Enter the Fates,” especially the desert scenes. Her use of lighting and various camera angles make the audience fear for Barry even more.

Watching Ahmed (Cameron Gharaee) trying to live up to the title of “Minister of Energy Development” when he couldn’t care less about the position borders on pitiful. In a very passionate, heartfelt scene involving Ahmed and his father, Jamal discusses his son’s behavior on the oil field with the Chinese Ambassador’s (guest star Orion Lee) assistant Chao Quan (Kevin Shen). Both Gharaee and Barhom give terrific performances in this scene, particularly Gharaee. He does a wonderful job expressing Ahmed’s emotions, even allowing a tear to roll quietly down his face as Ahmed tries to convince his father he is worthy. Too bad Ahmed’s heart just isn’t into it, but with his wife Nusrat (Sibylla Deen) calling the shots, he doesn’t have much of a choice. I guess even in certain Middle Eastern countries, the old expression, ‘Happy wife, happy life,’ holds true.

TYRANT -- "Enter The Fates" -- Episode 202 (Airs Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Alexander Karim as Ihab. CR: Kata Vermes/FX

Ihab listens intently to Malik’s promise. Photo credit: Kata Vermes/FX

“Enter the Fates” provides a frightening look inside the mind of a terrorist. Even though I understand Malik’s (guest star Ben Tavassoli) words, I don’t accept his ideology. Kudos to writer Glenn Gordon Caron for writing such realistic dialogue. Tavassoli scares me with his portrayal of Malik; he speaks quietly yet authoritatively, providing no doubt Malik will do everything in his power to carry out the mission Ihab (Alexander Karim) his planned for the day of the groundbreaking ceremony that sets Jamal’s deal with the Chinese in motion.

Stateside, with Barry’s (supposed) death behind her, Molly tries to settle into life as she once knew it. Even though she does her best to comfort her daughter Emma (Anne Winters) and son Sammy (Noah Silver), something about them doesn’t ring true. Where is the emotion these kids should be expressing after learning their father is dead? Am I wrong to think Emma and Sammy should be bawling their eyes out? At least Emma should because she was closer with her father. I understand Sammy is angry but that’s no reason for him to act like a jerk. Molly, on the other hand, is another story. It is impossible not to feel heartbroken for her during the very powerful emotional scenes Gordon Caron writes for her. Finnigan shines with her portrayal of Molly as she grieves, especially in the confessional scene.

“Enter the Fates” introduces the audience to a new character, attorney James “Jimmy” Timmons (guest star Jake Weber), who, along with his daughter Leslie (guest star Rozina Herendi), presents himself as a possible new friend for Molly, and lawyer, should she need one. I hope Tyrant doesn’t fall down the rabbit hole of giving Molly a new romantic interest so soon after the ‘death’ of her husband. While Jimmy seems like a person who genuinely wants to help Molly, I can’t help thinking he has some ulterior motive. Time will tell, I suppose.

It’s the day of the groundbreaking ceremony; everyone is there on the barren oil field, including the Chinese Ambassador and his wife (Tina Chiang). After Malik makes his way onto the grounds, I sat on the edge of my seat in suspense, waiting for him to carry out Ihab’s plan. Bedlam ensues as shots ring out, and what happens puts the agreement with the Chinese in jeopardy. From the preview of next week’s episode, “Faith,” it looks like Jamal carries through with the warning he gives the Ambassador in “Enter the Fates.” I hope he doesn’t because only a monster would do something like that. I guess a leopard really can’t change his spots.

Overall

I definitely enjoyed “Enter the Fates.” It contains a good deal of intrigue and suspense, and furthers the various story lines with excellent dialogue and direction. I can’t wait to find out what the people who discover Barry in the desert are going to do. I’m also wondering what’s going to happen between Ahmed and his father, and Jamal and the Chinese Ambassador. When will Jamal realize an effective leader can’t bend people to his will, especially his only son?

What do you think of “Enter the Fates?” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @SeasideTV. Do you agree with my assessment of the episode? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Tune in to all-new episodes of Tyrant Tuesdays at 10:00 pm ET/PT, only on FX.

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Follow Tyrant on Twitter, using hashtag #TyrantFX. You can also follow Jennifer Finnigan (Molly) @jennigan, Moran Atias (Leila) @MoranAtias, Cameron Gharaee (Ahmed) @camerongharaee, Alexander Karim (Ihab) @AlexanderKarim, Leslie Hope (Lea Exley) @lesliehope, Noah Silver (Sammy) @noah_silver, and Anne Winters (Emma) @AnneWinters_.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!