Dominion – “Godspeed” Retrospective. Vega Today, Vega Tomorrow, Vega Forever.

Season 1, Episode 2

Airdate: Thursday, June 26, 2014, 10/9c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

Alex remains uncertain that he’s the Chosen One

Right about now, Sgt. Alex Lannon (Christopher Egan) is probably wishing he could go back to being simply another soldier for Vega, formerly known as Las Vegas. In the aftermath of Dominion’s season premiere last week, where humanity struggles to hold on amidst a war with God’s not so benign angels and archangels, the prophecy of “the Chosen One” and the consequences of discovering Alex as the true savior remains the center focus throughout “Godspeed.”

The World We Live In

This week, Dominion delves more into the history and current dilemmas facing the people of Vega, as well as the political power players. Ruled by a form of social strata, the V-System organizes citizens into different groups, and depending upon one’s group, preferential treatment is given. For example, the lowest order is a V1, a place reserved for those who are unskilled or orphaned. These people are pretty much at the bottom of the barrel and the poorest of the poor. Within Vega, everyone has a place and a part to play; the so-called ‘American dream’ no longer exists. I get the impression that more often than not, a citizen of Vega lives and dies within their class.

On the opposite side of the spectrum are those ranked V6, the highest and most elite group of citizens. Also known as the “ruling class,” several of these people are members of the government. The most noteworthy V6 members include the House of Riesen, whose patriarch, General Edward Riesen (Alan Dale), is a celebrated military leader and the founder of Vega. His family is reputable and his daughter, Claire Riesen (Roxanne McKee), a model citizen, performs charitable work assisting orphans. She is also the romantic interest for Alex.

As we learn more about the cultural landscape in “Godspeed,” it becomes a vital point to understanding why Alex feels so conflicted about his calling in spite of having the markings of the Chosen One on his body. When a person is raised to believe they are undeserving of anything good, like three square meals a day, because of being an orphan, it’s hard to blame Alex for his resentment toward his father Jeep (Langley Kirkwood), who abandoned him.

Claire and Alex share an intimate moment

Adding fuel to the fire is Alex’s forbidden romance with Claire, which, quite frankly, is completely boring. It’s not a reflection on the actors, but on the heavy-handed way their storyline jumps right into their relationship without much explanation. It’s only the second episode of the series and already, they’re ready to run away together. When Alex tells Claire, “If anything happened to you, I couldn’t live with myself,” it doesn’t ring true . How long have they known each other? Alex’s words would have been more meaningful had I understood what makes their love so special.

Sometimes, it’s better to watch two people fall in love than just being told who loves whom. An exception to this would be if they grew up together; at least then we’d know there’s a history. But, we’ve been given very little insight into these characters other than their raging hormones and flowery declarations of love to justify something substantial between Alex and Claire. It’s there that I find myself wanting to fast forward through their scenes.

Sgt. Noma Walker (Kim Engelbrecht) is the other person involved in Alex and Claire’s storyline. She is a solider just like Alex, and while her sexual preference is not clear, I get the impression she has feelings for him by her slightly eager reaction to him entering the room and the way her expression falters when she sees him with Claire. There’s even a scene where a drunken Alex tells Noma he thinks she’s “jealous” of his relationship with Claire. Even though Alex is acting out of pain from losing his father, the friendship he shares with Noma feels like it has more substance to generate a romance because it’s not being spoon fed to viewers.

Archangel Gabriel knows how to celebrate his fallen brethren

Bottom Line

Consul David Whele (Anthony Stewart Head): “What I do know, better than anyone in this city, is the psychology of faith. I have seen firsthand what true believers are capable of…they’ll open up their wallets and bow at your feet. They’ll tear each other apart just to touch you or they’ll nail you to the cross but either way, you could bring ruin to our society.”

What’s nice in “Godspeed” is the heavier focus on the corruption among humans, apart from the clear and present danger the angels bring to this post-apocalyptic world. That said, I love the concept that even among the angels, there is discord. Archangel Gabriel (Carl Beukes) fights against humans with his rowdy crew of lower level angels who possess humans because they have no physical form, while Archangel Michael rebels against his brethren to protect humanity. It’s one of the unique aspects of the show that makes it stand out.

There is a very distinct, ironic, order of things in Vega amid the chaos. Despite the constant threat of attack from Gabriel, his army, and the possessed humans known as “8 balls,” humanity has found a way to forge a system of government. The entire city is surreal and at moments, reminds me of The Capital in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games with the brilliant beams of light outlining the borders of the city, and the blood red tapestries that bear the city’s emblem draped along all the towers like beacons in the night.

Dominion is still finding its footing as a television series despite its origins in the film Legion. Even though there is plenty of action, sex, and suspense, there isn’t much consistency. Many of the core relationships have a history that is merely implied but not fully explained, which makes it harder to connect to the characters. I do enjoy how the mythological lore is opening up, starting from Gabriel dosing his fellow fallen angels with what looks like honey, to the way Alex’s tattoos shift to reveal an omen. The latter part of “Godspeed” succeeds in creating an impressive atmosphere, beginning with Alex venturing outside of Vega, to the nefarious Consul Whele finally meeting his match with the charismatic, foreign emissary, Arika (Shivani Ghai). The human relationships display plenty of melodrama, even though a few of them are horribly forced to the point of being too cliché. What “Godspeed” lacks in developing the romantic storylines, it makes up for with a surprise ending. Hopefully, as Dominion progresses, more attention will be paid to creating a strong foundation with characters development rather than eye-candy action sequences.

What did you think of the “Godspeed?” Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @conallen.

Tune in to Dominion on Thursdays at 9/8c, only on SyFy.

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