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Badass… Review: The Tomorrow People – “Kill or Be Killed”

Season 1, Episode 4

Air Date: Thursday, October 30, 2013, 9/8c on The CW.

RATING: 

“It’s the law of nature; kill or be killed.” – Jedikiah Price

“Kill or Be Killed” doesn’t waste time jumping into the tough stuff. The Tomorrow People takes an in depth look at yet another familiar face, showcasing what is on the line—what the Tomorrow People (TP) are fighting for and who they are fighting against. The answer just might shock you.

Observations and thoughts:

“I don’t work for Ultra anymore.” This week we learn about John (Luke Mitchell) and his past with the eeevil Jedikiah (Mark Pellegrino). (Pellegrino does bad like no one else. I’m loving him in this role!) Flashbacks to John’s time as a youth making good use of his powers, clue us in to why he’s so closed off, and why he hates Jedikiah as much as he does. The two are both complex men. I sometimes believe Jedikiah wants to help the kids he goes after, and then he does something to prove me wrong. You know, like wanting to kill any TP he comes across. I know he cares about Stephen (Robbie Amell) and I think he once cared about John too. “He’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father.” John’s words reveal their relationship once went both ways. You can’t tell me there aren’t deep rooted emotions there. The saying goes “It’s a thin line between love and hate.” You can’t do one without the other.

“But know this, Jed; I’m watching you.” I still adore Marlo (Sarah Clarke) as the kickass matriarch of two teen boys. Moms don’t always question what their kids are doing when they’re up to being … well, teenagers. But I think she may have accidentally slipped up with Uncle Jed in the room. Telling him about Stephen’s bruises could have clued Jedikiah in to what Stephen’s doing outside of his work at Ultra. I can’t say Stephen has many opportunities to end up bruised. Hopefully, Marlo’s concern doesn’t come back to bite Stephen in the ass.

Have you noticed Jedikiah keeps his voice to a low tone, rarely rising above conversational? It’s placating yet condescending at the same time. He uses Jedi mind tricks to make people trust him. “I hate you for what you made me.” John doesn’t mince words with Jedikiah because he knows what he’s capable of. But you have to wonder what Jedikiah made John into. The juxtaposition of the TP leader from his youth to now is jarring. He goes from a young kid who wants to kill but can’t, to an adult with no desire to kill although he can.

Russell (Aaron Yoo) cracks me up. “Seriously, how did I become the voice of reason around here?” The guy has a point; he’s usually the loose cannon, wanting to “no finger discount” as much crap as he can, or running headfirst into danger. So why does he tell John not to trust Ultra? Why isn’t he anxious to join in the fight? Simple. Ultra is scary. They aren’t to be trusted. And that’s where Russell comes in. Not only as the voice of reason when all the sane people go nuts, but adding in a dose of fun when things get too serious. It makes me wonder what might be lurking in his past that causes him turn to humor when tensions are high.

The bad guy of the hour is Killian McCrane (Jason Dohring) and he’s an off the wall TP. So he’s top priority for Ultra except they can’t take him down without help. Here’s where we learn just what John can do. With training, John has become pretty badass (I hope you watched to know what I’m talking about). Had Ultra not made John what he is today, Killian would still be Ultra’s major pain in the ass. I enjoyed the scenes with Killian and John going head to head. The fight sequences are pretty intense. Kudos to the writers for providing the TP and Ultra with a formidable foe. Now, your work is cut out for you, writers. Gotta go big or go home.

Memorable and funny lines:

Jedikiah: “I know you’re not trying to upset me Stephen, but you are.”

**

Stephen: “I’m supposed to let him die? Killing’s not in my DNA, John.”

John: “It’s in Jedikiah’s. Flip the roles, he’d have let you burn.”

**

Jedikiah to John about using Ultra’s resources: “You and your band of sewer rats running point? Not gonna happen, John.”

**

John to Killian: “The reason I left Ultra, is because they turned me into you.”

**

“He’s a leader, Cara.” I certainly have to agree with Stephen’s sentiments. John isn’t like the other TP and I wonder when they’ll figure that out. While Stephen may not be developing a “man crush,” he’s gaining an idol; someone to look up to. His aspirations may reach an all time high now that he knows he can be great. Stephen is a rarity. With his gifts and John’s guidance, I think he could take Ultra down. Jedikiah talks to Stephen about family and how things are supposed to work. He’s such a master manipulator. I worry about Stephen getting sucked into something he doesn’t really understand. Stephen will have to be at the top of his game to even come close to being the man the TP need him to be.

Tune in to The Tomorrow People Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.  For more on the show, visit the official site.

LIKE The Tomorrow People on Facebook.

Follow The Tomorrow People on Twitter and chat with the cast: (Stephen) @RobbieAmell, (John) @LukeMitchell, (Jedikiah) @MarkRPellegrino, (Astrid) @madelinemgm.

Photo Credit: Cate Cameron/The CW ©2013 The CW Network. All Rights Reserved.

 

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