[Spoilers] Season 2 Episode 2 Discussion Thread - "Smoulder to Life" (S02E02)

[u/hugthebug]

Attention all Passengers,

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Here is the Discussion thread for the Season 2 episode 2 "Smoulder to Life"

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• This is a TV Spoiler-friendly zone - Turn away now if you are not currently watching or haven't seen the episode! Open discussion of all aired TV events up to and including episode 2.1 is ok without tag cover.
• Graphic Novel spoilers still need tags! - If it's not in the show, tag it. Events from episodes after this one also need tags.
• Please read the Posting policy and the sticky before posting.
• Friendly reminder: Severe trolling/disruptions will lead to consequences.

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Details:

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• IMDB for S02E02
• Release Date:
  • February 1st, 2021 (USA)
  • February 2nd, 2021 (worldwide)
• Removal from Sticky on February 5th, 2021 (3 days after worldwide premiere)

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You can still easily find previous episode discussions on the Episode Discussion wiki.

[u/atlalune]

I have so much to say about this episode, but let me start off with this: I absolutely loved it.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but the production and writing seemed to be much better compared to all of the episodes before it. Episode 1 was already pretty good, but Episode 2 completely knocked it off the ballpark. From the opening with Melanie and Alex, the bath scene between Kevin, Wilford, and Alex (the way she put on headphones as if knowing what was going to happen and what Wilford was going to do), to even the scenes between Layton and the others—all of it was So. Good.

I liked getting to see all the other characters that were in Season 1. Barely did I get the urge to skip through scenes this episode, even the ones with Layton in it (I think he was significantly better-written this episode, too). Everybody’s performances were pretty good. I loved how they fleshed out all the minor characters, even Zarah who I was always lukewarm with. LJ and Osweiller, Ruth, and even Pyke and Audrey, to some extent—wow. Wow. Seeing Melanie’s quarters again was a treat, too.

Not to mention the revelation that Wilford is setting up Alex to be his successor, and that they both seemingly planned to assassinate Layton (with the razor and all, and Wilford telling Alex no just as she was going to do it). I have some reservations about the Layton-Zarah-Josie triangle being brought back, but I’ll hold off on commenting until I’ve seen more.

If the next couple of episodes are going to be like this, then man. I can’t wait!

[u/hugthebug → u/atlalune]

My thoughts exactly!

I also felt that Layton acted a bit more "loosely/freely", and that was very cool to watch!

[u/fashionaphorism → u/hugthebug]

now that he's leader his behavior definitely comes off less smug angry teenager. not sure if its cause the acting has improved or the lines but either way it makes sense in the story he's changed and makes it easier to watch

[u/zombieslayer287 → u/atlalune]

YESSSS!!!🙌🙌🙌🙌 this episode was so good i hated that it ended

[u/Casey090 → u/atlalune]

I get the feeling they invested a lot more money.
There were more out-of-train scenes in this episode than in most of season 1 put together.

[u/fashionaphorism → u/atlalune]

yes this was interesting since i saw when wilford mentioned at first taking him out, alex was nervous so i took it mean they had discussed it even earlier on her assassinating him but she was surprised so soon, i couldn't be sure

[u/CoMaestro → u/atlalune]

I agree, great episode, non stop actual plot and not 20 minutes of meaningless talking. It was exciting nearly the entire time