IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MY SEASON FINALE (EPISODE 10) REVIEW, HERE IT IS: https://polarbearstv.com/2013/10/19/strike-back-shadow-warfare-episode-10-review-3x104x10/
Let’s talk about Leo Kamali. Is he a traitor? Is he a hero? The answer is no.
What Kamali is is a man that just wants to survive. Yes, he’s working with Section 20, but he sells Scott and Stonebridge out to save himself. Yes, he sells them out, but it’s out of necessity. He isn’t exactly loyal to anyone but his daughter, and while he does have a set of morals, what ultimately trumps all is his need to live. It’s completely understandable, and it’s what makes his character more interesting, more human, amidst all the chaotic action and cartoonish villains. Don’t get me wrong, Scott and Stonebridge are two of the most entertaining characters on television, but Leo Kamali portrays what it is to be human in an inhumane world.
This inhumanity is in full force tonight. Kamali is shot in the head at episode’s close as a necessary, yet tragic, end for his character. Stonebridge finds out that his captors are weaponizing a Smallpox variant for Al-Zuhari. Richmond and Martinez grapple with the inhumanity of allowing a woman get murdered in front of them. All contribute to the theme, one that lends itself to the bigger idea of escape: escape from Section 20, escape from our moral blinders, escape from our lives.
Stonebridge talks about this when he remarks that he wished it would all just end. Yes, there’s no doubt that he’ll make it out alive, but the poison really allows him to reflect on his life, allowing us more insight into his character. Last week, the prison lent itself to the constricting situation, and this week, the mysterious lab does the same. It really brings him to the breaking point.
A breaking point is where we’re at this season. Locke makes an impassioned speech about avenging Kamali’s death, one that is an exciting lead in to the final two episodes of the season. It’s hard to believe we’re already here, but here’s hoping to an exciting finish.
GRADE: B+
OTHER THOUGHTS:
-“I feel better already.” “Really?” “No.”
-That shot of the guard falling off the guard tower is strangely beautiful.
-Stonebridge’s ass makes an appearance.
-Scott gets it on with Nina.
-I’ll miss Zubin Varla as Kamali. That final conversation with the daughter is, although cliched, heartbreaking in retrospect. I fully expect Scott to remedy the situation.
-I wonder what the chances are that the show would kill off one of its leads. It’d be a gutsy move, but I’m not sure it would work.
Credit to Cinemax and Strike Back for all pictures. I own nothing.
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I really enjoyed Locke’s impassioned speech. I will miss Kamali. He was a real interesting character. I can’t believe the end of the season is coming soon as well. That flew by.
Yup, agreed. I know they have something awesome in store for us.