
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
At the end of last week’s episode, Setrakian (David Bradley) realizes that tracking down all of the plane passengers is hopeless and comes up with a new plan. That new plan is to lure the Master out and to use Jim Kent (Sean Astin) as bait. Oh boy. The last time Jim interacted with Eichhorst (Richard Sammel), it didn’t go very well and I have no reason to believe this encounter will be any better. But when you are faced with an outbreak of epic proportions, I guess this plan is as good as any.
The Good
Thomas Eichhorst is a magnificent character and Richard Sammel’s portrayal is equally amazing. That said, I have come to expect that any scenes featuring Eichhorst are going to be some of the best of any episode and tonight was no exception.
Through another series of fantastic flashbacks, we learn more of the backstory of Eichhorst and Setrakian and what we discover about Eichhorst in some ways is a two-edged sword. As could be expected, Eichhorst is just as monstrous back when he was still human, which is demonstrated when he begins killing prisoners one-by-one until the one who secretly carved a Jewish idol comes forward. At the same time, it becomes evident as Eichhorst gets to know the young Abraham (Jim Watson), that there is a human side to the monster and he acts as if he actually wants to be Setrakian’s friend. He seems to enjoy the conversations he has with Setrakian and he offers Abraham a sandwich at the end as an expression of his gratitude for a job well-done, something that a commander would never have done to a prisoner in a concentration camp.

However, what we learn about Setrakian is equally as shocking. He said in episode 4Â that “inaction is the greatest evil.” If you think about it, there is a great deal of wisdom behind that saying and I don’t think any of us would have guessed that he learned that from Eichhorst himself.
 Oh, the nobility of the victim. You comfort yourself with the fantasy that you are morally superior but you’re not. The first day you arrived, I asked if there were any carpenters, and you eagerly threw up your hand! And, from that day on, you’re labored here working on behalf of the Third Reich! — Eichhorst
 I had no choice! — Young Setrakian
Yes, you had! But, you’re afraid of the choice, the alternative — Eichhorst
At that point, Eichhorst gave Abraham the opportunity to kill him, the very man who had murdered his entire family and made his life a living hell for years on end. But when the moment came, he couldn’t do it, thus proving Eichhorst’s point that it’s much easier just to stand by and do nothing. And right after that, we learn the true nature of the secret project Eichhorst had tasked Abraham with. Some of you may have thought he was just building something for the Third Reich and if only it were that simple! Instead, one of the biggest shockers of the episode is revealed when we learn that Abraham had created the Master’s coffin. Holy crap. Not only did Abraham pass up the opportunity to kill this monster Eichhorst, this man who in many ways was responsible for the epidemic they were facing, but he also was the one who created the Master’s resting place and refuge. I wonder how much of Abraham’s drive to blot out the Master and his strain is fueled by sheer guilt.
The Bad
Oh my, what in the world did they do to the Jim and Sylvia Kent (Melanie Merkosky) characters! The last time we saw Sylvia, she was this sweet, terminally ill woman who was in tears to learn she had been accepted to Stanford’s clinical trial for a new cancer drug. Tonight, the woman morphs into a total bitch from hell. Granted, I might have been a little pessimistic if my husband was considering joining a group of vampire hunters, but at the same time I think the last thing the character would have done is leave her husband standing, the same husband who risked his life and career in order to save hers. Some gratitude.
And Jim’s reaction to the entire situation was equally out-of-character. One of the last things Jim said to Eph in episode 4 was “You might not understand this, Eph, but I would do anything to save my wife’s life.” It was touching, it was sweet and it demonstrated that Jim was devoted to his wife above all else, including his job and all of his friends. So why now the change of heart? I don’t think he grew a conscience overnight because otherwise, he would have chosen to help Eph and his cause on his own, and not after he showed up on his doorstep. And to top it off, he stayed behind and watched his wife, this woman who meant the world to him, ride away all by herself and into a world that was being invaded by a race of vampires. Really?
Aside from a handful of cheesy quotes and clichés, I’ve said very few negative things about this show. But, honestly, I did not like the complete 180 these two characters did in this episode. It was distracting, it was unbelievable and it somewhat negated the heartfelt sentiment I had towards Jim Kent and everything he had been going through. Even still, there is one upside to this development — for those who are still rooting for Jim, he at least has a better chance at survival now that he doesn’t have to worry about protecting his wife.
The Really, Really Good
When I read book one of The Strain trilogy, there were two scenes that scared the pants off of me, and even to this day, still occasionally give me nightmares. The first one is when Roger Luss returns home from a business trip only to find his quiet neighborhood of Bronxville turned into a suburb of horrors courtesy of his vampire wife, Joan (Leslie Hope). The second is when Joan tracks down her children at Neeva’s home and attempts to break down the door to get to her “dear ones.”
So when it was rumored that the fan favorite from the books, Mr. Quinlan, was going to be introduced in season one, the question was how were they going to pull it off given the fact that the character doesn’t show up until book two. Â What’s more, Guillermo del Toro had teased that when Quinlan did finally appear, his entrance was going to be huge. Well if you want to give a character the biggest possible introduction, what better way than to make the character the hero in two of the most terrifying scenes in the book? That’s exactly what they did and it worked quite well, making the last five minutes the best of the entire episode.
In contrast to the source material, Joan doesn’t track her children to Neeva’s (Kim Roberts) home, but instead they cross paths when Neeva returns the Luss children, per the request of the husband Roger (Aaron Douglas). Joan has Neeva, the two children and Neeva’s daughter cornered in a wine cellar and just when they are about to be attacked, Luss is shot dead by a mysterious vigilante in a black hoodie. And this stranger is Mr. Quinlan (Stephen McHattie).
So, who is this guy? He looks like a vampire. He even speaks like a vampire. But his actions say otherwise. Just from the way he looked, this guy would be terrifying to most children, but he knows exactly what to say and how to say it to put them at ease. He bends down to inspect the children, to make sure they are OK and he speaks softly and kindly to them, almost as if he has experience with children of his own.

Did they injure you? — Quinlan
No. — Neeva
Good. Bring the young ones to me. Ah, come over here. I wanna have a look at you, make sure you’re OK. Did they, uh, scare you? I bet they did. Good, you look OK. Come here, what about you? (motions to Audrey) Did they, uh, hurt you? No? Well, that’s a good thing to know, huh. And, how about you? (motions to Neeva’s daughter) — Quinlan
It’s just a nick, I’ll be OK — Neeva’s daughter
Oh, may I see? (examines her). Um, yeah, good. Take the children, go! — Quinlan
After Quinlan examines the wound, he closes his eyes, almost as if he’s saddened and a part of me knew what was coming. Even still, I jumped when he shot the girl. Poor Neeva! But at the same time, it was clear that this mysterious hero knew this disease, knew there was no hope of treatment for the girl and didn’t hesitate to do “what needed to be done,” as Setrakian put it so many times before. Kind, gentle, but also just as ruthless.
So now the question that is probably on everyone’s mind — good guy or bad guy? Definitely a good guy and definitely on our side, you can trust me on this one. Remember, just because Quinlan killed the girl doesn’t make him bad because if that were true, we would have to label Setrakian bad as well. He certainly knows how to fight these creatures and we will eventually learn that he has a very personal link to the Master that will prove to be invaluable in this new war we are about to face. Definitely a character that we will be seeing a lot more of, you can bet on that.
Next week on The Strain we have the bottle episode that Chuck Hogan spoke of at San Diego Comic-Con. The majority of the episode takes place in a convenience store, where vampires are coming in from everywhere. It’s also when a good deal of the main characters are brought together and meet for the very first time.
Episode 1.08 is titled “Creatures of the Night” and airs Sunday at 10/9c on FX.
Related posts
8 Comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Classics
Previewing SurrealEstate Season 2 Finale + Revisiting the Season with George R. Olson
[Warning; General spoilers ahead.] Strap in, SurrealEstate fam, because we’ve arrived at the Season 2 finale, and it’s a doozy. As we saw in the closing moments of last week’s episode, Susan is back. But because we have one more episode left, it’s not as simple as all that, as…
Tyler Hynes Talks Through His Eight-Film Hallmark Holiday Library
Things you realize when you have to re-record your shows on a new DVR – just how many Hallmark movies your people have done. Fan favorite – and one of ours – Tyler Hynes has done eight Christmas movies for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since 2018. Alongside…
Spencer Creaghan Talks About Creating SurrealEstate’s Signature Sound
SurrealEstate is winding down its second season, with two episodes left, and just as in Season 1, Spencer Creaghan’s music continues to be a character unto itself. And every week, he shares tidbits with the fans via his s social media channels, something he started to help give them an…
Andrew Walker Talks Christmas Island and the Magical Hallmark Community
[Warning: Spoilers for Christmas Island.] Now that the Screen Actors Guild strike has been resolved, we’re able to resume regularly scheduled programming and interview our favorites and yours. Up first, earlier today, I spoke with Andrew Walker about Christmas Island, which premiered last weekend and encores tonight and through the…
George Olson and Danishka Esterhazy Talk SurrealEstate “I Put a Spell on You”
[Warning: Spoilers for the episode.] Tonight’s fun new SurrealEstate found Luke caught up in an especially bewitching woman, Kay, played by Tara Yelland, Susan trapped in her house, and Zooey learning the ropes. In the next part of my conversation with showrunner George R. Olson and producing director Danishka Esterhazy,…
Danishka Esterhazy Talks SurrealEstate: “The Butler Didn’t”
[Warning: General spoilers for the episode]. Tonight’s new SurrealEstate, “The Butler Didn’t,” follows the team as they investigate the years-earlier mysterious death of a woman whose ghost now reenacts her hanging by dropping over the banister from the second floor to terrify anyone on the landing or at the bottom…
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk the From Season 2 finale
[Warning: Spoilers for the season finale.] How’s everyone doing after that finale? While we wait and wonder and hope for a third season announcement, soon, here’s what Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders had to say about their parts of the finale, and where they hope they get to go next….
Scott McCord and Elizabeth Saunders Talk From Season 2 + A Season Finale Preview
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] It all comes down this, #FROMily. As Sunday’s episode wraps up Season 2, we begin with the aftermath of the terrifying onset of seemingly simultaneous attacks on Julie, Marielle, and Randall, which accelerate the “We gotta get out of this place” of it all. Sara comes…
Alison Sweeney Talks About What’s Next for Hannah and Mike After Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery
[Warning: Spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder.] Everybody OK after that Hannah Swensen Mystery twist? Thankfully, our favorite crime-solving couple is still on speaking term, even if they’re on a break (hopefully not that kind of break). Most importantly, we already know this isn’t the last film in the series. No…
Counting Down to From Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] We’re just shy of two weeks away from Season 2 of last spring’s obsession, From, which premieres at 9 pm/8c, Sunday, April 23rd, on MGM+ (formerly EPIX). If you never picked it up last year, now’s your chance, and you can do it for free, catching…
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…
Nice article, Mary. I got a question that has been itching me, do you know what happens to Joan Luss in the book? I’ve read it twice, don’t remember. I’ve skimmed through em, the last Joan Luss mention I could find was her showing up at Neeva’s house and then that was it for her character, maybe I missed a passage?
This is a very good question! I honestly don’t think we are told what happens to her. You are right, she shows up at Neeva’s house, and tries to break down the door, and then, that’s it. I *think* the assumption is she probably was able to get into the house, but we never see that. Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan tends to do that alot, implies alot of things but never actually confirms them. They kind of did that with Roger Luss too in the books. You see him running down the street being chased by a bunch of strigoi, but we are never told that they actually caught up with him. But, that’s the assumption.
Again, great question!
“And right after that, we learn the true nature of the secret project Eichhorst had tasked Abraham with. Some of you may have thought he was just building something for the Third Reich and if only it were that simple! Instead, one of the biggest shockers of the episode is revealed when we learn that Abraham had created the Master’s coffin. Holy crap. Not only did Abraham pass up the opportunity to kill this monster Eichhorst, this man who in many ways was responsible for the epidemic they were facing, but he also was the one who created the Master’s resting place and refuge. I wonder how much of Abraham’s drive to blot out the Master and his strain is fueled by sheer guilt.”
-A nice writeup but this most certainly wasn’t a shocker for my wife & I. I figured this out the minute he was forced to step forward, revealing his carving skills, after Eichhorst shot a fellow prisoner. It was also obvious that he was working on a large box(i.e. coffin) throughout the episode.
You are very right, there were definitely some strong hints as to what Eichhorst was using Abraham for. And, of course, I knew since I have read the books. But, as I was following the comments on Twitter, I think alot of people were focused so much on Eichhorst and horrible he was that they weren’t paying as close attention on what Setrakian was doing. So, for them it was a little bit of a shock.
But, good points and thank you for your response!
I just re-read all 3 book and you are correct. The author’s love to end scenes (I shouldn’t say “cut short”), but as you mentioned, I just assumed Joan found a way in and made Neeva and her children part of the family. As well as Roger Luss since both are never mentioned again, and usually he’ll continue with their story if they somehow escape the strigoi.
And on another note, that last 5 minutes with the introduction of Quinlan was definately my favorite scene so far. The actor Stephen McHattie is the perfect Quinlan after watching that episode in my opinion. I just pray the show can parallel the book and show him just being the master destroyer of the Master’s spawn.
I am so happy you loved the introduction of Quinlan because I loved it too! I too hope they will parallel the book, and do think there were strong hints that they are heading in that direction. For example, it was obvious that Quinlan was good with kids, and he had to get that from somewhere. Well, if you know Quinlan’s backstory from the books (and without revealing it on here for those who have not read the trilogy), you can take a good guess where he might have gotten that. Just a hint at this point, but it does give some hope that they might follow the source material.
“After Quinlan examines the wound, he closes his eyes, almost as if he’s saddened and a part of me knew what was coming.”
Uh)) Thank you, Mary! Very cleverly written and insightful!
English is not my native language. Excuse me.
But I read with delight your article. After watching episode 7, I was just looking for information – like the one that: “who is this guy? He looks like a vampire”. And found your article.
About Quinlan you have written very humanly and with warmth..
I’m not a fan of “Strain”. Well, You can consider me a fan of Mr. Quinlan now. He’s awesome. Playing (the work of this actor) amazed me. Absolutely authentic. “..introduction of Quinlan was definately my favorite scene” (c). He saved this useless show, as for me.
(Excuse me, my muddled speech, once again).
Greetings from Ukraine.
Thank you for your comment! I’ve read all of the books in “The Strain” trilogy, and Mr. Quinlan is by far my favorite character, both in the books and in the television series thus far. By the way, given that you like the character, be sure to check out the final 2 episodes in the season. He’s in Sunday’s episode, and he will most definitely be in the season finale. Again, thank you!