IR TV Review: MONARCH - LEGACY OF MONSTERS - EPISODE 7 (“String Theory”) [Apple TV-S2]
The progression of "Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters" obviously is based in the context of these titans but once in a while it slows down enough to really do something cool. After the tragedy at the end of the Episode 5, there needs to be a certain catharsis but it is just a matter of how it is dealt with. In Episode 7 ("String Theory"), there are two parallel storylines running in this episode: one with Kate and Keiko and one with Lee and Suzuki with a small periphery with Kentaro. Now while the Keiko and Kate one has distinction and actually points to Keiko's fear (and it is the most quiet time they have had), the Lee functionality on the side of the volcano near a rift is much more meta. It also keys into what the draw of the show is but usually can't deliver. It works beautifully since one sees both sides...and both sides are thinking. It is some of the best acting so far and uses the second world as a conduit of regret.
While the reasoning for connecting there does serve a plot purpose (though its reality is a little weak), it is the character work on Lee that really is effective here. To give away too much more, gives away the great twist of the episode which is one of the better ones this season. Kentaro and Kate continue to deal with their father's passing in different ways but what makes it work is that their intentions and beliefs seem to pass each other in the night (like their lives). There is another antagonist here (human) which points to another point of contention which the show is just really starting to figure out (and what made "Lost" so good) is the context of time dilation which always is a great plot device if it make scientific sense (in the broadest way). But as the episode comes to a close, one gets a sense of decision, choice but always a reality that fate might just need to be what it is, despite the fact that some think that it could (or needs to) be changed. A-
By Tim Wassberg
