Written by Rob Crowther IV
Sometimes a show presents so many questions, we tend to wonder if we will ever truly get all of the answers. Show like LOST have left fans wondering and hypothesizing for years. Naturally, I worry when another phenomenally show comes along and leaves me scratching my head episode after episode. Fortunately, this particular episode, ‘Rock Bottom’ was a refreshing change of pace chock full o’ explanations.
(Spoilers for Episodes 1-5 of Season 2 Ahead)
Let’s start with our newest Runaway, Topher (Jan Luis Castellanos). (Cue the Topher origin story). Topher explains to the Runaways that he has been living on the streets after being kicked out by his terrible parents. He explains that one day he found some strange glowing rocks in a terrarium that turned his eyes yellow and gave him his abilities. He says it makes him feel incredible. Molly (Allegra Acosta) hangs on his every word and is trying to relate to him as much as she can.
Check out our review of premiere for Runaways Season 2.
Unfortunately, I’m not buying it for a second. There’s more holes in this story than a Swiss cheese factory. This character has been way too convenient and is way too much of a smooth talker. There’s a lot more to this story.
Surely enough, we come to find that Topher is indeed lying about everything. He was affected by the same explosion as Molly and gained his powers in a similar fashion. He’s much older than we think and his powers have caused major issues with his family. His father is actually in a wheelchair because of him. He desperately wants to come back to his family, but they tell him he is too dangerous. (And he is)
During a battle with the Runaways outside of his home, he throws a dumpster at the kids. Chase (Gregg Sulkin) repels the flying dumpster with his fistigons, but it starts heading towards Gert (Ariela Barer) inside of the car. Topher comes through big time as he sacrifices himself to save Gert and is crushed by the dumpster. We see the good him, but we’ve also just seen the worst of him. Also, a subtle anti-drug message of sorts here, and I’m very cool with it.
Elsewhere, we finally get some answers concerning who Jonah (Julian McMahon) is. Jonah gives Karolina (Virginia Gardner) the grand tour of the bottom of the dig site. He explains that the glowing fluid at the bottom are her species and one of the puddles is her brother. This is pretty crazy stuff happening as we see a hand reach towards Karolina’s hand from inside the liquid substance. Jonah explains that he is an alien and that he was able to eject as his spaceship crashed on Earth. However, the rest were not as lucky. He explains that he is trying to save them and soon they’ll be free.
Karolina seems to be infatuated with Jonah and I thought she truly wasn’t even the least bit skeptical. Yet I was wrong, as she shockingly returns to her mother to ask what she knows about the situation. Smart move.
Karolina isn’t the only one who goes back, as Gert goes to the hospital to get her meds. The nurse says her parents are on the way. I think this could be a huge misdirection. Gert just got done comforting Molly who so badly wanted to relate to Topher. She also told her dinosaur (as one does) that everything’s okay and she’ll explain later.
Meanwhile, the PRIDE parents continue to plot against Jonah, and Robert (James Yaegashi) actually makes a play at killing him. He almost succeeds using tech from Karolina’s inhibitor bracelet but is saved by the two ladies from the church. Jonah brings Robert back to PRIDE and basically tells them all to step off. It’s unclear at this point if Robert is dead or unconscious, but judging from Tina’s (Brittany Ishibashi) reaction it’s not good.
I’m unsure about the status of Topher and Robert at this point, but a lot more things are certain now. It seems as though, everyone is starting to embrace their individual roles and starting to choose sides. Will Jonah become a common enemy for the PRIDE parents and the Runaways? What is Gert planning? In the words of Jonah, “You wanted answers” and I’m confident this series will give us plenty more.
Runaways Season 2 is currently streaming on Hulu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y2T3SOlbmg
