We thought we loved Pawter last season, but clearly we did not understand the true depth and definition of love.
Thankfully, we saw an entirely new and epic side to Pawter in season two. Pawter was essential this season. She not only (unwittingly) made John ponder the Killjoys’ philosophy of ‘the warrant is all’, but ours, too. Pawter’s huge draw is her compassion. Yet we cannot afford that in the Killjoysverse. ‘Killjoys’ remains a fun, bounty-hunter-in-space joyride, but Pawter throws in a question of morality. Is the warrant truly all? Or have the stakes been raised so high that sides must be taken?
It offered Sarah Power the opportunity to boast her enviable acting range. She was comedic, charming, heartbreaking, swoon-worthy, brave, intense and a dozen more wonderful traits. Furthermore, she was so important to the overarching plot, and that’s exactly where Power should be. In the thick of it.
Her interaction with Pascal Langdale’s slimy Jelco was endlessly entertaining.
I don’t want to kill you, Jelco. You’re just a symptom. And I have to treat the disease. – Pawter
The barter and clash of power and restraint was a tense watch. Moreover, it gave us something to fistpump for when Pawter cleverly one-upped Jelco. Additionally great were her small interactions with Delle Seyah Kendry (Mayko Nguyen)—a snigger-inducing childish bickering. What we’d give for Pawter to come back. Power’s ability to charm in any pairing made us crave greedily for more.
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There’s a Dutch kind of badass and then there’s a doctor who yearns for redemption; who needs to put others’ welfare above hers, at whatever cost. And that’s badass in my book.
Like a lot of other shows, ‘Killjoys’ is crammed with scene-stealing performances. Yet what makes Power’s depiction of Pawter so enticing is her absolute humanitarianism. At the end of season one, she had the explicit choice of safety by going with the ‘Killjoys’. Yet she remained in the tunnels of murky Oldtown, treating the sick with smuggled supplies and every ounce of her intelligence, courage and sympathy.
Not for one moment could she leave her people to suffer like that. One of our favourite Pawter quotes is a sarcastic admission of who she is:
Yes, yes, I’m a pretty, pretty princess. – Pawter
But it’s so categorically untrue (except the pretty). Pawter’s big heart and determination to do the right thing so altruistically is badass. Shoving that ankle bracelet in Jelco’s chest? Badass. It just proves you don’t need to have jaw-dropping fight sequences to ‘qualify’ for badass. In this case, you simply have to be Pawter. And Power’s portrayal of her integrity and honour has been admirable. Dutiful, loyal, and above all—not just a “pretty, pretty princess”. Power layered her so well that it’s impossible to think of her as simply that.
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Romance with John regardless, Pawter isn’t defined by that or her past with D’Avin.
Ever since the duo first joined forces it was obvious Pawter and John (Aaron Ashmore) shared a sense of empathy for others. John’s always been dubbed by D’Avin (Luke Macfarlane) as the one who “gives a shit”. As for Pawter, it’s central to who she is. When we first met Power’s morally questionable doctor, we saw her mainly through D’Avin’s eyes. Even in season two, D’Avin frustratingly has moments where he degrades her as the doctor who sleeps with patients. And he just doesn’t get it.
Junkie or not, you are the best doctor on this shitty moon. – John
What Power portrayed in Pawter is 100% growth and heart. She was wily, a bit of a political swindler, and a human who allows herself to give into her desires. But, as we saw in ‘Meet the Parents’, Pawter can also be reduced to the small girl at the dinner table too. Power played her with absolute heart, and it radiated through the screen. Her blossoming bond with John was organic and far more fitting than her and D’Avin would ever have been. The pair understood each other—and so did Power and Ashmore.
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Sarah Power’s elegant presence on-screen will drag a smile from you. Guaranteed.
There’s something indescribably enchanting about Sarah Power that hooks you. When Pawter grins infectiously, you can’t help but smile with her. We’ve smiled with her; we’ve cried for her.
Though cast-away to Oldtown, Power retained Pawter’s highborn posture and pride. Paradoxically, she was humble and unassuming. Her enunciation of every word is pitch-perfect, and so is the rapidity yet clarity of her speech. Power’s expert juggle of the dichotomous mix of politician and medic was fascinating. Yet her sole drive remained the same: to look after others.
Power’s standout episode was back in season one, ‘Come the Rain’. It was the first glimpse we got of a Jakk-addicted Pawter, and we remember every quiver focused on Pawter’s hands. We can still feel her anxiety at her reaction to the dirty Jakk. This season, Power consistently blew us away. And what a smart move it was by Michelle Lovretta to ground Power at the integral epicentre of season two.
We’re going to miss Pawter Simms. She may have stolen John’s heart, but Sarah Power has taken ours too—and we’d punt anyone a keg of Hokk who claims otherwise. Rest in peace, Pawter Simms, lady of the land—and rest in peace as the hero of Oldtown.