Killjoys Review [2×05]: “Meet the Parents”

‘Killjoys’ unite story-lines in, ironically, a story of fall-outs and strained family ties. Laced with action, humour and intrigue—this is finally the return to the ‘Killjoys’ we love.

We kick off with two separate story-lines—first, we have Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen) and D’Avin (Luke MacFarlane) dealing with a warrant, and secondly, we have Johnny (Aaron Ashmore) escorting Pawter (Sarah Power) home. Simple, right?

Khlyen (Rob Stewart) links with D’Avin’s mind to find the Jaqobis’ home-planet, Telen. Accompanied by Fancy Lee (Sean Baek), they make a scary duo. Even scarier are Pawter’s family, headed by the haughty Adeline Simms (Jayne Lewis) and the humble Weymer Simms (Andrew Gillies).

Pawter wrestles with Adeline’s distaste of her. Meanwhile, a lethal fog is headed their way that turns humans into walking popsicles. With the mansion right within its radar, they have to figure out a way to stop the fog and its pathogens—which is revealed to be Adeline’s own making.

Dutch orders D’Avin to try and resist Khlyen’s mind-bending, only to result in a somewhat hilarious body-swap. However, it offers an interesting twist into the story-telling, and some much-needed dialogue between Dutch and Khlyen.

I don’t hate you anymore. I miss it. Hating you is simple, but now I’m floating, and I don’t know what to hold onto anymore. – Dutch

Back at Qresh, it’s Louella Simms’ (Kimberly-Sue Murray) smarmy betrothed Hank (Marco Grazzini) who was behind the fog-release. As Adeline dies, Weymer sacrifices himself to rid of the fog, and Pawter’s instated as the rightful Lady of the Land. It’s about time, and we can’t wait to see what change Pawter can bring about for Oldtown. And how about that kiss, Pawter/Johnny fans?

We really, really, really love Pawter Simms (Lady of the Land!)—if these past reviews haven’t indicated enough. Just when we think she can’t get any better, she does.

We always knew Pawter had a strained relationship with her mother. So to see her so painfully attempt to get any kind of love from Adeline hurt. Sarah Power stamped all over ‘MVP’ with her depiction of a shunted daughter determined to do right. She was heart-breaking, determined, and funny all in a too-short hour. However, family reunions are rarely easy…

How about you remember? I’ll drink. – Pawter, to Johnny.

But we couldn’t have estimated the frostiness (excuse the pun) of her family. Despite Johnny’s attempts to comfort her, Pawter summed it up perfectly by admitting that she still felt like “a little girl at the dinner table”. With the fatal fog approaching, Pawter begged her mother to help.

I’m right here. You just have to let me in. – Pawter

The trembling, tearful delivery of that line was brilliantly played by Power, as were the differing relationships within the family. The smile-through-your-teeth sisterhood with Louella, the animosity with Adeline, and the love with Weymer. And of course, the ever charming banter and warm, fuzzy ‘feels’ of watching Aaron Ashmore and Sarah Power play off each other. Power was an absolute star this episode. We’ll hold our tongue to say she can’t get any better—because we’ve probably said that before. Expanding Pawter Simms’ role was one Hells of a good choice by Michelle Lovretta. And we’re just grateful she’s no other than the inimitable Sarah Power.

The hilarity laced into this episode was just right.

The theme of family fall-outs weighed heavy on this episode, from Pawter’s to D’Avin’s. Both demanded huge performances from Luke MacFarlane and Sarah Power, and both delivered with gusto. But what ‘Killjoys’ does so delicately is balance that depth with hilarity—and unlike our qualms with the last episode, ‘Killjoys’ did it in perfect, old-style. There needn’t be excessive profanities or forced situations. Most impressively, Rob Stewart got his chance to flex his comedic muscles as D’Avin-in-Khlyen, paired with Sean Baek’s giggle-worthy bafflement at the switch.

Aaron Ashmore’s Johnny is always a reliable go-to guy for humour, and the entire dinner scene proved it. Try as he might, Johnny will never be able to keep up to Qreshi standards with his awkward attempt at following traditional procedure. To be fair, it’s quite like your first time at a posh restaurant and not understanding why there’s five spoons and twenty forks for one meal.

Then there’s his attempt at…well…this:

Relax! – Johnny

[The total opposite of relaxed] Has there ever been a woman in your life who’s responded well to ‘relax’?! – Pawter

Point taken. – Johnny

Is the mystery of Arkyn, Dutch, D’Avin and Khlyen all interlinked somehow?

This is the stickiest story-line to get our hands all green-gooed over. We’re not sure what everything means but we’re piecing it together. Excuse the comparison, but much like Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter, there’s a mind-link between Khlyen and D’Avin—that D’Avin can begin to resist (alas, without Snape’s training). However, next time he should probably resist a little less, for Dutch’s sanity. Certainly, she could do with fewer ‘Freaky Friday’ situations.

As Khlyen and Fancy still try to work out the mystery that is D’Avin’s immunity to Level 6, Dutch is still trying to find answers.

Why was I on Arkyn? As a girl? – Dutch

It wasn’t you. – Khlyen

It’s plagued us since the start. Why did we see Dutch (or not-Dutch) in D’Avin’s visions? What was with that mirror scene? Is there some alternate version of Dutch out there? Good grief, will we get a Hannah John-Kamen Dutch-vs-Dutch fight scene? Is Dutch repeatedly reincarnated? There’s a plethora of questions. Though Dutch hasn’t felt like the focus of these past episodes, we get the feeling that John-Kamen’s irresistible lead will storm to the forefront once more.

As we watched Dutch and Alvis lose and regain their faith, this time it was Johnny who lost his—in the Killjoys mantra.

We’ve always known that Johnny is the one who “gives a shit”. He has a big heart. In connecting with Pawter, platonically and romantically, we’ve seen his compassionate side swell. It was always there.

Your mother is an asshole. They all are. You deserve better, Pawter Simms. – Johnny

So do the people of Oldtown. Isn’t that why we came here? – Pawter

Whereas last season, D’Avin seemed to tear down Johnny and Dutch’s relationship, and Johnny was angered so, this season Johnny’s disillusioned by the Killjoy mantra altogether. It had been a long-time building. The epitome of a Killjoy is Dutch—yes, she cares, and she’s compassionate—but she gets the job done and is out. Johnny’s heart lingers. It’s what makes Pawter a great medic. And it’s what makes Johnny lose faith as he muses sombrely, “Maybe the warrant isn’t everything.”

It gives perfect tension to the last scene in which Dutch hugs Johnny tight—a relationship we’ve been robbed of this season. And we know Johnny counts Dutch as family. That he’d do anything for her. So when this comes:

A lot of things have changed for me lately…you’re my gravity, Johnny Jaqobis. If things did change, you’d tell me, right? – Dutch

It’s an ultimatum Johnny has drummed himself up with. It’s not a question of head versus heart—it’s heart versus heart. Dutch is his heart. But so is Pawter. So is his compassion and empathy. And quite prominently, it’s devoid of the Killjoy mantra.

Final Verdict: ‘Killjoys’ delivered on the premiere and hit a slight dip, but now it’s back to its blistering, fun, intriguing action once more in easily the best episode of the season so far.

The camera-work this episode was gorgeous. From the special-effects of the Qresh explosion to the beautiful lighting in the final Johnny and Pawter scene, everything seemed to fall into place. Adam Barken’s joyous script made for some hilarious scenes and also some wonderful, heart-rending ones. It was the perfect mix of everything we’ve always adored about ‘Killjoys’, and some of the dialogue was pure brilliance. There were, really, too many quips to include!

Things are speeding up now, and we’re picking up the pace in Michelle Lovretta’s always-exciting series. A couple of changes this episode that were particularly amusing was the allowance of Rob Stewart’s comedic debut on the show—and the happy extension of Sean Baek’s. We hope more focus is given to Dutch as the episodes progress, because it feels as though she’s been missing. Finally, the costume department must be praised for the Simms’ stunning outfits. We’ll leave you with this:

To protect what you love, you must become something you hate. – Adeline

Questions and Comments:

• “You’re my gravity, Johnny Jaqobis.” This is honestly one of the most beautiful lines I’ve ever heard.
• Please say Alvis has some answers for Dutch and why she was on Arkyn!
  • Are we any closer to why D’Avin’s The Special One with the green goo? So far, Khlyen’s seeded out two options: his mother, or the military operation on his brain. Any punts?
• Well it was damned good to see Ethan Duncan again!
• What I love about ‘Killjoys’ is that the women, be they Delle or Adeline, are the absolute bosses. While they’re not exactly pleasant, but that they can hold such revered status is excellent.
• The continuation of Dutch and D’Avin’s trust issues is good. And I’m glad they haven’t forgotten it.
• Fancy’s reaction to D’Avin’s version of Khlyen was a treasure to watch.
• I’m really missing Bellus, though. When can she come back?!
• We got another mention of the Black Root tonight—any guesses on what this organisation is, or who they are?

Catch the next episode of KILLJOYS on Space and Syfy 9l8c.