The Strain: Season 1, Episode 2

The Strain
Episode Title:  "The Box"
Channel:  FX
Director:  David Semel
Writers:  Bradley Thompson, David Weddle
Genre:  Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror
Runtime:  60 min
Rated:  TV-MA
Original Air Date:  July 20, 2014

OK, so after the actual disaster and the depiction of some wanton violence in the first episode, we as viewers should expect episode two to slow down a little bit and actually develop some characters.  There's plenty of that as we bounce between Eph's deteriorating family, Gus and his deadbeat brother, and these Stoneheart Group guys that think setting this all in motion is some sort of answer to the old man's health problems.

The acting was a little better in this episode, and I'm excited to see more of Kevin Durand's character, even if his accent was a little hit and miss.  Some of the dialogue though is still off-putting.  There were at least two lines that I very nearly groaned at.  Hopefully as the show goes through a few writers in these first five or so episodes one of them will succeed in giving us good dialogue, and the others can take notes.

My favorite scene occurred between Abraham and Thomas Eichorst.  These are two adversaries that are well acquainted with each other.  Each knows exactly what buttons to push with the other, and there is real hatred present between them.  Hopefully they'll meet again under more equitable circumstances.  With all of these characters getting bits and pieces of their stories revealed it was a little disappointing to see nothing new for Dr. Martinez.  Currently she seems to be only a sidekick for Eph, who pops up to prop up whatever hypothesis he's already spouted.  She very briefly jumped in with a bit of advice but aside from that there's nothing new with her.

This next bit is spoilery, so only highlight if you really want to read it.

If the victims from the flight are going to start killing their families, and then presumably friends, neighbors and so on, and the 'survivors' are going to start freaking out and trying to kill the people around them, what's the difference?  I hope we find out soon because that will bother me until we do.

Conclusion:  Not a bad second episode, and it provided some necessary character details, but the dialogue especially seems to be this show's Achilles' Heel.  If they can get that squared away, and find the right balance of exposition and action per episode they'll be doing much better.

Rating:  6.5/10