The Strain: Season 1, Episode 9

The Strain
Episode Title: "The Disappeared"
Channel: FX
Director: Charlotte Sieling
Writer: Regina Corrado
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Horror
Runtime: 60 min
Rated: TV-MA
Original Air Date: September 7, 2014

Still no answers as to who the surprise combatants were at the end of episode 7. There's mystery, and then there's not answering questions that need to be answered. Here's to hoping that the audience gets some answers before they forget that they're supposed to care. Eldritch Palmer was also absent in this episode, making it at least three episodes since we saw any movement on his part of the story.

The episode itself felt like a placeholder episode. Aside from Ephraim reuniting with his son not much happens. At one point Eph's true feelings slip out regarding one of his relationships and I'm hoping that this is the nudge that Nora needed to become more interesting. From her reaction it seems likely that simply agreeing with every course of action will not be in her immediate future. Zach, Eph's son, is asthmatic; continuing the show's trend of giving the heroes horrible home lives or medical liabilities that will be sure to raise its head at the most convenient time to create 'drama.'

The flashback scenes to Setrakian's time in a concentration camp in Poland and the aftermath of the prisoners' liberation were perhaps the most significant moments of the episode. They did leave me wondering how Setrakian has any use of this hands at his age, following the injuries he sustained. The liberation is also a turning point for Eichorst, the audience is finally shown the genesis of the creature we know in present day. Even the Master makes an appearance, although he wasn't as terrifying as I had hoped, and what's with those middle fingers?

Conclusion: I know it seems like a lot of negative opinion up there, but that's just the stuff that really stuck out. The episode itself wasn't the worst one the audience has been shown, it's more the lack of answers and forward progress that inhibited this episode. After last week maybe we should've expected a slow down, and maybe it's just the calm before the storm.

Rating: 6.25/10