Martin Carr reviews the eighth episode of The Mist…
Natural selection by supernatural forces seems to be par for the course this week in The Mist. With sexual tensions running high, food, water and common sense are left by the door. Familial clashes continue being unearthed and reconciliation seems a million miles off. All that can be guaranteed is the ever-present pea soup which lurks outside welcoming visitors.
Bandying around biblical hell fire, prophetic visions and words of mumbo jumbo wisdom Mrs. Raven carries on her mad as a barmpot routine. Laying down subtle threats, giving it the full on glassy-eyed bag lady rhetoric whilst reminding everyone that her naked stroll and survival had more to do with purity of spirit than anything else. As confessional panic leaks from every pore Raven takes full advantage and goes as far as humanly possible in taking the opportunity. By relying on spiritual ambiguity rather than cast iron fact and logic, Raven plays on insecurities gains further support and lights a metaphorical wick before stepping back.
Elsewhere homophobic generational misunderstandings take a front seat as one confrontation to many ends with bloodshed, a litany of lies and one unconscious central player. Revelations emerge just as further seeds of mistrust are being sown, physical attraction turns into an animalistic rutting on backseats and cabin fever finally goes pop. As the domino effect continues gaining momentum, principle players turn traitor, revel in a turncoat mentality or simply get religion.
With suspicions, accusations and repressed recriminations coming to the fore this mini-series continues focusing on detail, character and development minus effects and big bangs. Honesty comes from the strangest places, underhanded behaviour manifests amongst the most innocent, while others take up the middle ground. The Mist might not have the scale, budget or most respected source material amongst its competitors, but there remains much to enjoy here. Morgan Spector’s Kevin Copeland plays his ‘everyman’ role to the hilt, while Alyssa Sutherland veers between vengeful mother, protective matriarch and kick arse survivalist. Other stand outs include Frances Conroy’s Mrs. Raven and Isiah Whitlock Jr.’s Gus Redman, snake in the grass, self-proclaimed leader and man capable of anything.
As voices of reason become few and far between and those who remain continue going back down the food chain, you begin to wonder how long it will be before they start eating each other. Not in an Eli Roth Green Inferno fashion, but more Dark Knight everyone for themselves sort of scenario. As the fractured groups begin coming together you can almost hear them sharpening the knives.
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