Continuum: Rush Hour Review

This review contains spoilers for the most recent episode.

There’s not enough time! I know, it’s a time travel show, but that principle doesn’t apply to the fact that there are only four episodes of Continuum remaining. “Rush Hour,” like the season premiere, is full of action, suspense, and fun moments, but the forward progression still seems minimal, belying the episode title’s sense of urgency. Continuum always turns in a top-notch episode each week, though, and in that sense, I’m not too worried. I have the feeling things are about to get explosive.

In the meantime, we have the rescue of Emily as priority number one, and as the various players posture and maneuver, it’s becoming clear that almost no one trusts each other. Kiera has to reign in Carlos as he seeks to take down Kellog while Kellog manipulates Kiera into wearing a slinky dress and having dinner with him as she returns his hard drive full of Piron proprietary material. Even Brad and Kiera, the supposed lovebirds, are no longer being truthful with each other!

And the deceptions don’t end there! It’s understandable that Alec and Lucas would plant a trojan horse to control the data they return to Kellog in exchange for Emily’s freedom, but it’s a dangerous game they’re playing. Even Alec’s part in rescuing Emily, as he masquerades as his deceased doppleganger to get past Kellog’s guards, was a disaster waiting to happen. It has always been hard to know who to root for in Continuum, but with all of this duplicity, it’s becoming even more difficult.

The only people I could really get behind in this episode were Travis and Garza – who’d have thought? Their plan to take out Kellog may have been overly elaborate, but it was super classy. Phosgene tainted candles? Very elegant! And let’s be honest, Kellog needs to be taken out; it’s the quickest way to ensure the 2039 timeline from which the Time Marines and Warlord Kellog originate doesn’t happen.

Speaking of the future soldiers, Marcellus’ shopping list is one of the most intriguing details of the season to date. The holographic recording from the future counsels the younger Kellog to trust these mercenaries, but can he really? The materials they need appear to be the makings of a nuclear reactor or something equally as powerful, and the specific building that they require must be important in their future. I can’t help but wonder what Marcellus’ opinion is of this more naive, self-centered version of his commander.

In fact, that’s the storyline I’d like to see more of! Sure, I enjoyed Emily kicking some more butt, and Carlos t-boning Liber8 and then emptying his gun into Travis (who never dies) was pretty cool. Plus the return of Dillon with his half-burned face hints at future conflicts that are sure to entertain. But I’d like to learn more about the Traveler’s part in all this as well as the role the Time Marines will play in the final moments of the series.

In the meantime, there’s Emily’s departure, which seems to be more about not being Jason’s mother (and thus not in Alec’s future) than it is about her worry about being used as leverage again. Is this the last we’ll see of her? If you want to discuss questions like this with fellow fans, join me and Dave over at http://continuumpodcast.com each week for predictions, nitpicks, and plenty of fan interaction!