Wynonna Earp Season 2 Episode 10 Review: I See a Darkness

This Wynonna Earp review contains spoilers.

Wynonna Earp Season 2 Episode 10

Perhaps for the first time, we see Waverly and Wynonna working against one another, and winding up squarely on opposite sides. It’s bad news for the Earps, but it makes for great television. While Nicole may have felt isolated from the Black Badge crew this season, their various (and sometimes misguided) actions to save her life this episode should make it clear where they stand.

This episode of Wynonna Earp succeeds in large part because it does such a great job at setting a group of characters we love off on conflicting, though completely understandable, paths. While other shows like the Vampire Diaries or Pretty Little Liars were excellent at coming up with conflicts that forced the same group of characters to rearrange their alliances, Wynonna Earp does them one better by grounding those motivations more firmly in character, rather than plot or whim.

But the show does lose points for the ridiculous factor of the firemen dressed like they’re going to a very dour Venetian masquerade ball in broad daylight. Aren’t they supposed to be a secret society? Unfortunately, this odd subplot isn’t helped by the acting talent of Brandon Fehr, who you might recognize as Booth’s brother from Bones or one of the three aliens from Roswell. He seems to be the rare actor who gets more wooden with age. And if I’m not mistaken, were the firemen offering to watch out for the incoming Earp heir…without its mother?

Nedley steals the show

Sherriff Nedley is in peak form this episode, what with his begruding love of Nicole’s cat Calamity Jane and his Michael Bay reference. Nedley’s delightfully sassy torture banter reminded me of the episode “War Stories” from Firefly. Every line he had was a showstopper, but one of the best had to be, “do you think this is my first Demon rodeo? Did you know we had an actual demon rodeo?”

Wynonna entrusting the seal to Nedley was a great an unexpected recognition of the evolution of their relationship. She once considered him her torturer (he still may…) but now refers to him as “her Nedley” while plowing through the widow with the car. That rescue was doubly satisfying because it was yet another example of pregnant Wynonna refusing to conform to anyone else’s idea of what pregnant behavior should be.

Waverly makes a choice

Waverly betraying Wynonna is set up expertly: an episode ago it felt impossible, but by the time all is said and done, it feels inevitable. From the beginning, Waverly is clearly taken aback to find out that Wynonna already knows the location of the seal, and sees Wynonna as somewhat at fault for Mercedes attacking Nicole. Still in the first act, Waves brings up the idea of using the seal as either bait or a trade, but Wynonna promises her that Nicole will be okay, just like Wynonna always plans to save the day. And she pretty much always does.

This was the perfect way to introduce Haught’s wife Shay – Nicole isn’t conscious to offer any explanation, and Waverly’s insecurities ratchet up while she waits for her sister, Doc, and Jeremy to sort things out. Dominique Provost-Chalkley always turns in excellent performances, but this episode belonged to her. In her scenes with Shay, she holds back from ever saying anything, letting it all play out across her face.

All Waverly needed at this point was a push in the right direction, and Dolls gave it to her. Everyone’s discomfort with Wynonna’s treatment of Rosita – which, for the record, was vital but rendered null by Waverly’s actions, though left a lot to be desired in the execution – put them over the edge. Though for Dolls it was likely his feelings for Wynonna, and about her pregnancy.

Waves even makes one more desperate attempt not to betray Wynonna, by making a deal with the iron witch’s sister. It’s naive, but she was looking for a way out. Still, she couldn’t resist, and of course Wynonna came through. If Waverly had just waited, this would be a decent, passable episode. But we’re in the home stretch of a series that seems to be improving all the time, and Wynonna Earp steps it up by reminding the audience that regardless of the paternity shuffle, the most important person in her life is her Baby Girl. And that means she’s also the one person in this world who can hurt her the most.

Wynonna gets gone

And just like that, Wynonna disappears and Doc is back at the bottom of a well. Not only are they gone, but no one has any recollection of who they are. Which is perfect timing, because Doc is now mortal, Wynonna had just figured out what to do next, and the widows have the green light to resurrect Clootie. Things are about to get very It’s a Wonderful Life in Purgatory.

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