Wynonna Earp – Keep The Home Fires Burning

By starrymag | April 12, 2016

By: Caitlin Walsh

 

The episode opens with Marshall Dolls (Shamier Anderson), who seemingly has no sense of humor or emotion other than end-of-the-world seriousness (which Wynonna is, of course, determined to crack). This gives Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) her first solo task–seeking out some revenants (demons) in a local nightclub. Wynonna seems just as puzzled as the audience does that Dolls is immediately sending her in without any back-up, but she’s past it quickly–she’ll take a challenge, and considering her lone wolf personality, she didn’t seem too phased.

 

She also doesn’t listen, naturally. The second episode in and even I know that Wynonna Earp isn’t exactly subtle. Dolls wants her to play it cool, but less than 20 seconds into her being in the club, she’s shooting revenants pretty openly. Panic ensues from club goers, but nevermind them. “What happened to discreet, huh?!” irks Dolls. Come on, you had to know what you were getting into with Wynonna.

 

The highlight of the fight happens just as she’s about to shoot a revenant when she says, “Ugly and dumb. You sure we haven’t dated?” This girl. I can’t get enough.

 

Dolls and Wynonna shooting together gave the chance for some important history lessons. Dolls filling her in as to when and how the Black Badges division of the US Marshals began (“…by Roosevelt.” “Eleanor?!” “Teddy.” Bless my feminist sass queen.)

 

More importantly, we get a look into the dynamic that I’m sure we’ll see more of between Wynonna and Dolls, and Wynonna’s morality. Agent Dolls is, naturally, advocating for keeping things as quiet as possible from the public by insisting that they don’t find out about any of their supernatural foes among them. Wynonna, despite hating most of the people in the town of Purgatory (nice facade Earp, I know you’re a softy deep down, despite all your sarcastic remarks and your constant taste for booze), advocates for the truth and transparency: “People here deserve to know what they’re up against.”

 

Of course, it’s not that simple. Dolls let her know what happened to one particular New Mexico town that found out the truth. (Hint: It’s nothing, but a crater now.) But here’s what I appreciate: Dolls is the classic agent with a protect and serve, black and white mentality. Things are what they are and the rules are as is. Wynonna isn’t though and I hope we see more of that back and forth between the two.

 

The episode wouldn’t be complete without a showdown in Shorty’s, this time with Wynonna and Red (David Haysom). I’m not sure whether I’m impressed that Wynonna wasn’t written with inhuman ninja-like reflexes and didn’t grab the Peacemaker before him or unimpressed with her slow reaction. I mean, c’mon, why are we just leaving the gun lying on the bar in the first place? Regardless, it works out. Apparently, revenants can’t hold the gun without getting burned and Wynonna took care of Red. (Rest in peace, Red….again. We hardly knew ya’.)

 

Also, shout out to Gus for being back up on her feet, drinking and washing up revenant messes in the saloon right after getting out of the hospital after almost dying. She may have been a little on the harsh side with Wynonna earlier in the last episode, pre-attack, but she was grieving. We can look past it, right?

 

I have to admit, despite my love for Wynonna thus far, the stand out star of this episode was Waverly Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley). And I’m not alone in thinking that – cue Officer Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell) giving Waverly all the heart eyes. It could not have been a more clichéd meeting and yet, I’m still here for it. Waverly spills beer on her white tank top and needs to change it then and there, but, oops, it’s stuck on her head! It’s borderline bad fanfiction and I don’t hate it. They’ve made it work as this show does a wonderful job balancing sci-fi and comedy with some sprinkles of drama, as well. It’s not trying to be deep and dark through and through and that’s working for them.

 

Cue dimply, blushing, mess of a Waverly as soon as Officer Haught (Katherine Barrell) walks in the door, more or less. Holy hell, I’m turned on. Fandom, we’ve got our ship. All aboard.

 

If we’re being honest, I had my doubts about Waverly early on. I mean, the youngest Earp is sweet as can be and cute as hell, but the girl is naive to a major fault and she’s just too good and too pure for this world, almost annoyingly so. But still, I’m not ready to write her off just yet. She so badly wants to be in the fight and learn something from Wynonna, who is so determined to keep Waverly out of harm’s way. We know they’ll get there. Waverly is an Earp–and that means something in Purgatory. She can be useful and she’s so desperate to prove that and to show Wynonna that she’s not some little kid anymore. I, for one, am rooting for her.

 

Back to the revenants and, in particular, Hank/Henry, who says, “The dead don’t get a vote. Now, are we doing this, or what?” Maybe part of this is thirteen-year-old me rearing her awkward staged, fangirl head, but Tim Rozon is such a gift. From his days as swoon worthy Tommy Quincy on “Instant Star” to his new turn as the mysteriously smart player Doc Holliday on Wynonna Earp, Rozon has always been able to play charm. His characters feel effortlessly cool, but always layered. Doc’s got a story and he’s easily one of my favorite characters to watch on this show. (Sidenote: He’s not exactly a revenant, but not human? I’ve got questions and I still am not sure what side he’s playing for. He’s a complete wild card. I’m here for it.)

 

Another thing I’m so here for? Some Earp sister bonding. Give it to me all day everyday. “It’s tough for her, being the youngest.”

 

I have to admit my heart sinking a little for Waverly when Wynonna is looking at their measurements on the wall – Willa, Wynonna, but no baby Waverly. “I’m not on there, am I,” wonders Waverly. Parts of me want to shake Waverly, wants to ask her why she’s so damn naive and oblivious and why she’s being told enough to open her eyes and won’t. But then again, part of me loves her for it. In Wynonna’s eyes, she’s always be her bright eyed baby sister who sees the world in vivid color and wonder – naive. But Waverly refuses to be defined by only that. She may be lighter than her sister, but she so wants to stop being treated like a sidelined child.

 

Thankfully, I have a feeling Waverly will be a much more of a main player from here on out. Her imaginary friend, Bobo, is very much not imaginary, but rather a sinister “bossman” leading the revenants. He manipulated a young Waverly and for that, she now carries some of that guilt from her father and Willa’s deaths that Wynonna had been carrying alone all these years.

 

Wynonna. Tortured, dark and hilariously twisty Wynonna delivered the line of the episode at the end – one that I’m sure will define this show for years to come, no matter how long it runs: “You’re just a girl. I am the girl. With the big ass gun. And one by one, I am going to blow you all to Hell.”

 

What’s the deal with Bobo (Michael Eklund)? How worried should I be? Because at this point, it’s a substantial amount, if we’re being honest. He’s not messing around and he’s leading with no mercy (not that I exactly expected it, but torturing revenants by pulling them outside their boundary lines and letting them writhe in pain–he’s no joke). I’m not sure whether Doc is playing Bobo, the Earps or both–but he’s playing all the moves well, at the very least. Waverly trusts him. Bobo seems to begrudgingly trust him or at least believes he has control over him. Wynonna seems to be the only one with her head on somewhat straight, not trusting him at all. But her attraction to bad boys may override. We’ll see…

 

Additional notes:

 

• “When I see something I like, I don’t want to wait.” Okay, Officer Haught. OKAY. (Waverly’s face–she’s all about it. I know it when I see it.)

 

• “Good thing you’re not a guy, right?” Oh, Waverly – you sweet, sweet naive child. You’re a breathless, bumbling mess right now. C’mon, now.

 

• “If that shit thinks he’s coming in here, uninvited…” Waverly, cocking her shotgun and refusing to go run and hide. My. Girl. “This is Earp land.” I’m going to have to give the game ball to Waverly for this episode.

 

• Okay, seriously Wynonna? Why can you never hold onto Peacemaker?! I’m just not buying it. I’m sorry. In the real world, this feels like the equivalent of maybe dropping your iPhone every two seconds