Altered Carbon Review Season 2 Episode 4

Altered Carbon Episode 2.4: Shadow of a Doubt

Written by Sang Kyu Kim

Directed by MJ Bassett

While the planet celebrates Harlan's Day, Kovacs hatches an escape plan, Quell pieces together fragments of her life, and Poe faces a reckoning. (www.netflix.com)

     This is probably the best episode of the season so far.    

     What will become the core assemble of protagonists has been brought together: Takeshi Kovacs (Anthony Mackie), Trepp (Simone Missick), (Quellcrist Falconer (Renée Elise Goldsberry), Poe (Chris Conner), and Dig 301 (Dina Shihabi) settle at the nostalgic Happy Face Motel to catch their breath before embarking on Kovacs’ escape plan.

     Everyone loves a love story, and this episode has Quellcrist and Kovacs reunited. When passionate lovers meet, sparks fly, with obvious results. This is a milestone for Kovacs who has been searching for his beloved for 300 years. Talk about dedication.

     Girl power is as strong as ever in this episode. Ladies from all sides of the hero/antagonist line show their resourcefulness, ability to adapt, and just plain evil. Quellcrist shows what makes her one of the toughest, deadliest, and most influential leaders of the age. Trepp tracks the escapees down in hours, demonstrating that she is one of the best bounty hunters in the business, as well as not having any qualms at exploiting her advantages. Dig 301, is brilliant, with equal parts concern, need, and stoic support to make the most cast iron heart nod in appreciation. A secondary character,

Lila (Britt Irvin) undergoes the sort of slasher torture that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up straight, the sort of torture Kovacs should have endured. Danica bears her perfect, Meth teeth and reveals the ruthlessness that made her governor with a fireworks display fit for Harlan’s Day.

     Twists abound, especially with the arrival of Evergreen, a double sleeved Takeshi Kovacs specifically sent for by Col. Carrera aka Jaeger.

     There is some sex for the fanservice crowd, but plenty of action and twists to keep the techno-geeks and sci-fi fans glued for the rest of this season.

References

"Altered Carbon: Shadow of a Doubt," Netflix. March 1, 2020. www.netflix.com

"Altered Carbon: Full Cast and Crew," IMDb.com Inc. March 1, 2010. www.imdb.com