Scares were scarce this week – the ‘rabid rotters’ weren't really rabid and only a short sequence of zombie uprisings featured (albeit, very
nicely done). Instead drama took precedence, as overt themes of guilt, denial
and acceptance became present when new characters were brought into the village
of Roarton.
Continuing from last week’s episode, Kieran remains trapped
at home. Forced to spend time with his father, pretend –eat at the dinner table and continuously receive the cold shoulder from his sister, it is no
surprise that he grasps the opportunity to leave the house when he is left
home alone. He decides to embark on a day trip and visit the graveyard in which
he was buried – hinting to his death before the zombie apocalypse even occurred.
Whilst there, he encounters Amy, a fellow PDS sufferer. This character, at
first quite annoying, is actually a refreshing presence. Her positive attitude
toward this new post-death identity – choosing to go ‘au naturel’ by ignoring
her contact lenses and cover up – creates a more uplifting tone to the episode.
Amy is also an effective narrative devise. Whilst getting to know one another
better, it is through her questioning that we discover Kieran had in fact
killed himself pre-zombification.
Amy and Kieran go to the fairground to ‘live’ a little and
the theme of guilt really plays out here. Kieran is obviously still struggling
with his previous flesh-eating ways, manifested through the constant and eerie
re-appearance of his last victim. Conversely, Amy feels no guilt and
justifies their ravenous activities as ‘survival mode’. Both characters hash these feelings
out as they move from ride to ride. It is a clever way of breezing through what
would be heavy emotional turmoil, perhaps developed further if there were more
than three episodes to play with.
Elsewhere in Roarton, more time is spent on developing HVF
officer Bill and his family. Last week Bill and his wife discovered that their
son Rick, whom they thought had died whilst serving for the army in Afghanistan, was alive... well, partially. He had reached the end of his PDS rehabilitation and was ready to return home. Upon his arrival, both Bill
and Rick appear in denial, refusing to address the elephant (or should we say
PDS) in the room. They take part in father-son bonding activities, eventually
winding up at the British Legion (the local pub for HVF officers) for a few
drinks. This pub acts as a particularly effective setting in which the
metaphorical implications of PDS can be played out. Be it race, religion or
disability, any form of Otherness could be reintegrated here.
Throughout the episode there is an unspoken link between
Kieran and Rick. Subtle hints in Kierans room such as letters and portrait
paintings allude toward a possible romance that existed pre-uprising. Rick’s
casual inquiries to his father regarding the well-being of Kieran and his
family are also suggestive of the level of care felt for one another. Oh, and
there is the small matter that Kieran killed himself when Rick left for the
army. Both finally reunite in the Legion pub in an incredibly subdued manner,
but their attraction and elation at seeing one another is abundantly clear.
Their relationship was obviously a secret, most likely due to Bill’s
expectations of having a macho, gun-toting lothario for a son.
Their moment of happiness is soon called to a halt as
reports draw in of a ‘rabid rotter’ wandering in the woods. The HVF grab their
weapons and make haste, Rick and Kieran also follow. It is in the woods that
the theme of acceptance really comes to the forefront. After an effective and
emotional heart-to-heart between Rick and Kieran (wonderfully written and
performed in such an understated and effective manner), both characters go
searching for the reported ‘rotters’. They are eventually found, but ‘rabid’ is
most certainly not the word that would describe them. They are docile and
caring for one another...even if they are eating flesh at the same time. It is a short moment of tranquil, which ultimately ends when Rick pulls a gun on them. Kieran
stands in the way, effectively declaring that Rick cannot kill one of his own.
Rick is most definitely in denial, unaccepting of his new identity and still
believing himself as a soldier, not a PDS sufferer. Kieran’s protest pays off however,
as he gets through to Rick. The not-so-rabid rotters are saved, so to speak,
and set on the path of rehabilitation.
The lack of scares and increase in drama this week was by no
means a negative quality. The character development is brilliantly dealt with
considering how little time the show’s creators have. The almost harmless
nature that the ‘rabid rotters’ had this episode was an interesting and provocative twist on traditional
genre formula, cleverly bringing into light further questions regarding the
morality of the HVF. Most of all, the romance between Kieran and Rick is a beautiful addition
to the series, adding further emotional depth to the shows narrative – what will be easier for Bill to accept? Rick's PDS? or the romantic relationship between him and Kieran? It will be interesting to
see how this all comes together in the last episode. After tonight’s
developments however, it is a shame it has to end so soon.
Keep your eyes peeled for the review of the final episode of In the Flesh. And if you feel like giving this series a go, the links to episode one and two are below...
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