IR TV Review: MONARCH - LEGACY OF MONSTERS - EPISODE 2 (“Departure”) [Apple TV+]
The consequence of action can most times be compounded by secrets. Within a world that is permeated by "Godzilla" there can be many ways to subvert and alter society (especially when humans are dealing with disaster and a lack of stability). Money and power is there to be gained in this situation,in personal, in political and in military power. The second episode "Departure" of "Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters" takes more of a balanced concept of consequence by showing how the discovery of the monsters possibly began and then the aftermath of what is to come. Mari Yamamoto, who was introduced in a mid-flashback in Episode 1, is given a better perspective here (though her expertise is still a tad hazy) as she and Shaw [Wyatt Russell) are introduced to each other. They go into a forest in Southeast Asia to check certain radiation readings. They do stumble upon Bill (Anders Holm) who seems there as happenstance and simply curious but the reveal as the episode progresses shows much more.
The context and visuals do reference "Lost" and in a way, "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" in terms of ampiing up the mystery of what is being shown versus what it actually means. However, the question becomes how will these story threads pay off. They certainly have potential but they have to fit in the puzzle of the greater whole. Back in the present, there is the push of new Monarch information that has been unsealed. The chase is on but the question is what the danger is and what really is being protected. Like "Pacific Rim", there are ancillary motives but without really adequate understanding of why certain characters are so motivated (at least on the military/government side), it can come off a little empty. As the ending of the episode circles around, there is obviously another variable at play...and if he can bring a little bit of that old magic (which you see a tinge of), it might up the ante. The question becomes that with the team in tow is there enough stakes and drama to make the overall thrust of the story cool without losing too much edge. B
By Tim Wassberg
