After the breathtaking revelation at the end of last week's episode, 'Swamp Thing' dives straight back into the fray, with Abby grappling to adapt to Alec's transformed visage. Their discussion delves into the enigmatic green and its capabilities, prompting Alec to enlighten Abby on the plants' illusionary power, tricking her eyes into seeing him revert to human form. Unwavering in her resolve to find a remedy, Abby embarks on a perilous journey to locate the decayed flora, despite Alec's fervent warnings.
Elsewhere, Avery and Maria's budding camaraderie is abruptly interrupted by Lucilia's arrival, who demands a private audience with Avery. She corners him behind a bookshelf, shielding him from Maria's gaze, and lambasts him for his pursuit of Matt. She reveals that Alec is still alive and coerces Avery into a reluctant alliance, sending them both into the murky depths of the swamp to thwart Holland's return to civilization.
Abby and Alec traverse the swamp hand in hand, surrounded by a vibrant explosion of blossoms. Here, he weaves tales of the swamp's mystique, unveiling the rot and decay caused by the town's pollutants and toxins, which have decimated much of the plant life. Despite Alec's warnings, Abby persists in collecting a sample, venturing deeper into the swamp's necrotic core. Tragically, she is ensnared by a sinuous tendril, slicing her wrist deeply.
They rush through the swamp, making their way back to Alec's laboratory. He summons the green essence, conjuring a flower that promises to purge Abby of the tendrils sprouting from her wound. However, as the darkness spreads, Abby's veins turn black and pulse ominously. In a last-ditch attempt to save her, Alec transforms back into Swampy, healing her wounds.
Meanwhile, Avery is betrayed in the swamp's depths, as Matt appears and clobbers him with the butt of his gun. As they navigate a boat through the murky waters, Avery regains consciousness and reveals to Matt that he is his father. Startled, Matt confronts his mother, allowing Avery to seize a concealed knife and plunge it into Matt's shoulder. Lucilia shoots him in the back and leg, sending him tumbling overboard. She grasps Matt and retreats to Avery's hideout, where Maria concludes a meeting with the Conclave Group, successfully securing funding.
Matt and Lucilia arrive shortly after, and Maria assists in patching up the wounded officer. It transpires that they had been working in tandem to eliminate Avery. As the final stitch is sewn, Maria insists they depart, cutting back to Swampy, who urges Abby to flee after curing her. A battle looms, and the darkness readies for war. Reluctantly, Abby departs, deciding to return to Atlanta with the serum to further investigate.
As the episode draws to a close, Avery crawls ashore, still alive. The promise of a final confrontation hangs heavy in the air, and 'Swamp Thing' delivers another stellar episode, deepening our characters' complexities while maintaining a captivating narrative. Watching Swampy transform back into Alec, complete with all its attendant complexities, is a poignant touch, and the romantic undercurrent that characterized the comics is equally strained here. Avery's return to the shore, albeit barely, is undoubtedly a harbinger of the impending war. While the series may not be inherently terrifying, it exudes sufficient horror elements and dark imagery to maintain a suitable atmosphere of suspense and tension throughout. 'Swamp Thing' seems poised for an explosive, climactic confrontation, and Avery's survival only portends ill tidings for our characters.
