If, much like myself, you've harbored a tepid sentiment towards Watchmen hitherto, Episode 3 might just be the pivotal point that shifts your perspective. Boasting an intriguing narrative framework, punctuated by solo phone conversations with Dr. Manhattan, and the enchanting entrance of Laurie Blake, the series finally embarks on a captivating journey in the right trajectory.
The episode kicks off with Agent Blake herself, her voice rich with narrative intrigue, painting the backdrop as a bank robbery unfolds. Amidst the chaos, a masked hero emerges, only to be revealed as a pawn in a meticulously orchestrated trap, designed to apprehend him. Despite his fleeting escape, a bullet to the back halts his stride, and as Blake scrutinizes him with contempt, she retreats to her abode, where another agent arrives, heaping accolades upon her for apprehending the enigmatic Revenger. Yet, this encounter also bears a mission, the revelation of a Chief, deceased and dangling from a tree, igniting her curiosity.
Her role as an anti-vigilante officer piques her interest even further, and she's swiftly briefed on the perplexing scenario, the mention of a Rorschach diary entry tantalizingly dangling clues, much to the chagrin of the lead investigator. As their discussion delves into Judd, Blake impulsively selects a random agent to accompany her to the crime scene, a journey fraught with uncertainty.
Upon reaching the station, Blake confronts a chaotic spectacle of potential Seventh Cavalry members under interrogation, her gaze eventually settling on the pod where Looking Glass awaits. Peeling back his eerie veneer, she dissects his abilities with a razor-sharp wit, the balance of power subtly tilting in her favor. Reluctantly, he concedes that Sister Knight is none other than Angela, and at that very moment, she finds herself at Judd's funeral, the stage set for a new chapter in this intricate narrative.
As the police verified Blake's identity, she ventured forth to Judd's funeral, where Angela stood solemn, paying her heartfelt tributes. Without hesitation, Blake proffered her card, just as Angela ascended to deliver her eulogy, her voice laced with reverence for Judd. Yet, the solemnity was shattered by the arrival of a rogue Seventh Cavalry member, a bomb strapped to his chest, demanding the presence of the Senator. Swiftly, Blake seized the moment, dispatching him with a precise shot to the head. Angela, without pause, dragged the fallen figure to Judd's grave, using the coffin as a makeshift lid, hoping to contain the impending explosion. As the bomb detonated, fragments of the flag and the remains scattered, while Blake and Angela's eyes met, locked in a moment of shared intensity.
Elsewhere, Ozymandias toiled over his suit of armor, only to find his experiment a dismal failure. Frustrated, he ventured out, seeking something with a "tougher hide," revealing that he was, in fact, a captive of the game warden. Penning a letter back to his captor, he donned his superhero regalia, steeling himself for another hunt.
Returning to the graveyard, Blake confronted Angela, their discussion veering towards the Seventh Cavalry's infiltration. Angela disclosed Judd's hidden compartment, and as the air thickened with tension, she confessed her doubts about Blake. Following this, Blake retreated to the phone booth for one final quip, ending on a jest that dared to drop a brick on the divine. Emerging from the booth, unfazed and convinced of Dr. Manhattan's indifference, she was met with a surreal sight—a car plummeting from the sky. Gazing upwards, she spotted a lone light piercing the heavens and let out a chuckle, mocking the cosmos.
Structurally, this recent episode of Watchmen masterfully maintained a relentless pace and a satirical edge that never faltered. Blake, undeniably, stole the spotlight, her unwavering determination serving as a stark contrast to the other, weary heroes encountered thus far. Her actions stirred up quite a storm, and the weariness etched on her companions' faces throughout the episode only served to underscore her formidable power.
With a cliffhanger that left mouths agape and countless questions dangling, Watchmen appears poised to unleash a wave of action and pivotal plot twists in the coming weeks. The future glistens brightly for this eagerly anticipated superhero series, but whether it can harness this momentum and forge a solid foundation remains an intriguing question yet to be answered.
