The Strain — Series 4: Episode 1 — The Worm Turns

14th November, 2017

Can I make a confession, here?

I’ve just finished work, got myself home: and had not a lot to eat.

I’ll survive.

Someone with this much blubber could possibly do with a better organised diet, frankly.

But the odd night with a quick sandwich … ?

Possibly can’t hurt.

Although I’m very aware that looks … faintly … ridiculous.

As a statement.

Hmmm … 

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

I am.

Frankly?

I’ve got an early start, tomorrow.

But given it’s finally hit iTunes … ?

I wanted to do one thing.

Catch up with an old friend.

Catch up with the first episode of Series 4 of … 

The Strain.

~≈§≈~

Some nine months after the event of The Fall, series four opens with Episode 1 — The Worm Turns — starts by show us a battered Earth: ravged by a nuclear winter.

AND by the free roaming Strigoi: who, in the dimmer light, are thriving, and who have set up a Fascist administration called the Partnership.

With humanity in very much the junior position.

Dr Ephraim ‘Eph’ Goodweather, (Corey Stoll)?   Is now in Philadelphia: bartering his medical skills on the streets in order to survive, and working with a resistance movement.

Quinlan, Fet and new character Charlotte —Rupert Penry-Jones, Kevin Durand and Rhona Mitra — are out in the wilds of the Northern US.

Hunting for any surviving nuclear warheads.

They’ve worked out the one way to wipe out the Strigoi is with another nuclear warhead: one aimed at the Master, himself, in his New York lair.

In the meantime?

The Master, (Jonathan Hyde) in his new body?

Is ever so slowly working on turning a new disciple around. 

That disciple?

Is Eph’s son, Zac … 

~≈§≈~

Now … ?

At one point, I had my doubts about The Strain.

I think that — in terms of horror TV shows? — there Are better series doing the rounds.

The much missed Penny Dreadful, American Horror Story, Stranger Things … 

But, on the other hand?

The Strain has taken it’s time to mature, I think.   I felt that Penny Dreadful Weakened slightly, in it’s last season.   That Stranger Things is a talented newcomer: the one season I’ve seen of Stranger Things is beautifully made and one of the most riveting things I’ve seen … 

But has a way to go, yet, I think.

American Horror Story?   I’ve just finished watching its fourth season, Freak Show, and found it to be at a magnetic and emotional peak.

Frankly?

And I’m aware it’s on the basis of just this one, first episode?

But I think the same could be said of series four of The Strain.

Let’s see what’s out there, shall we?