‘Swamp Thing’ Season 1, Episode 9 ‘The Anatomy Lesson’ Review: Rescue

Swamp Thing reached a point his new life where he understands what the plant life says. With that, however, comes the responsibility of speaking up for them. The darkness in the swamp becomes more of a threat. Also, the Conclave presents another danger to Morais. As things go down, we see that sometimes, even the hero needs saving.

On Friday’s episode of Swamp Thing, Dr. Jason Woodrue (Kevin Durand) experiments on Alec Holland/Swamp Thing (Andy Bean/Derek Mears). Meanwhile, Phantom Stranger (Macon Blair) leads Daniel Cassidy (Ian Ziering) to fulfill his deal. Realizing that Alec is missing, Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed) and Liz Tremayne (Maria Sten) rescue Alec.

Under The Weather

Matt Cable (Henderson Wade) had quite a rough week. Since Lucilia Cable (Jennifer Beals) found out about his deal with Avery Sunderland (Will Patton) and covered for him, they had a falling out. Sure, he still worked in the police force, but he went as far as requesting a transfer of office. Now, he sat at Delroy Tremayne’s (Al Mitchell) bar, contemplating what to do next. He thought about his dad, too, whom Lucilia drove away because of her attachment to Avery. Perhaps in frustration, Matt drove home drunk, destination unknown. As expected, Matt ran straight into a tunnel divider, ramming the police car at full speed. The fool will probably wake up in the hospital in the next episode, singling out the possibility of him helping Abby.

Sunderland Love

Maria Sunderland (Virginia Madsen) made a deal with Lucilia. She decided that she had enough of Avery’s bullshit; all the lies and the shady transactions finally made her snap. Lucilia, on the other hand, had too many connections that tie her up to covering for Avery, so she needed him gone. For a while, everything seemed fine. They thought that Avery was dead, Maria managed to name all of their wealth to herself, and Lucilia freely worked as chief of police. When Avery returns with a psychiatrist and a court order to have Maria detained in an asylum, Maria could do nothing but curse him. Indeed, the Sunderlands are heartless. It was only a matter of time before that twisted couple turned on each other.

Mislead Crusade

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One of the reasons that Jason had for taking on the Morais project was because he needed a cure for his wife, Caroline Woodrue’s (Selena Anduze) Alzheimer’s. However, this did not seem to be the main reason. Throughout the project, Jason spent more time in the lab than with Caroline, who, without him noticing, slowly succumbed to her illness. Just as he finally made a breakthrough, Caroline lost it. Abby and Maria found her alone in their house, showing alarming signs of Alzheimer’s progress. By the time Jason got home to pack their things quickly, it was too late. Caroline overdosed on the medicine, the result of her being left unattended. It seems as if the specimen is of greater importance to Jason compared to his wife.

Playing the Part

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Daniel’s second hospitalization would not last long, and he knew it. As soon as Phantom Stranger shows up, Daniel groans at the thought of their previous deal. He did not think of Blue Devil as some mystical hero that existed, and yet there he was, deciding to play the part well. Phantom Stranger’s revelation of a possible future surely scared the living daylights out of Daniel, hence the quick decision to keep Abby and Liz from dying. When the time finally came for Daniel’s entrance, he did so in full Blue Devil glory. The hired men had no chance of surviving intense blue flames from Blue Devil. When the nightmare was finally over, Daniel found himself on the floor, naked, surrounded by Blue Devil’s victims. It looks like Swamp Thing has himself an unexpected partner.

The Rescuers

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At first, Abby was reluctant to ask Liz for help. Her close friend and colleague, Harlan Edwards (Leonardo Nam), suddenly disappeared into thin air after he told him about Swamp Thing’s condition. Now, after Conclave member Nathan Ellery (Michael Beach), asked her about Alec, Abby felt unsure of dragging someone she cares about into the mix. However, Liz insisted that she is willing to help her, since Abby was always there for her, too. The trip to where the Woodrues stayed at gave them essential information in tracking Swamp Thing down. After a few clicks, they quickly determined where he was: one of the Sunderlands’ properties, an old cement factory.

Blue Devil’s timely arrival saved them from the armed men who could have killed them. Once there, they find a mobile laboratory that presumably contained Alec. They were right. Liz was left astonished as she looked at the dying Alec on the study table, his chest ripped open, and the lighting kept him from regenerating. Once he was able to walk, Alec decided to head back to the swamp. He needed to know if Jason’s statement about him was true. At that point, Abby and Liz had to separate since Abby followed Alec into the swamp. Liz, on the other hand, wished to figure out the blue entity’s identity.

Alec barely said a word to Abby once they reached the swamp. They went straight to where Alec ‘died.’ A few moments later, he emerged out of the swamp, holding Alec Holland’s body. Alec Holland is dead. He, on the other hand, was there, with all of Alec Holland’s memories. Jason Woodrue was right.

‘Swamp Thing’ Season 1, Episode 9 ‘The Anatomy Lesson’ Final Verdict

Swamp Thing approaches its end with some stories concluding, some beginning. As Avery rose to power; Jason lost Caroline to Alzheimer’s. Matt went on a downward spiral, Daniel turned into Blue Devil, and Alec, well, is not entirely Alec. On top of all those things, the darkness in Morais continues to endanger everyone living there. Either way, the season finale seals their fate.

Swamp Thing continues Friday, August 2 at the DC Streaming Service.