‘Watchmen’ Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship’ Review

The world of Watchmen is complicated. A series of other phenomena that we usually consider strange frequently happen here. When the murder of the Police Chief shocks the force, everyone is out for payback. One’s discovery of a man who claims responsibility for the killing rattles her to her core. Meanwhile, the widow, as well as the rest of the Police Force, mourn their loss in differing ways. On top of all this, another mystery unfolds in the end.

On Sunday’s episode of Watchmen, Angela Abar/Sister Knight (Regina King) remembers her White Night experience in the wake of Judd Crawford’s (Don Johnson) death. Meanwhile, Jane Crawford (Frances Fisher) mourns her loss. As the police, led by Red Scare (Andrew Howard), look for a release of anger, Angela interrogates Will Reeves (Louis Gossett Jr.).

Out for Blood

HBO

One of the most exciting parts in the episode is when Tulsa Police, led by Red Scare, storm an area named Nixonville. A notably massive number of white people occupy the space, and Red quickly brands them as racists. These people did not seem to budge either: they choose to arm themselves against the impending wave of arresting police officers. Looking Glass/Wade (Tim Blake Nelson) and Sister Knight refuse to take part in the arrests, however, until a man attacks them. Angela ends up beating a man until he lost consciousness before she stormed back into her car.

At this point, it seems that the only people in Tulsa’s Police Force that have a sense of justice are Wade and Angela. Red Scare completely lost it when he arrived at the scene, and two photographers coming via Mothman-style wings made him snap. We may as well expect more violence in the coming episodes as everyone seems hell-bent on avenging Judd. Wade and Angela do not look keen on stopping their fellow officers from heading out on rampages, either.

Clones and Plays

Colin Hutton/HBO

Veidt is into some weird shit. Everything he does in his suspiciously quiet castle is strange. We finally have confirmation that Mr. Phillips (Tom Mison), and Ms. Crookshanks (Sara Vickers) are dimwit clones. Also, Veidt has them along with their other copies, perform the origin story of Dr. Manhattan for him. Whatever Veidt has in mind for all the time at his disposal remains unknown. He does seem like he lives life in a semi-repetitive cycle at a Westworld type of place.

The surreal world in which Veidt resides in seems to be his playground. He has clones at his disposal, resources he can tap for experiments, and food that grows on trees (like a tomato tree what the fuck). It is, however, a mystery where Veidt is. He could be in a virtual world or an island for all we know. Still, one cannot deny that Veidt is plotting something. He is not merely living his glory days, but rather, running dry runs of a plan, he wishes to execute soon.

Hoods

HBO

The episode includes a preview of the in-universe show, American Hero Story. In the previous chapter, marketing for the show is everywhere. This time around, we have a glimpse of the show, which is somewhat reminiscent of the 2009 film. The hero, Hooded Justice, gets the comic origin story before he crashes into a convenience store and stops robbers violently, the way the movie presented them. The only main difference was that the show here used surprisingly vibrant colors. Other than that, it screamed Zack Snyder.

Hooded Justice is not the only masked figure that made an appearance in this episode. In the wake of Judd’s death, Jane invites people over to their place to remember him. Angela arrives to pay respects to her fallen friend, but she also does a little digging. Inside Judd’s closet, Angela finds a literal skeleton: A Ku Klux Klan costume with a Sheriff’s Badge. It is unclear whether or not this belonged to Judd or his father (seen in a photograph next to a young Judd). The costume is quite old, but there is no way of telling how old it is. It could be a grim reminder of the past or a secret kept hidden in the most obvious place.

Friends in High Places

HBO

Will Reeves is increasingly becoming the most mysterious character in the show. Angela’s restraints rendered useless to the man who manages to break free of handcuffs and buy eggs in a nearby grocery. Will even goes back in the bakery to wait for Angela, reasoning that they are not done talking yet. He speaks cryptically, too. Often using metaphors and avoiding a straight answer gave Will satisfaction. Also, he exhibits superhuman feats. That 105-year-old man went to get a boiling egg with his hands like that is a regular thing. There is something strange about the guy, and the last scene makes everyone question Will’s existence even more. A magnet from the sky took Will (and Angela’s car) away to somewhere we cannot follow.

What we do know for sure is that Will has a relation to German Ideology. The note that his father gave him turns out to be German propaganda from World War I, something his father picked up while he was in service. At this point, it does seem quite likely that Will is Hooded Justice, now that we have this information to support that claim.

‘Watchmen’ Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship’ Final Verdict

This episode of Watchmen follows a coherent plot this time compared to the previous one. Also, it is rich with callouts and easter eggs about the source material, so that is likely going to be a trend in the coming episodes. With the cops going borderline unhinged and the frustration Angela experiences, one can tell that something more than bloodshed will rain in this universe.

Watchmen continues Sunday, November 3rd, with ‘She Was Killed by Space Junk’ at 9/8c on HBO.