Max discovers that the missing Manticore soldiers are being tricked into giving themselves up to Project agents, only to be gunned down. Seeking to save her remaining brothers and sisters, Max sets off to terminate Manticore's operation and send her comrades out into the world.
I love this. The idea of scores of Manticore escapees running around the forests playing war games with each other is fascinating, and I can't wait to see what happens when they finally reach a big city. The new Manticore guy, White, seems an interesting character, and it's good to see Alec again, who's a fun character to have around. The new arrival X5s, 6s and 7s are a cool bunch of kids and provide more of an insight into what training Manticore puts into their heads and how they have to learn to think for themselves. Their age difference provides a good contrast as we see that even the youngest X-series have the ability to kill without mercy or hesitation. On top of this, Lydecker sneaks by and manages to find Max's secret, but we're still none the wiser, hopefully something that will be rectified as the season continues.
With some great fight scenes and Jessica Alba really making her presence felt as a military commander, there's a lot to enjoy in this episode. The only real irritant is the ongoing playing down of the part Original Cindy, Sketchy and Normal play in proceedings. They're even more superfluous than last season and it just isn't fair. And with a bunch of potential recurring characters out there in the shape of the other Manticore escapees, it looks like they might continue to get sidelined, which is a real shame and a waste.
****
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