First Wave: Comes a Horseman

Cade enters a research facility and discovers a dangerous viral outbreak that if left unchecked could wipe out everyone on Earth.

It's difficult to know how to rate this episode. With everyone going insane, seeing things and getting jumpy, it's impossible to determine who is the alien among them, but with only three possible choices, there's little tension in finding out. Then again, the alien eventually reveals himself for no apparent reason anyway, just so he can be shot.

While there are plenty of creepy images on offer here, it all seems to lead nowhere, with madness and suspicion running rampant and no one really doing anything. People are killed with little explanation (exactly how did the virus become airborne?), the antidote is easily found in the last few minutes, there's a strong ending with some self-sacrifice thrown in and some good make-up and special effects. Yes, there's plenty of atmosphere as the tension level mounts, but it all lacks a certain something. Eddie doesn't add a lot to proceedings and it just seems as though it was made before it was ready for the screen.

***

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