Episode 09 – The Stranger, Part 1 – Before Judgment Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

“After an infuriating meeting, The Stranger quits his job and tells his assistant that things are going change…that it’s all coming to an end.”

Character: The Stranger (Tim Halling)

Episode 09 is another strong installment, which develops further just how much people knew, or thought they knew, prior to The Day. It’s an episode rich with irony — much of what the Stranger says will come to pass — and his own character, when seen in the After Judgment episodes, has become radically different.

In this episode:

Is upset about something that happened at work
Quits his job, but promises to keep paying his assistant
Says, “someone is going to need to know what happened here.”
Says, “Something is going to change, I can feel it.”
Believes, “something wonderful” is going to happen
Goes on about getting his notes back
Says, “You can’t ignore it.”
Says that “True is what they make you believe.”
“True or not, it doesn’t change what I know … it’s all ending.”

The character of The Stranger certainly comes off as a bit arrogant and headstrong, but it’s a solid juxtaposition to what is seen later on. His discussion about “truth” is, in many ways, reminiscent of Jake Chambers in Stephen King’s Dark Tower book, The Wastelands. The notion that truth is what you believe — or are made to believe — is a powerful notion. The question is, then, is the world after The Day “the truth” — or just the “truth” that the survivors believe it to be?

Also notable in this installment is the song, “Breathing Water” (performed by Troy Cross). It’s a perfect fit, in terms of tone, mood and lyrics. You can listen to it here.

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Topics: Sci-Fi, Web Reviews
Filed under: After / Before Judgment