THE STRAIN — “Dead End” — Episode 211 (Airs September 20, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: Ruta Gedmintas as Dutch Velders. CR: Michael Gibson/FX
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
You may have noticed that FX really pulled back on the number of promotional photos released for this Sunday’s episode. I can’t be sure the reason but my guess is to avoid spoilers at all cost. While this episode may not be the best of the season, it definitely is the most shocking thus far, and so, there is very little you can say without giving something major away.
That being said, this Advance Preview is also going to be pretty slim and vague, especially in terms of the Dutch and Eichhorst kidnapping arc. However, the one thing I can tell you from the start is to take the below Promo with a grain of salt. Most of the sneak peek is one big red herring, with some of the scenes not even in Sunday’s episode. For example, there is no fiery explosion, Eph doesn’t fall to the ground and shoot at anybody. I haven’t screened the finale, of course, and so, I can’t be absolutely sure, but my best guess is these scenes are from the finale.
What’s more, the entire Dutch/Eichhorst story line and Eichhorst’s reasons for the kidnapping are **not** what fans will expect. Trust me on this one. Again, no big spoilers, but let me see if I can shoot down some of the more popular theories. Eichhorst did not take Dutch all the way out to the Mayfield Hotel just to drink her, nor is his intent to just torment her til she pisses her pants with his ultimate goal to drink her anyways. What’s more, Dutch isn’t there to be tortured for intel on the location of Zack (which, BTW, was MY theory). And, she’s not there on behalf of Eldritch Palmer so that he can finally do what Mr. Fitzwilliams was supposed to do in the first place. Oh, and I certainly don’t think Eichhorst is planning a fun afternoon of reenacting Buffalo Bill scenes from Silence of the Lambs. So, exactly what does Eichhorst want with this girl then? Feel free to rack your brains until Sunday, but I can’t imagine anyone being able to guess this one.
THE STRAIN — “Dead End” — Episode 211 (Airs September 20, 10:00 pm e/p) Pictured: (l-r) Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, Ruta Gedmintas as Dutch Velders. CR: Michael Gibson/FX
And, what’s that on the plate? Sliced pineapple. Yum. Go ahead, Dutch, have some! And, don’t mind all that splattered blood!
In the meantime, Gus makes some critical decisions, albeit painful, about his future. He decides to take Quinlan’s advice and stay behind to fight after leading Aanya and her parents across the patrolled checkpoint to safety. And, now for the $1 million dollar question — is Quinlan in this week’s episode? Short answer — no. Yes, I know, I’m pretty disappointed too. Sigh. However, as a consolation, Q is mentioned if only briefly, and his hot, black, female driver is back and makes a pretty grand entrance. And, actually one of the best quotes of the episode can be credited to a little exchange this gal has with Gus when he introduces her to the 1st member of his strigoi-hunting team:
Who in the heck is this?
This is the Silver Angel — Gus
Then, they all get into her car and off to Quinlan’s batcave, I assume.
The last detail I want to mention is Jamie Hector is back as Alonso Creem, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. We’ve seen this character only briefly this season, but with his role in the quest for the Occido Lumen revealed in Sunday’s episode, I have a feeling we may be seeing a lot more of the guy in the final 2 episodes.
Episode 2.11 of The Strain is titled “Dead End” and airs Sunday at 10/9c on FX.
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