Dominion, Season 2, Episode 13: Sine Deo Nihil

Alex is about to get his Chosen One Stripes – facing a huge influx of 8 Balls and dwindling ammunition, he strides forwards with bared arms and chants the exorcism – as his marks glow he explodes with energy and drops all the 8 Balls, though doing so exhausts him. The former 8 Balls stand up – all free from possession. He orders the newly released confused 8 Balls to get to safety

Claire states the obvious – special chosen one ness

But Vega is under attack by the 8 balls who got through the open gates because of William Wheele. Claire tells them all that she left David Wheele in the control room and gets the surprised look she so richly deserves. Luckily for her, her dad arrives in a chain of armoured cars so now Alex has to explain that her dad is now a Diad angel controlled by Duma who is loyal to Gabriel rather than questioning her decision making on trusting David

This also means that Gabriel’s forces know everything David does – he then goes on city-wide TV to demand that Alex be delivered to him.

In the control room Arika joins David and he tells her what William did. They discuss guilt and killing and Arika’s creepy yet quite deep belief that everyone you kill is now a part of you that you have to carry with you, to both comfort David and encourage him to move. Arika also wants to save Claire.

They meet with Alex and Claire (who are arguing over who is more important and who should be sacrificed for who). After the brief snarling, Alex tells Claire to run with Arika to safety in Helena; after protests she agrees while he describes how much she means to him (with Noma right there, gaaaah).

So when Alex and Noma go on, they have a discussion about how much Alex loves Claire – but he also says how much he loves Noma. Good, can we please have more showing of this? Alex goes on while Noma holds off the people following them.

Claire decides to give herself up so she can be taken to her father to save oh-so-special Alex. She is taken to Duma who uses her father’s memories to promptly disarm her and destroy her plan of stabbing him. Oops.

Claire appeals to her dad to fight against Duma, bringing him to the fore so they can have a tearful reunion (now would be a great time to do the stabbing thing though wouldn’t that need Empyrean steel?). When Alex finally confronts Duma, he is back in control and holding Claire hostage, forcing Alex to disarm.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 12: Day of Wrath

Michael puts on his best sad face while looking over the ruin of Vega after the amphora – when Gabriel tackles him. Michael is surprised his evil brother did something evil – but then sees the darkness in Gabriel’s eyes after Julian dropped amphora-ness inside them (see, decent health and safety laws would have mandated an “avoid contact with eyes” label on those amphora).

Alex tries to assure Gabriel that it’s black magic affecting him and they’re totally best buddies honest (except the war and abandoning him in New Delphi etc etc). Reason vs dark magic never goes well so the two archangels fight while yelling their family issues at each other.

This calls for a flashback to 2016 in Texas with Michael and Gabriel in a bar discussing their then newly disappeared daddy with Noma watching. Gabriel is especially bitter since Michael got his markings, Uriel got something… and he got the 7^th seal. The seal of the apocalypse – which he wants to use to destroy humanity. He assumes, not entirely unreasonably, that god must want humanity to be wiped out, despite Michael clinging to Raphael’s prophecy of a chosen one – though Gabriel thinks Raphael has a poor record with prophecies. He breaks the seal – and the apocalypse invasion of 8 Balls begins, causing mass death and destruction.

Gabriel appeals to Michael to help him, but Michael angrily rejects him (leaving Gabriel looking lost) and goes looking for the Chosen One. Noma, surprisingly, follows Gabriel and his plan to kill Alex to bring Michael back to Gabriel’s side.

Back in the present, Michael and Gabriel continue to fight and debate – Michael deciding giving Gabriel the 7^th seal was actually a test (I don’t buy it, nor does Gabriel). Gabriel wins the fight and keeps beating Michael to whine about his brother abandoning him and leaving him to run the apocalypse on his own (his need to rant stops him killing Michael quickly). But Michael blames someone else for breaking their father – Lucifer (who chose humanity long before Michael did). He tells Gabriel that Lucifer is still alive – which is apparently news, since the other 4 Archangels supposedly killed him.

Since Lucifer is more powerful than either of them, Michael appeals to Gabriel that he needs him. Gabriel agrees – but he doesn’t believe Michael, so he’s going to drag him to Mallory to confirm it for himself.

Noma and Alex are looking or Claire in the devastated Vega, though Noma is still reeling from the renewed loss of her wings.

Claire’s arm is injured but she isn’t dead, she wakes up surrounded by corpses and a very broken Arika. Arika tells Claire what happened to her in her vision – everything they did to Rose being done to her. Claire tells Arika about her own broken dream. Arika begs Claire to trust her and together they go looking for Alex.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 11: Bewilderment of the Heart

Gabriel just unleashed the Amphora of darkness against Vega. This is a bad thing, going by the inky clouds and ominously dying flowers.

In Claire’s command room everything goes berserk, people fight, people shoot each other – and repeatedly themselves and there are explosions everywhere. Only major characters are immune due to powerful amounts of plot armour. Claire, Alex, Noma and Michael

Though Claire does hear a baby cry and goes to find her hallucination kid because while menfolk go berserk, women see babies. Of course they do. She has an idyllic hallucination of her, her baby, Alex (hah, bye Gates, you’re forgotten).

Michael helpfully expositions what the cloud does – it makes you hallucinate (brings out the darkness inside you) so you will harm yourself or others. It also kills flowers. I rather think it could just kill people like it does plants and be a lot neater, this whole hallucination thing is just a nasty little extra sadism. Angels are resistant and Alex is just special. Actually Michael thinks he’s so pure he just has no darkness inside him. He’s the last pure heart

Really?!

The whole of Vega is in chaos while they look for the amphora to shut it up again – something only an angel can do. Except unlike the super special one they’re only resistant, not immune and Nora is already starting to see dark hallucination-ness. Because even though she has shown epic self-sacrifice, she is still not the purest of them all. She doesn’t tell Alex she’s hallucinating but does convince him they need to split up – or say she does but Alex follows her anyway.

And Michael starts his own hallucinations (Nora killing Alex) because even an archangel succumbs before pure Alex.

Meanwhile David is being led to his execution, begging all the way to the noose. Only for a stay of execution to be granted at the last minute. Baaaaad idea. There’s only one person who can match David and that’s Arika. But he’s been rescued by… an angel possessed version of himself? Ok more black cloud hallucinations I assume. Anyway, Most-evil-David wants to make Evil-David admit he’s a monster (he has a very convincing argument).

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 10: House of Sacrifice

Michael has fainted and now has been transported to Mallory in local garb. In the church he is greeted by The Prophet. The Prophet talks about order, rules and solitaire (and virtually paints a neon sign saying “hey, I’m god!”. Prophet isn’t all that pleased by Michael derailing his human sacrifice rules – and now wants Michael dead because he did swear to sacrifice himself and all. He has a dagger of empyrean steel for Michael to do the deed

But Michael is more concerned that The Prophet saved Noma in the Wasteland and, more importantly, is interested in Alex. He grabs the Prophet who chides him for being violent “in his father’s house” but Michael objects to the idea that this is God’s house because human sacrifice is too old school, god doesn’t do that any more. He is sure that The Prophet is getting his power from somewhere other than god

Either way, The Prophet has a simple demand – either Michael dies or the Mallory fire goes out and everyone there dies.

Michael decides to play a game for his life – and The Prophet agrees. They play poker while they talk about Alex – the prophecy of which says he can be a healer OR destroyer. Michael, of course, believes healer. The Prophet almost wins and offers Michael the chance to be spared but doom Mallory. But Michael continues to play because he “has faith” he belongs with the Chosen One. He wins the match.

The Prophet pulls some golden light out of Michael – and says it’s not over until Michael brings the Prophet to him.

His body is actually comatose in Vega much to Noma and Alex’s shock (wait… is Michael wearing a fishnet shirt? I do admire an archangel who has a thing for sexy fetishwear).

Claire and her council are all kind of worried because them completely ignoring the civil war last episode has led to David and his rebel minions taking the nuclear reactor. Gates and Alex cross antlers of course because WOMAN. They both demand Claire support their plans – and Claire sides with Gates because his idea (not having a firefight in a nuclear reactor) is better than Alex’s (boomy booomy ooooh shiny!)

Gates sets up a contact with a guy called Ramirez, a V2, ex-Archangel corps and part of David’s rebellion. Him being Archangel corps also gives Alex an excuse to take over negotiations. In the plant an alarm goes off indicating the plant is going to go boom in 2 hours. Alex tries to appeal to Ramirez but he’s quite happy to blow it all up to change the smoking crater that will be left in the aftermath. That means Gates has to go to the reactor to stop them all dying and Alex, of course, decides to take him.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 9: The Seed of Evil

David is all confused because Claire has sent in the full army to crush the resistance, they’ve lost the armoury, they’ve lost the agri towers. In desperation, David calls on them to rise up and use the one advantage they have left – overwhelming numbers. The V1s are a huge underclass compared to the V6s and can overwhelm their attackers with numbers. He’s also trying to escape because Arika give shim up because he knows she most certainly will do so. Because he would as well

Am I the only one who thinks David and Arika working together would be a) awesome and b) terrifying?

David tries to rally as many soldiers as he can – and it’s clear he’s not that popular among all the V1s either. He tries to find some civilians to hide among as human shields. A building full of people – all listening to the newly returned William Wheele sermonising about being the chosen one. This confuses David for a moment who thinks his hallucinations are acting up

He pushes to the front and reconcile with his son who has a full blown Jesus complex. Literally. While David is just stunned and grateful and apologetic.

Back to Michael Alex and Noma still travelling, endlessly, towards Vega. They’re being attacked by 8 ball suicide bombers from Julian’s army – Noma and Michael speculate they’ve been offered angel bodies to come back in (which Noma considers impossible but an easy lie). They find that Julian’s huge army of 8 Balls is already preparing around Vega. Most of them are in stasis, but Alex’s clumsiness wakes them up – they fight clear but now Michael suddenly collapses and they have to carry him as all the 8 Balls wake up

In Vega, Arika does just that, telling Claire she knows where David is. They talk about Zoe who Claire shot last episode – who Arika says is just like Claire, an idealist, and both of them should have killed David long ago. She tells them that it was David who arranged the sniper who shot Claire (Did I miss something? Didn’t they figure this out 2 episodes ago? Have they just realised none of this makes sense if Claire realises David was the one behind the sniper so retconned in some ignorance?). Of course this makes Claire all sad and guilty

She also asks why Arika betrayed her and her answer is simple – for Helena. And she’s not impressed that Claire is just far too sympathetic and nice unlike her and Riesen: they’re “fierce pragmatists”. This also compares to Arika’s father who was, apparently, also all sympathetic.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 8: The Longest Mile Home

Alex and Noma are all ready to face off against 8 Balls when Michael arrives scaring them off. After a brief check to see if Noma is dying (she isn’t) he lays out the situation – Gabriel is alive (which he presents as a good thing) and Julian is about to invade Vega for spare bodies.

They walk off and return to the place where the random guy last episode nuked a lot of 8 balls to save Noma and Alex – Michael remembers it as being a similar affect to what the town of Mallory did to approaching 8 Balls.

Michael does talk to Noma about her epic sacrifice, but it’s only a brief reference towards further helping Alex. She also tells him about the man who could burn 8 Balls who told her to bring Alex east.

Devious David and devious Arika communicate by radio – Arika isn’t happy; though they both want the war to keep going she wanted the negotiations to go ahead without the sniper messing things up. David is happy for the war to keep flaring and they end on a decidedly uncooperative note.

Except seems to catch David talking – and Gates is listening in on the conversation as well.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 7: Lay Thee Before Kings

Michael and Gabriel are now both imprisoned by Julian (which pretty much means their whole trip to New Delphi has been wasted) and are subjected to Julian’s lecture about how humanity has mastered the art of hatred. And the torture of a longwinded villainous recap.

At least Gabriel and Michael do snark the villainous monologue.

Anyway he plans to torture Michael and Gabriel with electricity – apparently electricity is a weakness for angels. To not be killed they have to take it in turns being electrocuted. I’m sure I’ve seen a game show that followed roughly the same premise.

They take turns holding the sparky pole while they consider Lire/Julian’s plans to steal their bodies. They also talk about their immense daddy issues and Gabriel’s belief that this is all Alex’s fault who is, depending on the Archangel, either terribad awful or the chosen one. In case we didn’t get it, Michael outright compares Alex to another special child that Gabriel apparently once looked over

Which means we now get holy land flashbacks when Gabriel was apparently a man looking after a child – the child isn’t (to my surprise) Jesus, but David. He’s dragged to war and fights Goliath. I don’t need to tell you how this story ends (though this one has Michael providing David with a specially selected presumably angelically approved rock – one that goes right through the man’s head like a sniper’s bullet

This causes the other army to flee... Ok the whole going right through and man’s head is creepy, but slings were often by classical armies – them killing someone shouldn’t be shocking.

David was then killed by King Saul and replaced by an imposter that the king could control. In doing so we see the beginnings of Gabriel’s hatred of humanity. Later Gabriel decides to kill his son’s imposter once he’s grown up – him and all his kids and grandkids. Because justice, I guess?

In the present Gabriel now decides he wants Alex to be able to protect his own chosen child as he couldn’t protect his own (hey it would have been nice if you’d remembered this BEFORE destroying the entire world) and sacrifices himself to have Michael (again, would have been nice before causing the apocalypse)

Despite sacrificing himself, Gabriel doesn’t die, he’s just left all weak and helpless for Julian to torment some more.

Julian tries to get David Riesen to give up the location of the Amphora which is still missing. David also tells Julian all about Clementine, his wife/8-Ball who possessed his wife. So, of course, Julian brings the angel who possessed Clementine. Or an angel claiming to be anyway.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 6: Reap of the Whirlwind

In the aftermath of David’s bombing there’s a lot of burning and screaming and despairing all done with lots of drama. Claire despairs

Zoe is pissed that David picked his own target but David points out he split the city in two and gave her the half with the food production. She’s outraged about the amount of destruction and death he caused. When she pulls a gun on him he again tempts her with his advice and expertise. He promises to make her a true leader and Jasper is already on side.

David’s plan is to make a broadcast to the city before Claire can (because his bomb took out Claire’s radio tower). He’s even written her a speech – and he is damn good at speeches.

While they hand out food to the desperate V1s, David reassures the constantly invisible and ignored Zoe. She begins her speech – but quickly goes off message, ignoring David’s words and speaking from the heart as a V1 to V1s.

Jasper is still bleeding to death though, very very very slowly. Eventually he loses consciousness and dies – and David tries to empathise by talking about how Claire killed his son (somewhat revisionist history) and how it continues to hurt – but also leaves both of them with nothing to lose.

Claire et al are doing what they can to fix things – the whole trench was actually part of Vega’s design, Gates put it there so they could detonate it if Vega was falling to angels. Arika wants Claire to strike now, especially with the food supplies on the other side – but Claire doesn’t want to turn this into an outright civil war – nor to be fighting her own people when Gabriel attacks.

Claire remarks that city is being torn apart. Gates archly points out the city was always torn apart thanks to the V system her dad created. She also considers whether she should be more ruthless as her father would have been though Gates is totally against her becoming a ruthless killer and how he’s totally inspired by her

Arika brings some reality to the “go Claire” party and opens the windows so they can hear Zoe’s speech. Gates sees only one solution – him sneaking to the other side to cut off Zoe’s broadcast and play Claire’s own. Claire decides this is far too risky and forbids him. Of course he does it anyway, forcing her to get on side.

A member of the rebellion approaches David with a radio – on the other side is Arika. Oh you’ve got to love how good she is at the crafty plotting. He’s affronted that she has her tentacles in “his” rebellion but she chuckles because she was in waaaaay before David, having read the writing on the wall long ago. She tells him about Gates and how he needs to stop him – but not kill him.  Because the war helps them both, apparently

So Zoe sends out soldiers and Gates has to play cat and mouse guided by Claire. Alas, Zoe’s soldiers aren’t all that smart and outright shout about looking for Gates – which proves there’s a leak in Claire’s camp.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 5: Son of the Fallen

New Delphi is under attack from Angels (Michael and Gabriel among them) while Julian, again, tries to get Alex to join his Archangel killing side. He wants his amphora back – something General Riesen, Alex and Noma are not mad fans of. Alex also has a trump card – he’s quite willing to use the amphora right now, wipe out the city AND Gabriel at the same time (yes, including himself).

Julian cracks and shows them his secret lab where he thinks he can trap and study Gabriel to see how to kill him – since no-one has killed an archangel before (these guys don’t know about Uriel. But it does amuse me that they consider killing an Archangel to be some arcane process when apparently “explosions” is the answer).

Nome and Alex go to see, Alex kissing a doubting Noma first. They enter the city, filled with bodies and Alex runs into Michael. It comes with a flashback of when Alex was a desperate V1 orphan (lowest class of Vega’s vicious class system) and Michael saved him. This is all to add poignancy to Michael and Alex’s reunion.

Michael invites Alex to come with him and Gabriel because Julian, a Diad, is far too dangerous. Alex is unsurprisingly unthrilled to learn that Michael and Gabriel are working together. It isn’t exactly a good sales pitch “Julian is dangerous so you must trust the man who tried to wipe out humanity”

Riesen is left to guard Julian who has a tempting offer for the old general – become a Diad and he will stop aging, stop dying (Riesen is dying of heart disease). Riesen doesn’t want to play flesh-room-mate with an angel. Noma returns to find Riesen on the ground and Julian free – either Julian beat the human or Riesen accepted the deal

Julian goes to Alex to try and convince him Michael isn’t his friend - and that Michael could have ended the war at any time by just killing Gabriel. The brotherhood between the Archangels is just too big for them to turn against each other. He wants Alex to lead Michael into a trap so they can kill Gabriel. Alex decides to threaten to kill Julian which won’t actually achieve anything.

Michael and Gabriel are already at odds – they know Julian is a Diad and Gabriel puts the city in lockdown, trapping all the humans within.  This rather annoys Michael since he wants to get Alex out, while Gabriel just wants to kill everyone especially since he considers the city a threat. Michael stabs him. That’s one way to end an argument. Injured, Gabriel can’t walk or fight – only fly away, leaving Michael to do his thing.

After another flashback of Michael being all parental to Alex as a little boy which makes it all sadder when Alex lures Michael into a trap. Michael is trapped under a net with Alex being all “sad but I have to” until Noma arrives and she is Not Amused and takes down a couple of guards. He tells her his plan and how he has to trust Julian even though she’s very doubtful of the whole thing.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 4: A Bitter Truth

Noma is tied to a chair and terrified of a big spectral head. Bad CGI scares me too Nora

Did I mention how much I hate this whole “show the middle of an episode then flash back to the beginning” prologue nonsense? Because I really do loathe it – and we’re now going back 5 hours earlier.

In New Delphi, Julian (Lire) tries to sell Alex the idea of humans and angels collaborating – especially since even if they kill Gabriel, the gazillion low level angels on Earth are too many to kill. Perhaps, surprisingly, Noma is the one to object to leaving 8 Balls in the bodies they stole. Alex is more concerned with taking down Gabriel no matter what and he’s not happy that Julian is ready to protect his city rather than go on a crusade against the angels that have destroyed the planet. Alex also suspects Julian has no intention of forming an alliance with Vega and is lying.

They brainstorm why Julian would lie with Pete adding nothing useful because he’s so far out of his depth (with an added problem that no-one can know about the Exorcism Hug since a city full of 8 Balls may find that problematic). Riesen is also clear that New Delphi is definitely strong – much much more powerful than Vega ever was so they do have an army to offer.

To let Alex snoop, Riesen arranges to speak to Julian, city leader to city leader. Alex and Noma go snooping despite Noma’s very bad feeling and they find a huge warehouse full of a gazillion frozen people – armed people standing still holding weapons.

When Alex and Noma return to Riesen Julian tells them about his army – 8 Balls in stasis. But while they were snooping, Julian took Pete.

He takes them to Pete and describes New Delphi’s history – how a pack of 8 Balls saved the humans from a higher angel which began the collaboration. By capturing  higher angel, they also learned something else – how to help lower angels who WEREN’T powerful enough to possess humans to find a body. He shows off his ancient amphora and uses it to have a lower angel possess Peter. Again, I guess. He intends to use it on Noma and Alex. I suspect this will not work.

Noma is put in the chair next for an angel to possess. Except lower angels certainly cannot possess higher ones – she breaks free and gets out her wings. She and Alex grab the amphora and run. But Alex hasn’t given up with an alliance though

Julian goes back to Riesen who is a) not particularly impressed that Noma is an angel since New Delphi is full of angels and b) wouldn’t inform on his soldiers anyway. Riesen gives some unhelpful advice.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 3: The Narrow Gate

I think this show has made a similar mistake to Under the Dome with it’s opening – and given us a strict time scale. This apocalyptic war with the angels started 25 years ago – 25 years ago? The culture has changed ridiculously quickly for that tiny amount of time. 25 years – a goodly portion of the population can easily remember the time before the war!

Anyway back to the plot, Alex has to prove himself to Julian by wandering into a room full of furious 8 Balls and get a shiny – after some exposition as to why some possessing angels can’t take it and become frothing feral beasts – hence the feral beast cage. Except one of them has his key. They key for things Julian deigns not to explain. Of course Alex decides to do it – and to go in alone.

He also wants Julian to tell Vega that Gabriel is still alive and their whole bombing thing failed epicly.

Alex goes into the very ominous dark tunnels fighting desperately against 8 balls in the dark until he is rescued by 2 men – one of them a man called Eli and the other General Riesen who goes by Sam now. Well that was unexpected. He was imprisoned because he killed an 8 Ball. And he doesn’t really believe that 8 Balls and humans can co-exist despite what we’ve seen of New Delphi

Alex gets his key (in a most unpleasant fashion) and performs another exorcising hug manoeuvre on one of the 8 Balls, returning him to (dead) humanity. With the key he (and General Riesen) leave, Noma greeting him with a passionate kiss. This is shortly after Alex told Riesen Claire was pregnant with his child so I can understand the stink-eye Risesen gives him.

Julian agrees to the alliance –and pardons Riesen.

In Vega, Claire finds that Zoe has escaped thanks to rebels – and her guards are dead. She goes to a contact, an old crony of her dad’s, an engineer (apparently alone – the leader of the city can just wander around without bodyguards now?) called Gates to bribe him with quality booze to help her find Zoe. He refuses, so she demands he do it (though he nicely counters with the vital work he’s doing). She warns of rebellion, he laments the lack of Michael and eventually agrees to help

He comes to her with the location (and a nice little biplay where he reveals he knows the V1s, the lowest rung if Vega’s brutal class system, siphon off power and he lets them get away with it and Claire is happy with him to keep doing that).

With the location, Claire sends in the troops who drive them out. But afterwards, Claire questions one of the soldiers, sergeant Mills, asking why he missed Zoe. Claire is dubious that he could possibly have missed at that range. She accuses him of being a traitor and when he curses her, she shoots him in the leg.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 2: Mouth of the Damned

Alex the-petulant, Noma and their dispossessed buddy Pete are all captured by the forces of New Delphi. Or possibly 8 Balls. Or maybe the forces of New Delphi ARE 8 Balls since they all speak with creaking demon voices

They’re taken to New Delphi and all marvel at the apparently civilised, human 8 Balls. Maybe Alex could organise a mass exorcism hug event?

They’re taken through what looks like a thriving dystopian city to meet boss guy who is not happy about them killing one of his men. He wants a life in exchange. Alex tries to excuse himself by pointing out the guy was an 8 Ball (a term the city of New Delphi – of humans and 8 balls – doesn’t use). They live in peace in New Delphi, apparently – and everything is bartered (which still means Alex owes a life – bye Pete). Alex invokes Gabriel; sure New Delphi is all about trade but they also hate higher angels: Enemy of my Enemy and all that

Alex is split off from the rest to speak to the boss. Boss man is suspicious but Alex gives him some info about the bomb and gets a reprieve. New Delphi also has empyrean steel – special anti-angel weapons.

Which he’ll need because Gabriel is already killing New Delphi’s patrols. In the tradition of super-villains everywhere, he wants Alex alive so he can kill the man himself. So many shows would end quickly if the big bads would just say “for fuck’s sake, kill him!”. But the steel means his minions must hide who they are in the city.

Noma still spots them even as the guards find the dead patrol. Seeing Noma, the angel attacks, Noma calmly evades the attack as pandemonium rages leaving Noma and the new angel facing off against each other.

Meanwhile Alex decides to the fight the man guarding him to try and get a weapon to fight Gabriel – and because beating on wannabe allies is helpful. The guards ends up dead when the second angel reaches the room but Alex gets his hands on Empyrean Steel which is really really bad for angels when you stab them repeatedly.

Noma, alas, doesn’t win her fight and is rescued by Boss man Julian, who shoots the angel with Empyrean steel bullets (couldn’t she have just won?). And Gabriel arrives – offering trade. Julian loathes higher angels so much he refuses to negotiate despite all his talk of trade. Gabriel also kills one of his injured angels so he doesn’t have to leave him behind.

Dominion, Season 2, Episode 1: Heirs of Salvation

Michael is slaughtering people with brutal efficiency and a lot of humans are hiding and cowering from his wrath. Ok such a random non-sequiter is clearly another example of starting an episode half way through

Yup, we’re not spinning back to 2 days earlier. Have I mentioned how much I hate this prologue nonsense?

Alex is being held by/working with Gabriel who is getting irritated by the lack of Alex’s success in deciphering the god script all over him. Gabriel helpfully reminds us he’s getting Alex to co-operate by agreeing not to kill Claire who is pregnant with Alex’s baby. Alex actually makes me vaguely agree with him for once since he accuses Gabriel of having daddy issues (God agrees, since he sets the magic writing writhing on his arms visible only to Alex).

Noma, the undercover angel and now prisoner, is also there and would rather he didn’t share god’s secrets with the evil killy angel. Alex decides to taunt Gabriel instead. In punishment for their actions they ram steel spikes into Noma’s back

But now it’s the human’s turn – a plane flies over and drops a huge bomb on Michael’s fortress

In Vega, Claire and Arika (representative from the city-state, Helena) count their chickens long before they hatch and celebrate.

David (evil politician who is evil) disapproves of this and voices his complaints because a) he wasn’t informed because he’s so very important and b) if Gabriel isn’t dead he is now Pissed. Claire isn’t listening to his whining and to rub some salt into his wounds, she also plans to spread the wealth a bit more and help the V1s (poor people at the bottom of Vega’s very rigid and cruel class system). This is awesome, alas David has an Ace – if she’d worked with him she’d have his resources like knowing his people were watching Gabriel’s eerie and knew Alex was inside. Who she has no presumably killed

But Claire, despite a brief hesitation, stays firm – she controls the military, she already had this intel and chose to go ahead despite Alex’s death (also she probably knows about his epic plot armour). Having put David rather awesomely in his place she can now be all mopey about Alex. I’ll allows some mopeyness so long as it comes with nice dollops of putting David in his place

To the utter surprise of no-one, Alex is live. To my considerable surprise, so is Noma – and he help pull the iron spikes out of her back and tries to use them on Gabriel (also alive) but is stopped by Furiad (yet again, also alive – though that may change since Noma stabbed him). Alex tries again to stab Gabriel but many more not-dead and pretty much uninjured angels start getting up. Really this bomb was pretty damn awful. Was it set to property damage only or something? Noma instead encourages Alex to run before the legion of no-dead angels catch them.

Plan B is to go to New Delphi: his logic is that he doesn’t want to lead Gabriel back to Claire. This assumes Gabriel doesn’t know where Vega is, a place he’s been, can’t figure out who bombed him AND doesn’t know that Alex is a damn fool who will do anything if you imperil Claire. In other words, it’s a terrible terrible plan. The real reason being that Michael expressly told them not to go to New Delphi so of course Alex has to go because he’s a whiny manchild. Noma is not a fan of Alex’s surrogate daddy issues and would really like to call Michael – but Alex refuses.

His vague plan is to actually use his tattoos to try and get an army from New Delphi. Of course, despite her misgivings, Noma is definitely going with him.

POC as Other: The Foreigner, The Savage, The Non-Human

We’ve said repeatedly on Fangs for the Fantasy is that not all inclusion is good inclusion - something that is often forgotten since so many shows and books completely erase minorities or, at best, present hollow tokens that are blatantly there to tick boxes. It’s tempting to celebrate even limited inclusion - but we should be wary of given uncritical praise to problematic tropes raising their ugly heads over and over and over again

One of the most pervasive of which, for POC, is the Other. Not Like Us. The Alien. The different - repeatedly we will see something that separated POC from the “local” people (or, in extreme cases “normal” people). This isn’t the same as presenting POC with cultural markers - in fact we’ve spoken before about the removal of identity with POC characters - but as expressly Othering POC as external to the setting

A common example of this is by making all POC foreign. When POC are included they are often not local to the setting - they come from elsewhere, some foreign land, they’re immigrants or visitors or passing through or, in some cases, outright alien or non-human. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, obviously there is no problem with having POC from foreign countries to the setting nor even in having non-human POC - the problem comes when these are the only or the overwhelmingly predominant representations especially when the setting of the book/show is much more diverse.

Take The Dresden Files. Harry lives in Chicago - a city that is 55% non-White, yet the vast majority of the very few POC who appear in the city are not native Chicagoans. We have members of the High Council (emphasising how global and diverse the High Council is, which isn’t a bad thing), visiting wizards (Ramirez), foreign knights of the cross from Japan (Shiro) and Russia (Sanya); but very few actual Chicagoans are POC. This allows the (very limited) presentation of a few POC in the book while still implying that Chicago is an all White city. We also have Uriel, a Black angel - non-human POC who is by definition alien, which leads me nicely to Dominion.

Dominion is set in Vega, a post-dystopian Las Vegas. In the here and now, Las Vegas is only 48% non-Hispanic White - fast forward to Vega and we do have a fair number of POC in the city; but when you looked at actual people from Vega it is all white. All of the POC were either foreigners - natives of Helena (Arika) with it’s often emphasised different culture (nearly every time Arika or her fellow Hellenites appeared it was to emphasise her sexual nature or their foreignness and alienness to Vega) - or, tellingly, not human at all. Noma, Michael and Furiad, perhaps even Gabriel, are all POC and all angels. Again we have a setting that has presented several POC to the cameras (albeit not always for very long or in much depth), but they’re all Other, they’re all foreign or alien or inhuman. They’re all “not from round here.” We have an attempted display of diversity while still implying that the “home” location is all White.

Even in the future we get this same sense - look at Almost Human with Dorian the Black android. Again, there is no problem with Dorian being a Black man - nor is there a problem with a number of the other androids being POC (both the police bots and the sex bots). There is a problem that very few of the other human cast, both background extras and main characters combined, are actually POC. Again, we have diversity presented on the screen, even a co-protagonist presented as a POC, but we still have a trope that renders the POC as Other.

Dominion, Season 1, Episode 8: Beware Those Closest To You

Alex, with all the revelations of last week, decides he has to go tell the senate about Michael keeping the higher angels secret. He also brings up Michael’s ancient past killing humans, because Gabriel hearsay is such a good idea. He even exposes Noma

That’s it, the chosen one needs dropping off a cliff somewhere.

Becca goes to see Michael to be all sad about his secrets and that the Senate plans to exile him. Michael, rather huffily (but not without reason) decides to save them the trouble and, presumably, leave on his own. He does ask her to keep Lewis’s secret since the higher angel doesn’t deserve execution. Throw in some lovey stuff and he flies off.

Well not out the city – just to throw Alex around the market for betraying him after “all I’ve done for you.” See, this is where your “let the orphan be brought up as an outcast, showing him no emotion and occasionally whipping him” comes back to bite you on the arse, Mikey.  Dramatic gesture made, he then flies off.

Meanwhile, Baby Whele is leading his cult and now Daddy Whele is a happy adherent. Well an adherent anyway.

Claire invites Alex to see her in her wedding dress so they can angst and argue about, well everything rather randomly. It ends when he storms out after saying she’s marrying William Whele because she wants the power.

Arika and Riesen greet an entourage from Helena – bringing Queen Evelyn’s head. This seems to be one of Helena’s customs – gift wrapping body parts. It’s clear that Arika is behind the death of her former wife. Arika does have some praise for Evelyn – creating a female led city in a male world, a female focused faith in a world that had lost all reason for faith. Which would be nicer platitudes if her severed head wasn’t right there.

When Arika is alone she’s joined by her lover – Uriel. They have more plots for Vega, including Claire somehow – also Arika is actually Evelyn. The head on the pillow is someone else, Helena seems to have quite a stash.

William and Claire are married (“nourish his every breath”? Ok, I’ve heard worse vows. And they’re marrying in the name of the Saviour which is hilarious when you remember that Alex is Claire’s ex)

Alex is driving out the city and I joined by Michael – it seems the whole denunciation and flounce was actually an act. It was very convincing –mainly because flouncing is actually how Alex communicates. I don’t think he can leave a room if he isn’t storming out in an emotional tantrum (or anyone else for that matter. It must cause quite a lot of queues).  The plan is for Alex to earn Gabriel’s trust then stab him until he stops moving. They go to the chosen location where Michael admitted that actually he did go out massacring humans at god’s command and it was a whole lot of fun. Well, everyone has a hobby.

It took Gabriel and Uriel giving him a thorough beating and the mercy of a child to make him a decent angel. This allowed Michael to realise that his dad’s command were sometimes pointless twisted mind games and not to actually be obeyed (aka his god’s a bit of a bastard). Anyway the point of this is that Alex is supposed to be redeeming Michael for obeying the orders of god that he didn’t really mean (it’s not even theologically sound. Isn’t there a whole parable about sacrificing one’s own son as a proof of loyalty?)

They’re joined by Angel Noma (it’s a good thing she flies because there’s no way she can run in those shoes, that should have been a hint right there). She’s lured Furiad – and was able to do so because they have been lovers. Yay, more Alex angst! Just what we need! We also have the standard “waaah you lied to me” because Noma was totally supposed to say “hey, I’m an angel!” in the angel killing city – while Noma assures him that while Michael wanted her to keep tabs on Alex, sleeping with Alex wasn’t part of the command. Alex is willing to work with her, but not pretend that nothing has changed.

Michael finds Furiad and quickly puts a knife to his throat – throw in blackmail over Noma and I think we can safely say Furiad has been co-opted. Through that Noma gets a wing call from Gabriel – she warns Alex it’s dangerous and she may not come back; Alex seems to take back all that “we’re not friends!” pouting while she forces him to promise to take Gabriel down no matter what – including no matter happens to her

Back in Vega, Becca presents her findings from the angel autopsies and finds several weaknesses, including the fact that electricity can paralyse and angel. Riesen, rather belatedly, realises that Michael did a lot of humanity and saved Vega and they haven’t exactly been nice or fair to him. he also tells Becca of his plans to retire – and leave Vega.

Claire visits Arika and is introduced to Uriel – who is posing as a priest who uses the excuse of a prayer to confirm that Claire is pregnant with Alex’s child. The plan is to get Claire to Helena which will force Alex to follow because DAMSEL and then she can read the markings, defeat Gabriel and Michael and bring peace on Earth. Which she decides is her father’s plan.

Noma and Furiad go to see Gabriel and Noma uses the excuse of Michael smacking Alex as proof that Michael has gone back to his deep dark ways (would these be his human killing ways? The ways that Gabriel is now emulating? I… I can’t see how Gabriel is expected to buy this). Gabriel agrees to meet with Alex but it’s clear he expects a trap.

Alex has a dream about fighting and killing his dad because the Chosen One must be able to sacrifice everything to save humanity – also because Alex needs MAXIMUM MANPAIN at all times. He’s woken by Michael who has realised that their truly awful plan isn’t actually working.

Dominion, Season One, Episode Seven: Ouroboros

This episode begins with a flash back to the Babylonian Desert in 1900 B.C.  A child is lying in a field of dead bodies clearly playing possum.  Suddenly the child gets up and starts running through the bodies and Michael shows up, covered in blood and dressed in battle armor.  Michael extends his hand to the child telling him not to be afraid and the child moves to take Micheal's hand.

In the present, Gabriel sits upon his throne and starts to pressure to be let into the body of  Louis, a higher angel hiding in plain sight in Vega. Louis is in the market working at his fruit stall when Gabriel enters his body.  Louis' body convulses quickly and Gabriel takes over claiming that he doesn't know what came over him and that he has never been better.  Gabriel says that he has earned some me time to the man shopping at Louis' cart.

In the border lands and eight-ball tears apart a trailer until he finds a pack of cigarettes. He doesn't get to celebrate long because he is confronted by Michael who snarks that cigarettes will kill the eight-ball. In the next scene we see the eight-ball chained up in what used to be a sex shop and Alex trying to expel it from the human body it inhabits.  Michael suggests that Alex look at the apocrapher but Alex is adamant that he doesn't need to read the book anymore because the markings have told him. Michael says that this is progress and Alex snarks that he is trying to build on that progress. Alex goes back to trying to expel the eight-ball and Michael says that Alex is being over confidant. Alex points out that he burned the angel out of Claire's mom but Michael replies that Clementine was a rare case. Michael says that spiritual matters are never an exact science and in frustration, Alex shoots the eight-ball in the head. Michael calls what they are doing a fools errand but Alex is determined that continuing to try is better than sitting there and doing nothing. Michael suggests that Alex cannot keep doing this to himself but Alex is determined to keep going until he gets it right.

Back in Vega, David is lying in bed when William brings him food. David calls William insane for worshiping Gabriel who is a despicable piece of shit. William says that he is looking out for himself and trying to save David. David snarks that this is what he used to tell people on television and that it was couples with a 1-800 number. William makes it clear that he is not like David because he is telling the truth.  William believes that when the end comes that there will be a few humans who are saved and those he cares about will be among them.  David makes it clear that he is not one of David's acolytes and never will be. David makes it clear that he teaches that the chosen one is among them but that the sheep don't need to know their time is near. It is the followers of Gabriel know that the chosen one will only bring about their end.  William grabs a bowl of soup to feed his father, but David knocks it on the floor.  David is adamant that this isn't really about Gabriel but how he mistreated William. William says that David has given him more strength that he can measure and that this is about love, not revenge.

William leaves the room to find Claire waiting for him. It seems that Claire wants to move the wedding forward - next week in fact.  Claire is determined to get her father out of house and that marriage will remove the so-called burden of running the city away from her father.  Claire asks about David and William lies and claims that William has taken a turn with his pneumonia but is not going to the hospital to avoid being seen as weak.

Alex is back in Vega and he is having a shower.  He is joined by Noma who says that she missed Alex at the bar.  It seems that Noma made a toast in Alex's honour about Claire moving up her wedding. Alex calls it old news so Noma asks why he looks like someone killed his dog. Alex simply says that it has been a rough few weeks weeks but Noma makes it clear that it would easier if Alex would just speak to someone.  Noma slaps Alex across the face initiating what seems to be a common game between them and Alex laughs. In return Alex playfully slaps Noma's but and she snarks about the chosen on laughing.  Noma starts flirting with Alex saying that she is not blind and that maybe the tattoos mean that he is something special or maybe that they don't mean anything at all. Noma claims that to her, he will always be plain old Alex. It's not long before to the two are kissing. Alex says that things are different now so Noma asks if the chosen on can have a good time.  When next we see the pair, they are in the supply closet making love.

Gabriel in the guise of Louis heads to Jeffery who is a nurse in the infirmary.  Jeffery tells fake Louis that he cannot be there and that he is tired of being asked about the Michael thing. It seems that Jeffery is not interested in becoming an operative for Michael. Fake Louis suggests aligning with Gabriel but Jeffery calls Gabriel a maniac.

Senator Becca Thorn is out for a jog, followed closely by her security when she calls for everyone to take a five minute break. In the process of stretching, Becca notices blood on the sole of her running shoe. Becca retraces her steps and finds a pool of blood. When she looks up, there are several dead higher angels hanging from the walls, including Jeffery.  Becca orders the security to get Risen immediately.

Dominion Season One, Episode Six: Black Eyes Blue

Michael arrives at an old casino vault to find Alex waiting for him. When Michael enters the vault, he finds Clementine tied up in chains begging to be let go.  And let the bickering begin!  Michael is upset that Alex radioed in to say that the eight ball had been killed and Alex defends this actions by saying that he was only trying to buy time. Alex explains that Clementine is no ordinary eight ball because she is Claire's mother. This of course is no surprise to Michael and he tells Alex that he was ordered by Edward to take care of this personally and now because of Alex's false report, Edward believes that Clementine is dead. In Clementine's defense, Alex argue's that she is different and knows things about Claire only a mother could know, leading him to believe that Claire's mother is still somehow hidden inside. Clementine stands and promises to leave Vega but Michael is adamant that Clementine is not going anywhere.  Alex brings up the text which apparently says that the possessed shall find relief in the hands of the chosen one and Michael calls it the words of scared men and orders Alex to get back into the vault and end this or he will. More bickering and finally, Alex decides that he is going to perform and eviction on Clementine despite the great risk to himself.

Edward is sitting in his office when Claire walks in with a big smile on her face.  It seems that the music box which Clementine had placed on her bed had fallen off  and landed on the floor so she didn't see it. Of course, Claire assumes this a gift from her father because it plays a song her mother used to sing her as a child. Claire thanks her father and talks about how much she misses her mother. Edward admits to missing his wife and Claire kisses her father calling it a perfect gift. As Claire moves to leave the room, Edward asks Clarie to wait so that he can request her help with David's attempt to initiate the call for a vote of no confidence. Claire is surprised that this is still going on given that she threatened David last night with absolutely no proof. How dare he not capitulate to the Lady of the city's command. Edward asks Claire to attend a meeting with him which will hopefully put a stop to Edward's plans.

William is outside at his gathering area for his fake religion in his ministerial robes. William calls David's visit a pleasant surprise but David quickly informs William that this is not a pleasure visit and pulls out the cloth which represents collusion with Gabriel.  David informs William that the cloth was found in their home and adds that he is impressed by William's work looking into Gabriel's under-church and the black acolytes. At this point, David is clearly no different than a cat playing with a mouse before going in for the slaughter. David promises to end the black acolytes the moment he finds them and tells William to have a good day.

Michael drops in on Uriel, who is dancing like ballerina and unimpressed by the intrusion.  Around the room are famous works of art. Michael hands Uriel another painting for her collection saying that he would like to make a trade for the apocrypher. Uriel is shocked and points out that the apocrypher is only used for one thing, then questions if a human soul is more important to Michael that one of his own kind. Michael tells Uriel that the chosen one is demanding it and since Uriel told him to train Alex, that is exactly what Michael intends to do. Uriel points out that even with the apocrypher, trying to save the possessed is a fools mission but the ever so arrogant Michael intends this as a lesson in failure for Alex. Uriel then points out that this would greatly upset Gabriel but Michael claims that this has nothing to do with Gabriel.  Uriel questions if Michael thinks she is a fool, given that if even one eight ball is released, it would change the balance. Uriel then hands the painting back to Michael with a smile and says that there is something else she wants.

Later, Alex sits on Michael's bed, while Uriel examines his tattoos saying that she now understands why Michael has been keeping Alex all to himself. When Alex complains that Uriel is making him uncomfortable, Michael replies, "welcome to my world." Alex points out that he is the only one who can translate them and is having difficulty doing so but Uriel says that she is not interested in the translation at the moment. Alex questions Uriel's desire to see them and Uriel respond that the markings are divine creativity handed down by her father. Finally, at the max of his creep out level, Alex declares that Uriel has seen enough and demands the book. Uriel hands it over and Alex removes the cover and asks what they are to do now. Uriel snarks about Michael not telling Alex about the book's history and Michael snarks that it was premature given that he was not sure if they would ever actually possess the book. Michael tells Alex that the book belonged to the only prophet to ever evict an angel and though many have held that book, all have failed. Alex realises that there have been angel possessions for hundreds of years and Michael explains that this is the only kind of possessions there ever have been. it's just that humans have always failed to see them for what they were. When Alex opens the book, he finds that the pages are faded away and are not readable. Michael of course stalks over to Uriel and says that the only way to save Claire's mother is to find that prayer. Alex closes his eyes and begins to concentrate causing his tattoo to start moving across his body. The words begin to appear on the page and Michael realises that Alex can read the prayer.

William heads to a restaurant where he is seated by Paul, one of Gabriel's acolytes. William tells Paul  that Edward found the scarf which he forced into his hand. William orders the other acolytes to gather and then disband for the time being. William says that if the acolytes are exposed, they will all be dragged outside the city walls and shot and demands that his orders be fulfilled.

Michael goes to see Clementine and she falls to her knees in prostration once again promising to disappear if Michael will release her. Michael asks where Clementine will go and and points out the obvious - Clementine is an eight ball. Clementine rejects the label but Michael argues that this is what she is and she has already murdered two people in Vega. Clementine says that she had no choice because the humans were going to hurt her but Michael says that Clementine made her choice long ago with the other lower angels. Clementine argues that she panicked and that as soon as she had completed the possession she regretted it and therefore tried to reduce the damage as much as she could. Clementine questions if Michael had expected her to wait in the nothingness because she didn't have the luxury of a body like the higher angels. Clementine argues that she has respected the body and lived an honest life - a life of love and redemption. When Clementine questions if Michael believes in redemption, he quickly draws his sword and puts it to her throat and then promptly walks out in a fit.

Aryka enters Edward's office and walks right by him and heads to see Claire. Edward points out that Claire will be a part of running the city soon and Aryka clearly approves, given that she is from a matriarchy (which btw does not make any sense) The topic quickly shifts to David, whom Claire calls a threat to their plans and Aryka says that she does not fear David's influences but values the promises which David has made. Edward questions Aryka's confidence in David keeping his promises. The little conference is interrupted when a message is delivered to Claire. Claire stands and excuses herself for a moment. Claire meets with Alex in the hallway and he asks her to come with him but Claire says that she cannot just leave. Alex replies that he is on a "top secret" mission and that Claire should just come with him and not ask any questions.  Claire tells Alex that whatever it is will have to wait and moves to leave but Alex grabs her hand and says that it cannot wait.

Dominion, Season One, Episode Five: Something Borrowed

Michael and Alex are in a desert and the training has begun.  Michael uses the sun to his advantage and swoops in at Alex.  After several attempts in which Alex does not even manage to harm Michael in the slightest, Michael calls an end to training for the day. A frustrated Alex complains that he has no idea what Michael has been trying to teach him and that he went easy on Michael because he was given live ammunition. Micheal does his Mr Miyagi  routine and makes it clear that Alex never had a shot at hitting him because Alex is ignoring his instincts due to being fueled by emotions.  Alex is warned to get control of his emotions and watch the shadows and not the sun.

David has a flashback to trying to protect his wife and children from roving angels.  We learned that the angels killed his wife and all of his children expect for one.  David is brought back to the present by William, who has questions about the engagement party. William asks for advice and David tells him to cherish the time he has.

A beaten up Alex is back at the station and Claire questions what happened to him.  Alex explains that he was in training. They talk about where Bixby's ashes were buried. They both express sorrow over Bixby's passing and the cynical side of me wonders if this is going to be used to raise Alex's man pain. Claire then goes onto confirm that she is marrying William because she has to look out for the city. Why she cannot do this as a single woman, since they're houses have been framed as equal is beyond me. They kiss and Claire makes her apologies and leaves. I don't know about you but I cannot get into the star crossed lovers story line that Dominion is going with.

Later, Claire stands lost holding the material which will make her wedding dress. Noma questions Claire's lack of excitement and points out that those of lower castes are looking forward to the wedding.  Claire says that the senate wants a grand old wedding to take the people's minds off of the problems. Claire can barely keep the fake smile on her face. David enters calling the upcoming nuptials a match made in heaven. Noma excuses herself and David offers Claire an early wedding present - the blue sapphire necklace his wife wore on their wedding day. David then takes the opportunity to tell Clair that Senator Romero has figured out that her father is having issues with his heart and will be initiating a vote of no confidence in the senate to force him to relinquish his seat. Of course, for the good of Vega, Clair must become lady of the city and take her father's seat.

When the market opens, Clementine sneaks through it with dark glasses. Clementine pauses when she comes across a music box and enters the store to buy it. Unfortunately, Clementine raises her gaze and her red tinged eyes are revealed to the store owner. Clementine begs for secrecy but the man reaches for his weapon and so she is forced to kill him.

Michael and Alex are sitting in Michael's apartment in hopes of inducing Alex into having another vision. At first, Alex refuses to take it seriously but when he does, he sees a vision of a bloody Bixby, who begs him not to allow anyone else to be hurt.  Hours pass this way for Alex and when he returns to his body, Alex simply tells Michael that he saw who he is fighting for, before storming out of the apartment.

Clementine and Edward sit in her apartment and he notices the new music box. Clementine tries to pretend that it's old but Edward is insistent that it's new, forcing her to admit that she left the apartment. Clementine says that she used the tunnels he uses to visit her and lies and says that no one saw her. Clementine argues that with Edward dying, she is going to need someone to look out for her because she will quickly run out of food and water. Clementine then asks about Claire but Edward is adamant that this cannot happen. Clementine is certain that her kind won't take her because her association with Edward and she is further stuck by the fact that humans would shoot her on the spot. David promises to think of something.

David waits in the corridor for Becca Thorn and the moment she arrives, he accuses her of knowing all about the problems with Edward's health. Becca makes it clear that their agreement was only for her to pass information about Michael.  David calls it a matter of little consequence, as Edward will soon be tossed out. It seems however that he needs Becca's support in this matter. When Becca refuses, David makes it clear that she will either help or he will make it public that she had an affair with Michael.

William walks through a courtyard giving the people a sermon of sorts about his phony religion.  They all seem at peace, when William notices a face in the crowd. William dismisses the people and approaches the man only to questioned about being unfaithful to Gabriel and preaching nonsense to the people. William quickly grabs the man in a bear hug and asserts that he is Gabriel's eyes and ears and by his actions, the man is putting everyone in jeopardy.  Before William can get even more forceful, Claire arrives which forces William to let the man go. William is quick to offer Claire his sympathy for her father's heart condition and Claire uses the opportunity to reveal that it is David who is working to get Edward removed as Lord of the city. Claire then gets her flirt on and asks William if there is anything he can tell her about his father which would force him to allow Edward to stay in his position. Instead of providing information, William promises to talk to David tonight before the party.

Michael is working his way through a calisthenic routine when Becca arrives. The two quickly start to kiss. Before it gets too heated, Becca tells Michael that she know agrees that she needs to find a good man and settle down. Becca then tells Micheal that she cannot see him anymore and Michael then does his inscrutable routine and declares it for the best.

Dominion, Season 1, Episode 4: The Flood

Michael is taken into hospital while doctors flock to treat him (what training do you need to operate on angels, anyway?) And Alex is arrested for desertion

The prison system is brutal with guards who are arseholes which is not very surprising. Alex makes things worse by headbutting one of them because he’s Alex and of course he does. They beat him and shove him into solitary confinement (his own personal angst room) but, alas, do not kill him.

Tell me again why Gabriel is wrong? I keep forgetting

In hospital, Senator Becca falls asleep by Michael’s bedside and a shadowy figure who-is-almost-definitely-Gabriel sneaks in and uses a feather to heal Michael. When Michael wakes up he’s a little surprised because “empyrean steel” should have killed him (also because he’s always kind of angsty and upset).He also wants the blade that broke off and to see Alex but all of that is distracted while he tells Becca how bad he is for her (nope, stop, Alex has used up every last drop of the angst quota for this show. You are not allowed to be angsty Michael).

After they have sex and fall asleep another Angel arrives, in full Xena cosplay. She nearly kills Becca but Michael stops her, there’s a brief fight before they hit the ground outside and talk. She was only playing and she taunts him for liking her. She’s also Uriel – one of the other Archangels. She’s there because of the Chosen One (of course she is). She tells her “little brother” to meet her to talk.

Claire goes to the hospital to see Starving Waif Bixby (there after the angel attack) and she tells Claire about Alex being arrested (and, despite having known him for some time and being sworn to secrecy, she insists on calling him The Chosen One). Their conversation may have been overheard by one of the other Senators, Senator Frost.

At the senate, Frost makes some passive aggressive comments about how the Chosen One needs to reveal himself, and Evil Whele mocks him for silly superstition. They try to make him sit down but he claims a rumour that says “the child” is in Vega. Whele continues to mock and Frost sits down while giving Riesen the evil eye.

Michael meets with Uriel and Gabriel – Uriel stopping the other two fighting. She also lays down the law with Gabriel. She doesn’t really care if he slaughters humans but Michael is off limits. She’s also pissed at Michael for hiding the Chosen One and “father’s markings”. She demands they end the war which interests both of them because she could end it – by choosing a side. But she loves them both (though finds what Gabriel does with the 8 Balls revolting). Gabriel also talks about Michael forcing the Chosen One with more hints that his “true nature” will turn him to Gabriel

Dominion, Season 1, Episode 3: Broken Places

Gabriel goes to diner to have pudding – though he worries about the quality of pudding. Finding decent pudding is definitely a major concern for an Archangel. Also he’s meeting with William Whele who is, apparently, the one loyal man that Gabriel needs to bring god back (or so he tells William anyway. Personally I think it’s a good line to keep a spy on side). William is also concerned because Claire got hurt last week though. Gabriel hears this – and slaughters everyone in the diner (Archangel wings are bullet proof, apparently, but the fact he used them suggests his body isn’t). He gives William a lecture about strength and violence and blood which is all dramatic and evil.

He assures William he’s one of the strong, I don’t think William believes it (or he’s not very convincing). Now, back to dessert!

Random montages – General Riesen  is still getting it on with an 8 Ball. Alex is still moping and has left the city. Arika and Whele spar at each other for a while before coming down to terms: the use of Helena’s airforce in exchange for lots of help setting up a nuclear reactor. But Whele can’t guarantee Riesen will agree, which Arika points out

Riesen and the senate (who Arika derides as “rubber stamping” Riesen) grill Michael on why he never mentioned these new human-looking higher angels. Michael’s reasoning is that they (and the other Archangels, Uriel and Raphael) were neutral. He also explains the limits of angelic perception and why, no Whele, Michael doesn’t know where the other angels are hiding. Whele decides to accuse Michael of all sorts, much to the tired disapproval of the council, including disloyalty (he’s untrustworthy because he supported humans over angels… wait, the logic there is… dubious). Michael runs with it – sure, maybe he is a traitor! Why he could kill everyone in the room and no-one there could stop him, the entire council, Whele himself (said right to Whele’s face since the man has definitely violated. Before he turns and leaves

Pretty much making the point that, if Michael were a traitor, they’d all be dead right now

Alas, we have to join Alex the Pouty Chosen One of Angst and Whining. He finds a wrecked car and lots of dead, humans attacked by 8 Balls.  Alex gets to practice his frowny sad face as he talks to the last survivor and puts him out of his misery.

Back to chez Gabriel and Furiad, leader of the human-looking angels is miffed that they don’t just kidnap Alex (apparently they need to convert him to their side) especially since 2 of his fellows are now all gooey and prserved, but Gabriel thinks it would save them all a lot of pouty rebellion if Alex chose to swap sides (I think he’s just seen how much angst Alex throws out all the time and wants no part of it).

At Vega, Noma tells Ethan (these two are Alex’s soldier friends) about Alex running off. Ethan decides to go talk to Michael, which Noma doesn’t think is a good idea.

Wiliam finds Claire in the market and he’s all puppy-ish. Michael’s also in the market and meets Lewis – an apparent angel who knew Felicia, the angel who attacked Alex, though he insists he never knew she’d sided with Gabriel. He also says “us” suggesting there are a few like him. Michael apparently took them as neutral refugees but insists Lewis keep an eye on the others and check to see if any are infiltrators. He lays out an ultimatum – these angels can join Michael or get out.

It also looks like Whele’s suspicions are at least somewhat justified – Michael did know of angels in the city and chose not to tell them.