Well, it happened, Reynie and Sticky were announced as new Messengers. Do they deserve it? Did their plan to become the best payoff? Perhaps, or maybe Dr. Curtain is playing the long game. With each episode, we’ve seen more and more just how intelligent and crafty Curtain is. I have a suspicion that he has known, or at least had heightened skepticism, of Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance the entire time. We see what he does to people he’s suspicious of. He’s very good at hinting that he may know more than the kids think. And with his long pauses in conversation, he is able to trick them into almost telling on themselves or at the very least, giving too much information. It’s a cat and mouse game where both sides think that they’re the cat, but in reality, it seems more like it’s cats to kittens and the kittens are in the cat’s house. The closer the kids get to the flame, the closer they get to get to having their minds swept.
Episode 5: The Art of Conveyance and Round-Trippey
“No one has ever gotten their sash this fast. No one.”
Finally! We get answers to some of the most burning questions of the series. With that said, this episode is probably my favorite so far. Not only is there an abundance of drama and sleuthing, but we get to see a great understanding of the kids, their personalities, and their fears. As Reynie and Sticky step into their new roles as Messengers, they seem to get a little too comfortable in their new attire. As kids who were abandoned, I’m sure the prospect of feeling and being important is alluring. Not to mention that L.D. Curtain has been manically nice to them, understood them, and made them feel like they belong. Benedict did the same, however, he also tricked them. At least with Curtain, they know he has ulterior motives. And that seems to be where the gray area lies. After their worthiness of the Messenger sash is questioned, the kids learn that their means of communicating with Benedict has been compromised; their on their own now. They did, however, receive one last message that could lead them to the secret entrance that Milligan and Benedict witnessed being used. Unfortunately, they won’t be able to completely solve the coded message together. The boys have their first experience with top-secret Messenger duties and Kate now has tetherball responsibilities.
As the group is separated, we get to see a side of Constance that we haven’t seen before. Also, since the flashlight way of communicating is now obsolete, Benedict, Number Two, Rhonda, and Milligan must race to find a new method because as we learn, Curtain is tired of waiting to execute The Improvement. Not to mention, Ms. Perumal shows up once again, this time she has masterfully tracked down Benedict and crew, and she is not happy. This episode is chock-full of unveilings and information. We learn what The Improvement is intended for, what and mostly how The Whisperer works, where the brain sweeper it degausser is, who the voices are that Constance has been hearing, and more. There are many problems ahead but perhaps the biggest is, whether or not all the kids are still on board with taking down the diabolical Curtain. This is a very telling, and at times, emotional episode. I enjoyed it a great deal
Final Thoughts
As Ms. Perumal shows that she not only cares deeply about the well-being of Reynie but also how highly intelligent she is, what part will she play going forward? I think I know how Benedict feels at her. Do Reynie, Kate, and Constance have to worry about Sticky being fully entrenched in being a Messenger? And is Benedict simply outmatched by his brother? I guess we’ll find out next week. Only 3 episodes left.
Runtime: 56m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
