Things are about to get very real for the people of Stonetown and perhaps the world. The nefarious Dr. Curtain has laid out his plan and is on the verge of launching The Improvement. What makes Curtain so evil is that he has been terrifyingly calm throughout this entire process. He also went so far as to open a school where he could groom and manipulate children to do his bidding for him. What are his true motives? While he claims that he wants to relieve people from endless choices and chaos, we know that is just the rational reasoning that sounds good on paper. There is clearly a more personal, more petty, reason behind it all and I’m sure it has something to do with his twin brother. The question now is, can the kids destroy The Whisperer and stop The Improvement from taking place? If not, can the mind-altering effects be undone? They don’t have much time left to figure out a plan of attack, free will hangs in the balance.
Episode 6: Run Silent, Run Deep
“He’s drinking the Kool-Aid.”
If the friendship between Reynie, Sticky, Constance, and Kate was a ship, it would be the Titanic and Dr. Curtain the manipulative iceberg. From the time the kids arrived on the island, Curtain has been somewhat suspicious of them. And it seems that his plan has been to divide and conquer rather than to simply toss them out without reason. With how Sticky has been acting lately, it seems to be working. In this episode not only do we see the effect that The Whisperer is having on Sticky but a glimpse at its true power. We are also shown the past of Benedict and Curtain and what may have eventually sparked Curtain’s evil venture. After Benedict is convinced by Ms. Perumal that what he has the kids doing is gravely dangerous, he actually wants to get them safely off the island before they finish the mission. And since he feels that way, that usually means some kind of task for Milligan, but this time it doesn’t go as planned. Speaking of plans, Reynie one. He plans on seeing what information he can learn from a new friend, tells Kate to see what she can learn from her team captain, while Constance goes on an unexpected journey against her will. Back at the cabin, Number Two and Rhonda are going over all of Benedict’s files and conclude that he hasn’t been completely honest with them. Oh, and Sticky is gleefully back on Messenger duty and we witness the importance of the blue beret. This episode is full of drama and suspense. Loyalties are again tested, realizations are made, friendships are on the line, and the world may be in danger very shortly. This show is still entertaining and still getting better. With more breathable scenes than other episodes, the score really stands out in this one. With its intense ending, the last two episodes are going to be very interesting.
Final Thoughts
As we get closer to the end of the season and a final showdown is sure to be on the horizon, how can they possibly stop The Improvement from happening? Not only is Curtain suspicious, but with Sticky being influenced by the machine as well as Curtain himself, he may be inclined or manipulated to admit his original intentions. And what will become of Milligan after his possibly fatal accident? Eventually, Mr. Benedict is going to have to face his brother, it may be the only way to stop him. Lastly, I wonder if any of the other students know Curtain’s plans. Perhaps, Martina, Jackson, or Jillson, they all too smart to not know something weird is going on.
Episode 6 of The Mysterious Benedict Society begins streaming on July 23, 2021. Stay safe and enjoy.
Runtime: 50m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
