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Chad Decker's unconscious is pretty sure he can't trust Anna, but distrust is HOTTT. Anna and Chad and his dirty dreams are in Geneva so Anna can present a technological gift of Blue Energy to a world forum. Chad has given up any pretense of being objective and stands as Anna's wingman during the conference. When Anna's plan is thwarted by a protocol-happy Secretary General, a natural disaster gives her an opening. She dispatches rescue ships carrying Blue Energy. Chad reports on the miraculous rescue and the conference decides to let her speak. She stages a laser light show, and wins a round of applause for her trouble. But the Secretary General isn't joining in. He has suspicions about the Vs plans to leave earth. Chad confronts Anna, and she almost confirms the Visitors' plans to stay. Almost.
After cracking into Ryan's safe and finding the evidence of a secret life, Val is on the run. Ryan enlists the aid of his V doctor friend to find Val before she sees her own ob/gyn. But Val isn't going to her regular doctor, instead she's opted for the Visitors' Healing Center. Luckily, Ryan asked Erica to trace Val's phone, and he finds her at the clinic before the V doctor can report her pregnancy to Anna. After the doctor gets all kinds of uppity, Val decides to trust Ryan enough to escape with him.
In her capacity as an FBI agent, Erica is enlisted to investigate the Fifth Column, which is a whole bowl of awkward. After the Visitors slaughter a small cell of rebels, she gets a lead on a survivor. Father Jack pimps his priesthood to go visit the man's dying father, who directs him towards his son. Kyle suggests that they use the frumpy schoolteacher as bait -- and he agrees. And when there are six more Fifth Column murders, the Fab Four sense the urgency of drawing V blood. They set a trap for the V assassin, but the V beats them to the scene and shoots the poor schlub. After the harmless schoolteacher dies in his arms, Father Jack finally picks up a gun and they capture the assassin alive. The big surprise: the assassin is human.
Joshua has to administer an empathy test on Lisa. Unfortunately, SHE FAILED. And Anna's directive was clear: Eliminate anyone who fails, no exceptions. Obviously, she blames Tyler and her mission to make him fall in love with her. So when Tyler shows up on the ship -- because he is still mad at his mom for not telling him that his dad is not genetically his dad -- Lisa tries to steer clear, but she just can't quit him. Instead, she takes him on a love flight, where Tyler announces his intentions to join the Live Aboard Program and Lisa gives up the Big V. Meanwhile, Joshua and the V in Black can't decide whether Lisa is turning human and could join the resistance or whether she is a trap set out by Anna. When Anna gets back to the ship from her trip to Geneva, she gives Lisa a little talking to. But Anna was pleased to hear that Lisa passed her empathy test. Lisa is relieved to hear that too, even if it means she owes Joshua a favor.
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Melissa Locker a.k.a. Lulu Bates would definitely pass the empathy test if you made her watch episodes of Emeril Live. You can follow her on Twitter @woolyknickers.
Want more? The full recap starts right below!Chad Decker steps out of the shower in his hotel room in Geneva, Switzerland, clad only in a towel. Sometimes I think theses scenes are put into shows just so that the fans know that Scott Wolfe has a trainer, doesn't eat carbs, and has generally held up well over the years. I mean, yes, people do wander around their hotel rooms in towels, but these scenes show up a lot. Did you catch Timothy Olyphant in Justified last week? Holy hell! Now THAT guy has a trainer. In fact, I'm pretty sure you could just tell your trainer that I want to look like Timothy Olyphant and they would know. Kind of like when people bring pictures of, like, Lauren Conrad or Rhea Perlman to their hairdresser and say, "I want her hair." Anyway, Chad is in Geneva in a towel and suddenly Anna is there too. She is wearing a tight red dress and about five pounds of mascara. She pushes Chad against the door and reminds him that she knows he doesn't want to be ordinary, but can she trust him? Her hand plays with his towel, brushes up against his chest and they start kissing. Her hands slowly make their way to his neck and start choking the bejeezus out of him. Oh shit! If you die in your dream you stay dead! (I learned that from Nightmare on Elm Street. Suck it, remake.) I can't decide whether it is fortunate or unfortunate that Chad wakes up to the sound of his alarm. You see, my jury is still out on Chad. Yes, it is nice to see Scott Wolfe back on the old tv screen and not, say, pulling a Jeremy London or, god forbid, a Neve Campbell (can someone stage a Scream intervention, please? Honey, it's just not a good idea, even if it is your only option). But I just feel that Scott Wolf's, or more specifically, Chad Decker's, character is just developing too slowly. Yes, we now know he doesn't want to live an ordinary life like ordinary people. He wants to be fab and famous and he doesn't want to have an aneurysm. But I don't get him yet and there aren't that many episodes remaining for me to learn to care. Anyway, Chad is awake and shaking off that pesky just-choked feeling. He turns to the television, which is already on and blaring, and sees them reporting on the story that Anna has unexpectedly arrived at a conference of world leaders in Switzerland hoping to present the world with a gift of blue energy. Chad smiles, which is kind of a weird reaction to seeing someone who just almost killed you in your sleep. I bet Johnny Depp doesn't smile at Freddy Krueger, but maybe Chad is into that sort of thing. Like I said, we don't know much about Chad. But I guess we can add erotic strangulation to the list of "likes".
Erica is extending the olive branch to Tyler. Just substitute Zabar's bagel with schmear for olive branch. Tyler is unimpressed with the gesture. While I like the New York flair of pimping Zabar's on national television, I still don't understand where in the greater New York City area an FBI agent can afford to buy a two-story detached house with a porch and a yard and, like, windows and a formal dining room. Tell me where it is so I can move there. Erica wants to talk to Tyler about what his dad said about not being his biological father; she swears it is not true. They are a family! Tyler doesn't believe her. He's going to the ship where people tell him the truth. At that, Erica manages not to snort and roll her eyes, which may be the best acting Elizabeth Mitchell has done on this show thus far.
Ryan is at home when Val finally calls him. She coolly tells him that she found the passports and doesn't know who he is. He frantically tries to convince her that he was coming home to tell her the truth, that there is nothing wrong with her baby, but he really wants to talk in person. Val ignores the request and asks, "Whose baby is this?" Since she's only six weeks pregnant the ultrasounds can't possibly be hers. Wait, wait, what conclusion is she jumping to? Does she think Ryan is hoarding someone else's ultrasound pictures? I mean, she has to know something is wrong with her baby what with all the kicking and dead mouse buffets. So why would she be SO shocked that the baby is larger than normal? But the question, "Whose baby is this?" is so strange, she could be making the logical leap that the baby she is carrying was IMPLANTED in her somehow? That is ...odd, yet also awesome. It shows that Val is a very open minded girl, which bodes well for a future with Ryan. She hangs up on him as he tries to get her to meet him. The rest of his calls go straight to voicemail. Aw man, that's cold. He calls Dr. Pearlman instead. They both know that if Val goes to a regular obstetrician they will know something fishy is going on. The doctor helpfully suggests that they find her before it is too late.
Erica eventually remembers that she has a job and wanders on over to the nearest crime scene. Three bodies killed by a professional. One victim crawled away, but they don't know where he's gone. The agent who runs the V terrorist task force, the one who is played by Rekha Sharma (I have no idea what her character's name is), calls Erica over to show her a mark that was on all the victims' bodies. It is a little white V nicked right behind the ear. It's the way you prove you are not an alien. Erica knows it, but pretends she has no idea. Rekha Sharma glares at her and then shows her to the cubbyhole where the victims were planning their terrorist attack on the Visitors. She explains to Erica that they were most likely members of the Fifth Column, a terrorist organization targeting the Visitors. Erica looks interested, but not overly. Rekha Sharma explains that they are tracking their group. There has been increased chatter on the terrorism partylines since the "John May Lives" rallying call appeared on the bottom of the Mothership. Also, it appears that a computer hard drive was taken. It probably has names and numbers and star signs of other members of the Fifth Column. They need to find the Fifth Column and she could really use Erica's terrorism expertise. Their boss interrupts to tell them that they found the identity of the surviving victim. He's a high school computer science teacher. Erica needs to find him before the killer does so she can lead the FBI to the Fifth Column. Awkward!
In Geneva, Anna is putting on business casual with No.2 acting as valet. He also reports that her assessment of the situation was correct and after the "John May Lives" message, the Fifth Column has been coming out of hiding. They are being picked off like flies. Anna mumbles, "Mmm, flies." They leave the hotel room and see Chad Decker waiting for them. Chad is excited to be covering the conference for the first time. Although, it looks like he is not so much reporting as acting as Anna's spokesmodel. Anna claims she is just super thrilled to present the world with a selfless present of sustainable technology and Chad gets to witness progress first hand. Chad helpfully explains that these global gatherings are more about political posturing than progress, but Anna replies that she is hoping to change that. Dream big!
Erica comes barreling into the church, but before she can report on the Fifth Column murders, Ryan stops her. He needs her help. Val is human, pregnant, and missing. He lied to her and it just drove her away. Obvs, Erica can relate to THAT. She will do what she can to help him track down Val. Ryan tells Father Jack and Kyle about the pregnancy. Ryan explains that Georgie knew and sacrificed himself so the Visitors wouldn't kill Ryan's family the way they killed Georgie's. Then Kyle makes a crack about a "terrarium", which actually wasn't all that funny, but Ryan throws him up against the wall anyway. Apparently, keeping reptiles locked in a cage is just
not amusing among the cold-blooded brethren. The fight breaks up long enough for Erica to explain about the murders. Father Jack feels instantly guilty and Kyle is instantly not sorry because this is war, man. Erica explains that a high school teacher named Alex Caruso got away and they need to find him. He is off the grid, but she thinks he checked in with his dying father at the Veterans' Hospital. Father Jack does a quick calculation (Caruso? That sounds Italian. He's probably heard of Catholicism) and offers to pimp out his priest collar to go talk to the man. Erica excuses Ryan from his Fifth Column duties for the day and he leaves the group to continue his search for Val. When he leaves, Erica tells a priest that she wants to kill some Vs, which probably violates a few commandments.
Up on the Mothership, Lisa is watching home movies of Tyler when Joshua finds her. He has been giving empathy tests to everyone on the ship. She is the last person on his list. She agrees to the test and Joshua administers it to her. When it is over, he coldly reports that SHE FAILED. She is startled, she protests, she denies it. Then she starts to rationalize: Her assignment to make Tyler fall in love with her has skewed the results. She is not really empathetic. She swears! Joshua just stands there staring at her. She starts to get more nervous and reminds Joshua that he has known her since the day she was born (hatched?) and there is no way he can question her loyalty. Joshua replies that her mother's orders were clear: Kill anyone who failed the test. No exceptions. Yikes. Lisa starts looking mighty empathetic for herself.
Back in Geneva, Anna is introduced to the Secretary General with Chad Decker by her side. The Secretary General acknowledges Chad's existence, but looks skeptical about what exactly he is doing there. He also reminds Anna that while she is welcome to attend the proceedings, the privilege of making a presentation to the world's leaders is reserved for invited guests. Ooh Anna got bounced! Me likey the Secretary General. Anna calmly replies that she hoped the Secretary General would stand by her side as she presented her gift of blue energy to the world (in song, I hope). Just as calmly the awesome SG replies that he would, like, totally be into that, but some people (he points his head at the Canadian rep and winks) are real sticklers for protocol. In short, no can do, space sister. Chad Decker decides to butt in and asks the Secretary General his thoughts on protocol. Before he can answer with a lengthy quote from Emily Post, Anna smiles that she is sure he is objective. The Secretary General takes his leave, smirking because he totally schooled her. Chad tells Anna that she had to know there was going to be opposition and Anna smiles that she LOVES opposition. It only strengthens her agenda (so they DO have Successories in space!). Chad gets all boy reporter on her and asks, "Agenda? I thought it was a gift?" And Anna leaves without answering. The camera however definitely has an opinion on this as it zooms really close to Chad's face and then up and down again. Somebody has been watching their Hitchcock!
Father Jack heads in to visit Mr. Caruso the Elder in his hospital room. He makes his big entrance quoting Psalms, because that's always a hit at the old folks home. Caruso taps his toe to the old favorite but doesn't seem moved to join in the chorus. So when religion fails, turn to the military: Father Jack notes the First Battalion Rangers tattoo on Caruso's forearm and whips out his dog tags. He tells him that he did two tours in Iraq as army chaplain and he's a lot more than just a pretty face over a clerical collar. Caruso can't trust anyone and Father Jack understands. Caruso asks Jack to come closer and closer and closer. He grabs him by the head and checks for the V mark behind Jack's ear. His cut is still healing, which makes me very confused about both the timeline and the V medical care. Wouldn't they have noticed that? Or healed it? Anyway, this proves to Caruso that he can trust Father Jack. If Father Jack promises to help his son -- who told him the truth about the Visitors -- then he will tell him where he is. Father Jack nods. Cut to a rooftop where Erica, Kyle and Father Jack's calls to Alex Caruso are greeted with a sloppy volley of gunfire. Erica and Kyle whip out their pieces while Father Jack pleads for peace. He's a priest! God is love! Arms are for hugging! He begs Alex to come out, stop shooting, and talk to them. His father sent them for chrissake! Oh, pretend he didn't say that part. Gunshots send Father Jack back into hiding. Kyle moves into fighting position while Erica gambles that Alex won't actually shoot her if she tells him she's a mother. She holds up her hands and walks within firing range explaining that she knows this is overwhelming for him, that the Visitors killed his friends, that he's just a lowly school teacher. Alex comes out and demands to know how he can believe they aren't Visitors. Erica points at Kyle who has a gun pointed at Alex's head and shrugs that if they were Visitors he'd be dead already. She has a point there, buddy. Alex drops the gun and cries because schoolteachers are a sensitive lot.
In Geneva, Chad asks the Secretary General for two minutes, off the record. The smart-as-fuck SG asks, "Off the record from the press? Or from Anna?" Aw, snap! Chad blinks, and explains that he doesn't work for Anna. The Secretary General cracks up laughing at that, because that's a real rib tickler. Chad doesn't think it's funny. He wants to know why the Secretary General is openly opposing Anna when no one else will. The SG replies that Anna's gifts all come with a cost. For example, the healing centers have ravaged the medical industry and if she gives free energy to the world, she will do the same to the energy industry. Chad asks if the Secretary General is putting the bottom line above helping people, but the SG corrects him: It's the same thing. Yeah, he pretty much understands Anna's game. Chad looks uncomfortable at this whole situation. Is the Secretary General questioning his journalistic ethics? Or his humanity? Either way: Not awesome.
Even though Anna got shut down by the Canadian protocol lovers, she is determined to find a way to present to the world forum. Luckily, Mother Nature offers her an opportunity. The island nation of Timbal has been hit with a devastating monsoon that has wiped out their power grid and infrastructure. While the world leaders and their protocol try to hatch a rescue plan, Anna launches a rescue ship packed full of blue energy.
On the Mothership, Tyler is happy to see Lisa even though she has been avoiding his calls. Lisa is not so thrilled to see him. She doesn't need to be lead further down the path of temptation into empathy. Although, frankly, I still think it would be difficult for Tyler to lead anyone into anything except repulsion. I mean, he is SO unlikeable. Does he have any redeeming characteristics? Lisa still doesn't understand what he is doing on the ship since she was ignoring his phone calls. He pouts and says he has the sads because mommy and daddy were mean to him and he wanted to be away from home for a while. Lisa softens at that and nods; she needs to be away from home, too. So in what looks to be an exact replica of the intro to Pigs in Space (go look, I'll wait, see??), Lisa and Tyler rocket off for some alone time.
Down on earth, Ryan calls Erica. He can't find Val and he really needs her to pull some illegal FBI magic and track her down. Erica doesn't mind. What's a little light breaching of the Constitution? Alex is explaining to Jack and Kyle how he and his friends tried to meet up with the Fifth Column to get some weapons, but instead a V came and killed everyone. It's like having a surprise party for Mike Myers and Michael Meyers shows up instead. Bummer for everyone. Kyle asks how they set up the meeting and Alex says they coded messages into photographs. Kyle points out the obvious: The Vs hacked their code. Alex looks pretty bummed. Guess he won't get a passing grade in his own computer science class. Kyle suggests that they use the website to send out an SOS and set up a meeting. When the V assassin comes, they'll kill him. Erica likes the plan except for the killing part. She thinks they should keep the guy alive and get some answers.
Up on the Mothership, Joshua and the V in Black debate whether they should report to Anna that Lisa failed her empathy test. Her death would either be a great victory for the Fifth Column, or if she is changing into a humanish reptile, then they would be killing a potentially high-ranking and useful ally. Joshua is fairly convinced that Lisa is changing like they did, but the V in Black isn't so sure. What if this is all a test of Joshua's loyalty? Anna is obviously the type to set up such a trial. The V in Black doesn't think they can ever trust her.
Speaking of Lisa, what do two teenagers do when they are left alone with no adult supervision? Yes, even in outer space teens are a bunch of horn dogs. Lisa wisely covers up her jacket iSight camera so she doesn't give the Visitors the chance to put the 'V' in voyeur. By the way, she is wearing the exact same bra as she was the last time we saw it. I guess neither Agent Provacateur nor Victoria's Secret has had the business sense or foresight to open an on-ship shop for all the lacy needs of the lady Vs. Or maybe underwear makes you empathetic. Anyway, Tyler doesn't care. He strips off his shirt and they roll onto the sofa. He asks if she's okay with this and she says...NO, but then kisses him anyway. I guess the "No Means No" message hasn't reached outer space yet. Let's ship Nancy Reagan out there pronto. Oh shit, is she dead? I think she's dead. Crap. Who has picked up her mantle? Dionne Warwick? Is she dead too? Fuck it. Lisa and Tyler lose their big Vs. By the way, the song they chose to illuminate this magical event? Florence and the Machines "Cosmic Love". I had to Shazam that shit so I would be sure never to accidentally recreate this "special moment" while on a treadmill. Can you choose to NOT have your song played during a deflowering? I'm just saying: CHOICES, people.
Ryan has temporarily given up on his search for Val and stops by HQ to see how Kyle, Erica, and Jack are faring with Alex Caruso and the trap for the V assassin. By the way, based on how the camera zoomed in on the building, it appears the dank basement they are using as temporary headquarters is based in the luxury condo development, One Brooklyn. One bedroom apartments still available for a mere $825,000! Highway view, too! Ryan gives Kyle and Erica some pointers on how to fight a V assassin. He thinks they should bring guns to the inevitable knife fight. Vs always use knives because they are untraceable and don't lead to a lot of questions like a Martian Ultra Lite Ray Gun 2000 would. Still, you know that Medical Examiner on Law and Order would be all, "It was a knife, but I've never seen a blade like that ...on this planet." Erica's office calls for a status update and she tells them about the gunshots on the rooftop and the ensuing NYPD investigation. Rekha Sharma tells her to hurry up because there are more dead bodies. Alex Caruso asks Father Jack why he joined the Fifth Column and Jack claims he had to in order to protect his congregation and his faith; Erica had to join to protect her son (nice job on that one, BTW, he's up in space porking a hairy gecko while you're "protecting him"). Alex joined up because his grandpa was in WWII and his dad fought in Vietnam. This was going to be his fight. His dad told him he wasn't cut out for it -- and he was right. Father Jack gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder as Erica woefully reports that more Fifth Column members have been killed in Tokyo and Sydney and other expensive real estate locations. No one looks happy.
Speaking of expensive real estate, things are changing in Geneva. As Chad Decker reports with totally unbiased language: High Commander Anna's brave and generous act to save the people of Timbale has made her a hero. Praise be to Anna! Her magnanimous gift of Blue Energy has saved countless lives in the monsoon-wracked nation. In thanks, the World Progress Forum has decided to let Anna present her "gift" to the world. She holds up two marbles -- a blue one and a silver one -- holds them to each other and the room fills with electric blue light. Anna intones that Blue Energy is the answer to one of the world's most pressing concerns (obviously the most pressing concern aside from the ALIEN INVASION). Blue Energy is sustainable, non-polluting and requires no infrastructure. To the people of Timbale, it was lifesaving. Everyone oohs and ahhs and then the energy zips back into Anna's hands and she replaces the marbles in a petrie dish. Everyone claps enthusiastically as Anna gives No. 2 a look like, "Haha, they bought it!" and I get, this song stuck in my head. Out in the audience highly professional Chad Decker shouts across the room, "Hey Secretary General! You want to thank Anna, now or send her an Edible Arrangement later?" Chad Decker is not a man for protocol or, apparently, manners. The Secretary General gives him the evil eye and then, since he is on the spot, stands to Anna and thanks her for the contribution. They have a lot to learn from her. He shakes her hand and then high tails it off the stage. Anna shoots No.2 a look this time clearly meaning, "Eat that fucker, before he harshes my mellow!" Obviously Chad can't let the Secretary General get away without further annoyance. The Secretary General has some WORDS for Chad: Anna came to the forum under the pretense of diplomacy, but played politics with tragedy and ended up with a great deal of political clout. Now, if they are just "Visitors", then why does she need political clout? As Chad glances over at Anna surrounded by sheiks and Angela Merkel and African leaders, he looks schooled. As he should.
Erica is over diplomacy. You can tell by the way she loads her Glock. Kyle is giving Alex an earpiece and going over the set up. The assassin will approach Alex, but Kyle will have a sniper rifle trained on him and Erica will have her gun at the ready. Kyle even hands Father Jack a gun, which he reluctantly takes. The meet is set up at a closed amusement park. Alex is obviously extremely nervous, but Father Jack promises him he will be safe, which is probably the stupidest thing you can ever say to someone being used as HUMAN BAIT FOR AN ASSASSIN. I mean, knock on wood or something, Father, sheesh. As they prepare to head out, Erica pulls Ryan aside: She got a trace on Val's cell phone and it's not good news. Val headed to a doctor all right -- A doctor at a Visitor Health Center!
Up on the Mothership, Lisa and Tyler are basking in their post coital glow, holding hands, and giggling as they disembark from the Shuttle of Love. When Joshua approaches the happy couple, Lisa quickly drops Tyler's hand and takes two steps sideways. Joshua coldly tells her that her mother's shuttle will be arriving from Geneva shortly and she has asked to see Lisa first thing upon her arrival. Lisa nods solemnly and turns to Tyler and tells him he has to leave. Mothers don't generally like the boys who deflower their daughters, and with Anna's anger management issues, this is probably a wise decision. Tyler looks hurt and confused by Lisa's rejection. He asks tentatively if he is going to see her tomorrow, but since Lisa is pretty sure she will be dead, she just says, "Goodbye Tyler" and smiles at him. Don't worry, Tyler, this is all excellent fodder for your therapy session with Val, although I'm not sure she is in any condition to help anyone with their mental wellbeing. Tyler trudges slowly off, looking far more dejected than a teenage boy who just got some from a girl who is WAY out of his league should look. Lisa turns to Joshua, stands up straight, and tells him to alert her when her mother arrives. Way to face your destiny, Lisa.
It is night at the amusement park and everyone is in place. Kyle sits in sniper position while Erica and Father Jack are tucked away and Alex Caruso stands smack dab out in the open. They are all ready for the impending knife attack, although they keep stage whispering encouraging words to Alex so I am not sure why they are thinking their presence will be a surprise. The real surprise is that the V assassin brought a gun to a gunfight. He is staked out on the top of a tower with his own sniper rifle. So at least he can't hear them hollering at each other, but he can take shots at Alex. Kyle assures Alex that the sniper can't get a clean shot and Alex needs to not panic and follow Kyle's directions. Obviously Alex panics. He makes a run for it and gets shot in the back. Erica runs after the guy, while Kyle keeps his site trained on Father Jack who is trying to stop Alex from dying and totally breaking his promise to Caruso the Elder. Father Jack's efforts to staunch the bleeding are for naught and he switches to Last Rites. Erica has successfully tracked the killer, but he surprises her and kicks the gun out of her hand. They tussle and suddenly Erica is down and the killer has a gun pointed at her. Before he can shoot Erica in the head and make this show REALLY interesting, he is shot from behind. After watching Alex die in his arms, Father Jack has taken up arms. Erica kicks the assassin while he's down and they pin him. Erica asks Father Jack if he is okay, but he is decidedly NOT okay. As Erica finishes tying up the man, she notices something frightening: He's not a Visitor. He's human.
Onboard the Mothership, Lisa is facing her destiny, her mother, and thousands of her tadpole brethren swimming in their hot tub incubators. Anna tells Lisa that she knows she has asked a lot of her with the assignment to make Tyler fall in love with her. She has handled the task well, which is good because the future of their entire race rests on the task of making a horny, chuckleheaded galoot of a teenage boy fall in love with her hot blonde skin sack. Task well done. Lisa looks pleased, but is waiting for the punchline where Anna says she has to die. Anna continues that their job requires no human emotion, no empathy, no feelings. She reaches into the hot tub and plucks out a single tadpole. It pretty much looks like a cross between a Jello mold and a breast implant (which I know because I watch a lot of Dr. , because I am that sort of girl, apparently). As Anna finishes her speech about how weak the soldier is because he is, you know, FETAL, she takes Lisa's hand and puts it on top of the egg and they SMASH IT with their bare hands just to prove how little empathy and human emotion they have. Family bonding at its finest! Anna congratulates Lisa on passing her empathy test and as Anna leaves to wash her hand (I hope), Lisa looks pensive. Relieved, but pensive.
Chad Decker finds Anna alone looking over her good press from the Timbale rescue operation. He has realized that the only reason she invited him to Geneva was because she knew the Forum wouldn't let her present her Blue Energy. If the monsoon hadn't had such impeccable timing, what would she have done? She smiles sweetly that between Darfur or Myanmar, she had a lot of options. There is tragedy everywhere on earth. I may be naïve, but I don't think Darfur's problems are rooted in a lack of sustainable energy. If Anna is going to be the galaxy's biggest philanthropist, Chad wants to be by her side. Anna swears that she gave Blue Energy to the world as an act of kindness, but Chad has his own theory (that he cribbed from a certain Secretary General): He doesn't think Anna and the Visitors are leaving Earth anytime soon. Anna doesn't exactly answer, but tells Chad that she needs people she can trust. Does Chad trust her?
She stands really close to him as she asks and it is almost an exact reenactment of his dream, except Anna walks away instead of kissing him. I'm sure I am supposed to watch this scene and be, like, getting something from Chad, be it his ambition or desire to help the universe or whether he is simply trying to get close to Anna to expose her to the world, but I just don't totally have the energy to parse every single sentence and dig around for hidden meaning. I don't know if this makes me a lazy viewer, but do I really have to work this hard? I mean, even on Lost or, say, The Real Housewives of New Jersey where every character has some deep and personal motivation for their actions, I don't feel like I am struggling this much to make a connection. There is just something obtuse and overwhelmingly obscure in the interactions between Chad and Anna. I just find them exhausting.
At the kindly neighborhood Visitor Health Center, Val is getting her R6 shot before starting the ultrasound. The doctor takes a two-second look at the screen and knows exactly what he is looking at. Val asks to see the picture of her baby and the doctor says a big old no. When she insists, he puts on his scariest still human face and tells her, "No!" like she's a puppy piddling on the carpet. She gets up to leave as the V makes up a big old syringe of No Good. He shoves Val roughly as she tries to go and wields the syringe. Luckily just then Ryan bursts into the room and gets the guy in a chokehold. He knocks him out and then shoves a suicide pill into his mouth. The guy immolates in front of Val who is full on FREAKED now. But when Ryan holds out his hand and asks her to trust him, she does. They make like a banana and split.
Lisa finds Joshua on the ship and asks him why. He explains it rather simply; someday he will ask her for a favor and she will comply. End of story. Lisa looks simultaneously troubled and relieved. Elsewhere on the ship, No.2 asks Anna why they are giving the humans Blue Energy. Anna explains, once the humans are hooked on Blue Energy, they can turn it off. Somehow she does not add, "BWAH hahahahahaaa."
Instead of calling in the evil assassin as she claimed she was going to, Erica, Kyle and Father Jack have taken the assassin to their luxury underground lair for interrogation. (Underground lairs are only $645,000.) Erica cannot believe that they were betrayed by an actual human being. Kyle decides to wake the guy up with a good morning punch to the face to try and get some answers from him. The guy won't talk to Kyle, but when Erica asks him why he would turn against his own species, the guy replies, "Because we can't win." He may have a point.
Find out what this show's chances are for getting a second season.
Melissa Locker a.k.a. Lulu Bates would definitely pass the empathy test if you made her watch episodes of Emeril Live. You can follow her on Twitter @woolyknickers.
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