Liam Hoofe reviews the ninth episode of Marvel’s Runaways…
The success of Marvel’s Runaways so far has been largely down to its willingness to take its time. The show has spent several weeks building its characters, creating plenty of mysteries and generally, just leaving fans wanting that little bit more. Episode 9 of the show ‘Doomsday’, while not quite delivering the seismic disaster that the title might suggest, managed to answer several of the show’s biggest mysteries and also give fans several of the moments they have been so eagerly anticipating.
Like a lot of the episodes this season, ‘Doomsday’ opened with a flashback, this time taking us back to the death of Molly’s parents, which has been one of the show’s biggest mysteries to date. In the flashback, we saw that they were, rather unsurprisingly, killed by PRIDE and in an even darker revelation, it looks as though the group also wanted Molly written off as well.
While the parents have taken centre stage for the last few episodes of the show, the central group were back in the limelight this week, and the show’s plot accelerated because of it. In a moment that was sure to delight fans, the group finally decided to name themselves the Runaways, a decision made in honour of those who didn’t get the chance to escape from PRIDE. The group also saw a video intended for them left by Molly’s parents. In the video, they revealed that PRIDE were digging for something and whatever it is, it is going to cause cataclysmic events. This turned out to be just what the group needed after spending the last few episodes at a bit of a loose end.
Sadly for the group, though, Frank, the one parent who is not a part of PRIDE’s plan, betrayed Karolina and told Jonah everything she has told him. This, of course, led to Jonah telling the group that their children have been on to them the whole time. This is one of the episode’s biggest reveals, with PRIDE now aware that they are going to have to take on their own children. It is also an interesting development for Frank, he clearly has a weak resolve and his desire to seek approval from Victor will definitely be manipulated in the final few weeks.
In a happier moment for the show, Gert and Chase finally got it on in a moment that will have had fanboys everywhere pumping their fists. While the two kind of agreed it was a one-off, we all know that isn’t going to be the case, with Chase clearly having developed feelings for her. Karolina also finally embraced her feelings this episode and kissed Nico. It was a nice moment for Karolina, one that really shows how far she has come as a character, and it will no doubt have interesting ramifications for Nico and Alex going forward.
The episode ended with a moment fans have been waiting for since episode 1- the group, now united, finally decided to face their parents and take down their school building project. It gave us a chance to see what the group are capable of as a unit, with several members using their powers to damage the project. The episode closed with the group powering up to show their strength in front of their parents, and it looks as though we are now one step closer to the group living up to their name.
After spending the last few weeks focused on the parents, Runaways returned to its titular group this week and the show felt all the stronger for it. The episode raced by, dropping big reveal after big reveal and setting us on course for what will no doubt be an explosive finale.
Liam Hoofe
