Originally published December 20, 2017. Updated April 19, 2018.
Liam Hoofe reviews the seventh episode of Marvel’s Runaways…
In recent episodes of Marvel’s Runaways, the group’s parents and their association with PRIDE has taken centre stage in the show and more often than not, been more interesting than the children’s storylines. This week’s episode was no different, with the episode focusing on Victor Stein and the mysterious healing powers of Jonah.
At the end of the last episode, we saw Jonah save Victor from death and this week’s episode opened with a flashback to the first meeting between Victor and his wife Janet at college. This provided us with an interesting insight into Victor’s character, we also saw Victor and Janet taking Chase home for the first time, before jumping forward to Victor being the abusive father we met at the start of the season. Victor is one of the show’s most interesting characters and there is definitely an event that triggered the change in his personality. My guess is that it is one linked to Jonah, and whatever it was that he had to sell the Steins.
We also saw Victor receiving a message from his son in the future telling him not to pick up the Fistigons – an ominous warning that will have deadly ramifications for the character at the end of the show.
While the focus here was definitely on Victor, the rest of the parents still got plenty of time in the spotlight, with the episode using the same narrative device it used last week – a social event to bring everybody together to air their dirty laundry. There was tension between The Yorkes and The Wilders after Molly revealed to The Wilders last week what she had witnessed. Tina and Robert’s relationship was on the rocks following last week’s revelation from Victor, while Leslie was forced to reveal the truth to her husband about her past relationship with Jonah.
Jonah’s healing powers were also brought front and centre this episode, with Dale Yorke accidentally touching himself with Jonah’s DNA, leading to some of the episode’s funniest moments. What was interesting, though, was the ‘come-down’ that he suffered following the initial high from the healing. This was an indication of what was to come for Victor, who slowly but surely began to crumble as the episode progressed.
The children, much like their parents, remain divided, but the episode didn’t feel all too focused on them. We saw Molly struggling to find acceptance after she told the group she had accidentally revealed her secret to The Wilders, and we saw a little development between Nico and Alex, but this episode was more about the parents.
The episode saved its most shocking moment till the end, though, when after a fight with Chase, Victor picked up the Fistigons and prepared to kill his own son, only to be shot down, presumably dead, by his wife, Janet. Victor’s death, if that is what it is, will have a huge impact on the rest of PRIDE, especially with the group being so divided at the current moment. It could also be the catalyst for the group running away, especially with the Yorkes reluctantly planning to send Molly away.
‘Refraction’ like every episode of Runaways, did a great job of answering several questions and then providing us with a several more. Putting the focus on Victor, one of the show’s more enigmatic characters, was a nice touch and the shock ending promises to have huge implications for the show going forward. I would like to see more of the kids in next week’s episode but the parents never fail to make compelling viewing.
What did you think of ‘Refraction’? Let us know in the comments below, and let us know on Twitter @liamhoofe
