Dominion – “Broken Places” Review. The Trouble With Angels.

Season 1, Episode 3

Airdate: Thursday, July 3, 2014, 10/9c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

“Murder is a crime for men. Is it a crime for angels?” – Archangel Michael

The latest episode of Syfy’s Dominion, appropriately titled “Broken Places,” follows up on the whereabouts of Sgt. Alex Lannon (Christopher Egan) as he ventures outside of Vega to the city of New Delphi. Archangel Gabriel’s (Carl Beukes) screen time allows us a better perspective on what makes him tick when his plans to destroy humanity take an unexpected turn for the worse. Meanwhile, Vega’s Senate discusses how they can further protect their citizens and homes from attacks by using enemy spies and lower level angels.

Alex finds unexpected challenges on his way to New Delphi.

On the Road

“Broken Places” does an excellent job of furthering the plot by expanding on Alex’s backstory. His travel to New Delphi is a perfect way to engage viewers because it is as foreign to us as it is to him. Prior to “Broken Places,” much of the context of the story comes from the original source material in the movie Legion. Since the most significant part of Dominion centers on Alex embracing his path as the Chosen One, we need to see more of his personal growth in other areas, not just his love life. It is remarkable how much more interesting Dominion becomes when it dials down the romantic elements.

After Archangel Michael (Tom Wisdom) interferes with Alex’s plans for escape, we see them bond in ways that are long overdue. Arriving at his childhood home, Alex’s memories become plagued with images of his father’s torment and struggle to protect him from Gabriel. It’s also at this point that Michael reveals Alex’s father Jeep (Langley Kirkwood) didn’t want to abandon him. Michael’s words of love and concern are a welcome surprise. Until this moment, Michael has been level headed and in control, but seeing him shed tears gives weight to how important Alex is to him.

As if the past is repeating itself, another fight breaks out between Michael and one of Gabriel’s angels, leading to a major cliffhanger that will definitely be a significant turning point for Alex and Michael; together, they share some of the best scenes in Dominion thus far.

Not all 8-balls are the same.

Better the Devil You Know Than the Devil You Don’t

One of the elements of Dominion revolves around humans who have been possessed by lower level angels called “8 balls.” Although previous episodes have touched on this subject, there still hasn’t been any revelation about the mythology of the various kinds of angels. In “Broken Places,” there is a heavy emphasis on the difficulty in distinguishing humans from angels. In addition, the news that there are angels and archangels who choose to be neutral is a great additional plot point. Michael reveals to the Senate, desperate to find a solution about the growing violence in the city, that his brethren, “Raphael” and “Uriel,” are neutral. But, it’s not until Michael issues an ultimatum to a fellow angel that neutrality is no longer an option. Now that the Chosen One is on his path, Michael’s decision to force his other brothers’ hands will up the ante in upcoming episodes. What’s great is that we finally see the world of Dominion expand in more fascinating ways because the inclusion of more outside forces in the battle between angels and humans creates more opportunities for the unexpected.

Overall

Archangel Gabriel’s mysterious human cult following.

The performances are much stronger this week. Gabriel has some great scenes and dialogue that reveal more depth to his character. Beukes does an amazing job of delivering his lines with conviction, using his eyes to convey effectively what words cannot. Principate William Whele (Luke Allen-Gale) toes the line between creepy and sympathetic as his religious devotion and alliance to Gabriel proves he means what he says and says what he means. In one scene, we witness the initiation rites for those who choose to follow Gabriel; it is a violent and chilling moment that, without William saying much, reveals the extent of his devotion.

Episodic writers Dario Scardapane and Damien Ober approach the primary storylines in “Broken Places” in a succinct and direct way without any unnecessary scenes, creating a better pace and overall tone for the episode. The performances are solid, and a lot of the production, from its special effects to the props, continues to impress me. The tension in the latter half of “Broken Place” has a wonderful pace that allows the suspense to be at its peak for viewers, particularly when several surprising turns of events illustrate how complex Alex’s life will be as the Chosen One. Overall, I like how Dominion is taking big strides and improving upon the flaws plaguing some of the character development. The storylines are more open-ended, leaving room for growth and making the show definitely more interesting to watch.

What did you think of the “Broken Places?” Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @conallen.

Tune in to Dominion on Thursdays at 9/8c, only on SyFy.

Follow the series on its official site at www.syfy.com/dominion, where you can also watch videos and clips of the episodes. Also, like the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DominionSyfy.