In the sixth episode of the second season of The Strain, Eph concocts a plan to make and distribute a bioweapon. Gus realizes Angel can be an unlikely ally, and Kelly comes after Nora and Zack.

This episode does something the entire season has been doing well, showing how bureaucracy is as much to blame for the situation in New York as anything else. You can see this with the obstacles of what Eph has to go through, and sign away, to get his bioweapon in front of the right people. To me, this aspect of the series and story is the most fascinating of them all, and makes me want to see a series completely focused on just this aspect.

The scenes with Gus and Angel are interesting. I’m trying to figure out where that’s completely going. There’s also some movement on the Master himself and those working to take him down. It’s best to watch those, I definitely don’t want to spoil the former.

The final major plot is Kelly going after Nora and Zack. As can be expected in these types of situations, choices made aren’t the best. Instead of closing doors and driving away, folks run, etc. It’s the usual silliness you expect from this sort of genre. But it also helps move along the plot and story.

I will say, there is a big disappointment in the episode and the series. Warning, this is a SPOILER!!!!

Ok, you’ve been warned.

Just as the series finds an African American character to join the group, he winds up getting killed off. While it’s an interesting emotional moment, the series seems to have an issue that plagues The Walking Dead, where those with darker skin tend to get killed off rather easily. This is also a character who had some interesting potential that could have been explored more.

END SPOILER!!!!

Overall, the episode is another solid one deepening the conspiracy and upping the action. Some of the make-up still has issues, it’s not as prevalent. Overall, The Strain continues to be an entertaining summer show, and this is another solid episode.

Overall rating: 7.5