ReviewTrue Family continues the slow simmer that the first episode introduced The Cult with. Once again we are getting more questions than answers as what could be a fairly convoluted plot develops. Jury still out on that as it could be all tied up rather neatly without introducing dozens of new characters or throwing around additional sub plots.This episode primarily focuses on Ryan, Michael's son who seems to be something of a personal favourite of Cult guru Edward. We learn Ryan was a lawyer who was sickened by the scum he had to defend, a wife beater who reckoned “she deserved it” is the final straw and Ryan walks out on his job. Adrift and seeking to strengthen ties with his brother Nathan, who is institutionalised, Ryan runs across Hannah, a blond hottie. We learn Hannah has an agenda of her own, and reading between the lines Ryan was set up to meet Edward and to being indoctrinated into joining the community of Two Gardens. Why this is the case isn't revealed but it does add another complexity to the evolving storyline. Why does Edward need Ryan and will Ryan eventually see through the machinations? Adding a bit of spice to things Daniel Stewart, the dude who has disappeared, previously knew Hannah, what's his story? Since Edward has pretty much asked Ryan to cut his ties with Nathan, yet used Nathan as leverage three years ago to have Ryan join Two Gardens, we can assume Edward has some pretty sinister motives for his interest in Ryan. Michael of course hasn't been sitting on his arse all this time and hatches a plan to get the Police to raid Two Gardens in an attempt to bring things to a head. He has Hugo, the ex SAS hard-man, and a local solar panel dude set up a drugs lab in Two Lakes. The Police duly arrive only to find nothing, there's a security breach in Michaels group at “The Glen”. They have been bugged, but who by? It seems slightly too James Bond for Edward's mob. Oh and in case that isn't enough to wet your appetite for destruction who has Nathan, and are we talking backwoods psycho here. The developing plot promises at lot of intrigue and quite a number of shock surprises as we journey further into the Two Gardens compound. Is Ryan becoming aware that not everything is as it seems? We also learn Grizzly Adams is an old hermit by the name of Keith, no idea on who the naked chick is but going by that eye she is probably an escapee from Two Gardens. Keith is apt to greeting visits with his rifle so no prizes for guessing he isn't in the Two Gardens fan club. With episode two Director Peter Burger is still getting his character motivations happening and layering on the plot. At this stage there's a hell of a lot more questioning going down with the series likely to go in any number of directions. I'm still caught up with the Gothic nature of it all, check the use of dark and light, Ryan's room is dingy and dark while the rest of Two Gardens is light and airy, and am grooving to the plot developments as they roll. There's clearly a bigger game afoot here than is obvious from the first two episodes but Burger isn't giving anything away on that score so we are all caught up waiting on the latest breaking news. In case you are wondering I'm reviewing each episode directly after watching it and am trying to spread things out a bit and mull over what is going down. I did find True Family to be effected by some camera shakes in parts, it's noticeable but equally it's not going to have anyone chundering. Burger has gone with an almost reality feel to things in some scenes, you are right in the action, which naturally is going to bring limitations to the number of cameras and angles he has to employ. It's actually pretty stunning filming and adds a new dimension in amongst the more traditional scenes. I'm actually quite happy with the Director's approach as there is an immediacy going down and a feeling that the characters are racing the clock in some scenes. Burger shows he can do tension when required as Hugo narrowly avoids detection while setting up the drug lab in Two Gardens. Probably the only thing Burger isn't delivering at this stage are some action scenes, but as stated we are still in the set up with no doubt plenty of down and dirty heading our way in due course. There's certainly at least one Psycho wandering around in the woods, though I'm thinking it's not the dude who has grabbed Nathan. I'm probably underselling this episode slightly here by high lightening the two major plot devices in use, Ryan's background and Michael's insane plan, as there is a lot more going down than those two items. We are getting plenty of internal strife between the various characters, a lot of baggage has been brought along to The Glen, and Michael is going to have to watch his back as at least one person is prepared to sell him out in order to get what they want. Okay got to pull the pin here due to our new word length, but will close with saying I'm really digging The Cult based on the first two episodes. Things are being built slowly but steadily and it's becoming increasingly difficult not to rush ahead with the episodes.
ScaryMinds Rates this episode as ... We're at a slow simmer but the aromas are mighty fine!
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