Director	Charlie Haskell
Writers	David Brechin-Smith, Peter Cox
Starring	Renato Bartolomei, Latham Gaines, Gareth Reeves, Kate Elliott, Danielle Cormack, Scott Wills, Rachel Nash, Andrew Grainger
Genre	Thriller
Tagline	None Listed
Country

Review

Some research, i.e. checking out a few New Zealand websites, indicates thus far that there has only been one season of The Cult with apparently no moves being made to attempt anything additional. This is strange given how well the show rated but could maybe be explained by a general lack of interest from foreign networks. You would think the first session would sell particular well to SBS here in Australia, the BBC in Britain, and whatever passes for a quality network in the U.S. What has however got a number of fans upset is the lack of explanation for a number of questions apparently left unanswered at the end of season 1. I would suggest at the very least that a television movie is put together to offer closure, similar to what happened when Stargate SG1 was inexplicably canned. Just a thought really, and as I haven't seen the last few episodes I have no idea what is or isn't left unanswered.

The Liberators are starting to realise that Jenni is catatonic and are wondering why. Annabelle examines Jenni but cannot determine what is wrong with her, though Annabelle does notice that both Jenni and Nathan have the same puncture wound on their left retinas. The decision is made to attempt to kidnap Cynthia Ross in order to discover what has been done to Jenni and Nathan. Meanwhile Edward North discovers he has been lied to by his own followers after Saul admits to helping Jenni escape. Edward wants Jenni back and questions Cynthia who tries to divert attention by showing Edward Hannah's file. Later Ryan confides in Andy that Hannah is pregnant and Andy takes the information to Edward who reacts completely different to what Andy might have expected. Edward, perhaps giving in to increasing paranoia, has the boundary fences of Two Gardens electrified. Jenni is recaptured by Momentum in a shock development.

If we ever needed proof that Cynthia Ross is a cold hearted manipulative bitch monster then this episode provides it. She is playing people off against each other in Two Gardens for her own, as yet unknown, motives, and when faced by the Liberators proceeds to play with their minds. However a shock scene toward the end of the episode might indicate that Cynthia isn't the only one trying to manipulate the Liberators. Once again we learn that not everyone is who they might seem or want to appear to be.

There's a few characters who have outlived their usefulness and the show really does need to jettison some before proceeding much further.

In a series of flashbacks, I counted five which is petty extensive, we get the back story on Annabelle and her brother Andy. Five years previously the siblings had been sharing a flat in Auckland after the death of their mother with Annabelle helping Andy to cope with life. The feeling is Annabelle has become slightly too clingy, in a sort of disturbing psychological fashion, especially when it comes to Andy's new girlfriend Beth. Seems Beth suffered from a life threatening condition and to complicate matters is pregnant with Andy's baby. Andy fled to Australia after Beth died of a morphine overdose, with some very firm indications as to who supplied her with the drug. Would explain Gina and Anabelle's belligerant stance to each other. Andy is becoming an increasingly important character in the season after only minor walk on appearances in the first few episodes.

Director Charlie Haskell has this pound puppy on a leash and nails about every second of screen time with some very slick movie making. There's a lot being conveyed in a very short time, with the Director getting the most out of every character expression and every scene as he makes what is a fairly convoluted episode concise and effective. Even with the flashback scenes the pace builds throughout I Know Best with no lagging interfering with the various story lines. For dark genre fans the piano scene at the start of the episode is particularly effective, Haskell would be my first choice for a haunted house movie, he nails the atmosphere and tension of the moment.

What is notable is that tensions are rising within both groups as loyalties are shown to be secondary to personal considerations. Andy is concerned that Ryan is getting special treatment and wonders why the rules are being changed to accommodate Ryan. For his part Ryan wonders if the new electrified fences are to keep people in or keep people out. We already know that Cynthia and Saul are prepared to play outside Edward North's instructions. Conversely Michael is having huge problems with Harris and really should jettison him and Francis sooner rather than later. By episode end we also know another one of the Liberators is definitely not what he/she would have people believe, there might be a slight plot hole coming up there, but we'll wait and see. I've also got a feeling that Edward is becoming increasingly paranoid and someone is going to use this against him before too many more episodes have elapsed.

Guess I had a good time with the episode, it was certainly fast paced and had some very solid moments. Not entirely sure if we don't need some closure on a few of the plot arcs, and whether a few of the characters have outlived their usefulness. Still rocking along with it and the major questions raised are intriguing to say the least. If you haven't dialled into the series yet then get converted ASAP.

ScaryMinds Rates this episode as ...