From Dusk till Dawn: The Series, Season 1, Episode 2, “Blood Runs Thick”
Written by Diego Gutierrez
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Airs Tuesdays at 9pm (ET) on El Rey Network
“Do not miss the importance of being self-sufficient”
The first episode of From Dusk till Dawn: The Series was a surprising success. Spry, funny, and campy, its pilot was a great introduction to the show. The series’ biggest challenge moving forward will be keeping up the momentum of the premiere and keeping the audience interested in characters we’re already familiar with from the movie.
“Blood Runs Thick” picks up almost directly where the pilot left off. We finally get flashbacks to the Gecko brothers’ disastrous bank robbery and get our first introduction to the Fuller family, disillusioned former preacher Jacob (Robert Patrick), daughter Kate (Madison Davenport), who’s looking to escape with her scripture quoting boyfriend, and adopted brother Scott (Brandon Soo Hoo).
Of course, we know where the Fullers end up, just like all the other characters, but the expansion we get on their backstories is one of the best things about the show. Getting to see more of the people that we’re already familiar with is helping the show establish itself and stand on its own two feet.
It doesn’t hurt that From Dusk till Dawn: The Series has some amazing dialogue. Sure it’s a little over the top at times, but it works. Just see Richie (Zane Holtz) and Seth’s (D.J. Cotrona) opening, irony-laden monologue just before we see them rob the bank. It’s full of talk about living a more meaningful life and how both brothers have changed during Seth’s prison time. That single conversation seems to encapsulate what’s been so great about the first two episodes. It’s funny, it shows the great chemistry between Holtz and Cotrona, it’s surprising and ironic.
The night’s best moments, though come from the flashbacks. It was alluded to in the film and the first episode, but the robbery and shootout that follow are perfectly executed. Not only do they give us a chance to see something fresh but they give us another glimpse at Richie’s mental instability. At this point we know vaguely where the show is going, but what’s happening to Richie is the far more intriguing and entertaining element to play out.
“Blood Runs Thick” isn’t without its issues. Even though it’s only their first appearance, not a lot is done to make the Fullers likeable or relatable. Kate seems a little bratty and Jacob isn’t exactly sympathetic- even if all of that is understandable. The same can be said for Carlos (Wilmer Valderama). Clearly his character is going to be a massive part of the show but it’s hard to muster up very much curiosity for him.
“Blood Runs Thick” might only be the second episode, but it keeps the energy of the pilot and raises enough questions to keep the viewer interested. As this reviewer noted last week, Holtz is a great performer and he’s a standout once again this week, as is his chemistry with Cotrona. There are a few minor issues but they don’t stop From Dusk till Dawn: The Series from being great fun.
Tressa Eckermann