Shorts Review: Red vs. Blue Season 13, Episode 7 “Locus of Control”

Spoilers Below:

After covering season 11 of Red vs. Blue way back when, ol’ Gonzo Green is back midway through season 13 to take over the reins. And what a weird episode on which to make a return.

It began with members of Felix & Locus’ team investigating the main temple hub and its mysterious beam, and they concluded it was some sort of teleportation gateway. In addition, ancient writing on the temple walls indicated that only a true warrior, “a being of great strength and mental clarity,” could enter. After Felix kicked in a random soldier to test it (who eventually reemerged unharmed), Felix & Locus decided to go in together.

Elsewhere, Sharkface revealed to Counselor Price that once upon a time, the freelancers critically injured him and killed his fellow soldiers and friends, and that this job is more than just a paycheck to him. Sharkface also got Price to admit that he would kill the ones responsible for landing him in prison, if the opportunity presented itself.

Inside the “gateway,” Locus was confronted with a confusing situation in which he was ambushed by numerous UNSC soldiers that he apparently once knew, one of whom appeared to be a younger version of himself. He expressed his puzzlement, but could not be understood by the men. Young Locus sympathized with himself (still following?) and was quickly chastised by a superior for not simply acting like a solider with a job. Locus then opened fire in anger, and suddenly returned to the real world. Felix reported that he also saw “shit straight out of my nightmares.”

As soon as the group departed, Carolina, Dr. Grey, and the blues arrived.

In Case You Missed It:

1) “I won’t. Lose. I won’t lose.” Was this the first time Locus was ever directly responsible for a joke? Because it feels like it is.

2) Wouldn’t a Wilhelm Scream have been perfect for when the soldier was kicked into the gateway?

Thus far in season 13, the quality arc has been clear. It started off with two very strong showings, followed by two pretty good ones, followed by two decent, business-related episodes. By that, I mean they were used to set-up or progress the plot (or both) and didn’t have much of the signature Red vs. Blue humor. Then again, neither did the season premiere, and that was an almost-perfect episode. But it had action, it had chilling darkness, and it had surprises & twists. It may not have contained what Red vs. Blue is best known for – mainly, the Reds & Blues – but as an introduction to a new season, it was fantastic. (And honestly, it would have been great at any point in any season.)

Which brings us to episode 7. This installment also only had a cup of coffee with just a few of the blues, and lacked the intensity that has been so intriguing in past plot-heavy episodes.

Don’t get me wrong, it was still an interesting episode, but the Sharkface/Counselor half-assed psychoanalysis scene was a bit boring and seemed like it was trying too hard. It was like watching a dialogue scene from a video game. I’m sure it is necessary for the plot, but it came off flat.

I’m definitely curious to see how Locus and Felix’s inner demons will come back into play in future episodes, given that it was a bit surprising to know that they exist at all. Both guys essentially seemed like soulless, emotionless robots for the longest time, but now their gateway experiences appear to be confirmation that neither possess “mental clarity.” Still, it will be a lot more interesting to see what happens when the Reds or Blues or Freelancers enter the gateway, as, to be frank, I care to know about them a lot more. I’m not sure if Hargrove’s threats on Locus & Felix’s lives last week were supposed to present a humanizing moment for them, but it didn’t work then, and it’s not working now.

Death to the space pirates.