Despite being represented as episode 11 of Season 1, the DVD set I got actually puts the episodes in the correct order, than how it was originally aired. So "Falco" would have been the second episode of Season 1 of this DC comic adaptation. The story is kind of fragmented, as it expands on some sequences from the first episode. Namely that of Dr. Arcane. What begins is a funeral, where someone in a trench coat and arm sling in the nearby shrubs takes a shot at the local sheriff. Or that's what we are to believe. But Jim pointed him out, causing him to miss his shot and flee into the swamps. Dr. Arcane becomes interest in getting Jim to describe the man. Dr. Arcane goes about trying to figure out who the shooter was, thinking that it might just be one of his experiments gone wrong wanting revenge. Unknowingly to him he's being watched by the man. So the stranger heads back to the swamp to retrieve his gun, to only encounter the swamp thing and then long-winded discussion occurs. Where motivations are questioned and surprises revealed, as the stranger eventually has to make a choice on what path he may head (vengeance or saving a life) with Swamp thing to guide the way.
This episode is rather flimsy, as things just leisurely happen and are just too simple in its strange layout with a lacklustre closing. The story has an interesting basis, but the execution has no life. Swamp-thing and the stranger have this metaphorical speech mid-way through, which just drags with its distractingly preachy nature. The dialogues weren't its strong point. The only thing that holds your attention within that sequence is the striking backdrop, Swamp thing's costume design (creative work all round) and Peter Mark Richman's tailored performance as the stranger. Mark Lindsay Chapman as Dr. Arcane only has a few scenes, but again just oozes with confidence and a certain disquieting shade. Somewhat silly and hasty episode, but there's something quite dark about this comic-based melodrama that keeps you gripped.
"Nature gives life. Nature takes it away".
This episode is rather flimsy, as things just leisurely happen and are just too simple in its strange layout with a lacklustre closing. The story has an interesting basis, but the execution has no life. Swamp-thing and the stranger have this metaphorical speech mid-way through, which just drags with its distractingly preachy nature. The dialogues weren't its strong point. The only thing that holds your attention within that sequence is the striking backdrop, Swamp thing's costume design (creative work all round) and Peter Mark Richman's tailored performance as the stranger. Mark Lindsay Chapman as Dr. Arcane only has a few scenes, but again just oozes with confidence and a certain disquieting shade. Somewhat silly and hasty episode, but there's something quite dark about this comic-based melodrama that keeps you gripped.
"Nature gives life. Nature takes it away".
