"No one here is exactly what they appear."

That line was delivered by the late, great Andreas Katsulas in an episode of the fantastic '90s scifi series Babylon 5, but it could just as easily apply to the crew of the Raza.

I mentioned in the comments of a previous review that Three was becoming my favorite character on this show, and Dark Matter Season 2 Episode 4 only reinforces this sentiment.

Let's start things off by examining the other principal story of this episode, the Android's adventure on the station.

I wonder how many models of android are out there, because no one seemed to recognize Victor as one. Though it's entirely possibly he's modified his appearance.

Victor smelled like bad news to me, the way he casually talked his way into the Android's brain. It makes me wonder if he didn't monkey around with her while he was doing his "diagnostics." Plus there's that emotion chip upgrade that he gave her...

The Android in many ways mirrors the character of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation. An android, trying to understand what it means to be human, obviously.

But whereas Data was actively trying to be more human, the Android considered her emotional growth to be aberrant, a flaw in her programming. Victor informed her when they parted ways that it was, in fact, intentional design, though I'm not sure if I trust him at all.

I'm of mixed feelings about the upgrade chip he gave her. If it gives her the ability to emulate emotions and behave in a humanlike fashion, would it take away from the character that was such a breakout in Dark Matter Season One?

Honestly, I don't know yet. File this one under "wait and see," I guess. Though there really should be a rule about taking upgrades from strange androids.

Meanwhile, Arax made his move to steal the Key (i.e., the MacGuffin that Five stole from a mark, which led to the chain of events that brought her to the Raza). Too bad for him, Five was absolutely ready and already keeping an eye out.

She's a sneaky one, Five.

That kid. You know, I predict that a year or two from now, she'll be the one running the ship.
Devon [about Five]

Permalink: That kid. You know, I predict that a year or two from now, she'll be the one running the ship.

Five also served as the bridge to the other story of this episode, Three's tale. I loved how she went all loan shark on Three, demanding interest (compound interest if he was later than a week paying her back!).

The relationship between Five and Three has been one of the more entertaining ones to watch, as Three treats her more and more like an annoying but loveable kid sister, and Five acts more like the only adult in the room in response.

Anthony Lemke was one again brilliant as Three, who has always been characterized more or less as dumb muscle and a huge, enormous jerk overall. Meeting his old crew, however, made us understand why he was that way.

Larcan Tanner: When I saw you cowering in that closet, something changed. I can't explain it. It was like, all of a sudden, my life had a purpose. I had someone to protect, to take care of.
Three: So you raised me to be a thieving bastard, just like yourself.
Larcan Tanner: I taught you how to protect yourself, I taught you to survive! Now, I understand your anger. But, if the truth be told, all those years growing up, you *knew*. You knew, and you forgave me. Because I looked out for you. And like it or not, you redeemed me.
Three [shoots Larcan under the table]: Maybe. But I don't remember anymore.

Permalink: Maybe. But I don't remember anymore.

Bear in mind that only in the last episode, we actually saw Marcus Boone as Larcan Tanner and his crew knew him: the aforementioned "thieving bastard." Boone would have had no problem with shooting that unfortunate miner with the payroll. Three, though?

Three has a conscience. Thanks to the influence of people like Sarah, One, Five, and Six – people who actually give a flying fig about other people – Three is not Marcus Boone anymore.

On a side note, there were a few big, honking clues that Larcan Tanner wasn't on the level, right from the get-go:

Tanner stated that he raised Marcus Boone as his own. Three even lampshaded this one; he's a self-centered jerk, and he knew that he used to be even worse before the amnesia. So there was a good chance that the guy who raised him was, well... you got it.
The first two items on Tanner's rap sheet, which was clearly visible on the screen in Three's quarters? Murder and kidnapping.

One thing that struck me was just how sad Three's story has been. He had an idyllic childhood, so happy that Five wanted to just lose herself in it while she was experiencing the memories in Season One. And he lost it all. He found a woman who loved him despite his flaws, and she died, too.

Five: Your parents really loved you. You were happy. I wish you could remember.
Three: Me, too, kid. Me, too.

Permalink: Me, too, kid. Me, too.

Lemke imbued Three with such emotion in that exchange you really felt for him, so definite kudos to him.

A few final thoughts before I turn the discussion over to you:

Devon is apparently a drug addict. How long can he possibly keep that hidden from the others? It also reminds us that we really, really don't know anything about him. Why was he in a supermax prison, anyway? And why is he, a doctor, so handy with a gun?
So, Nyx just picks up a weapon and magically knows how to use it, well enough to beat Four (who was raised to weaponry) at his own game? I'm sensing shenanigans.
Speaking of Nyx, she was using her actress's own British accent when she and Two were pretending to be architecture students at the Transfer Transit station, which also brought up our first mention of Earth!
Five drew the picture of the Dwarf Star Industries building on a piece of paper from a sketchbook. So much for a paperless future?
Three got to break out Bubba (the Big Gun!), and put it to fairly impressive use. I guess Five had it set to low power when she used it during the Great Escape in Dark Matter Season Two Episode Two?
Three has been repeatedly shown to be an inferior fighter to the likes of Two and Four. Yet, how many people did he take out on that road, by himself, in a few seconds? Remember, folks, he's a member of the Raza crew for a reason...

Remember to watch Dark Matter online if you haven't already! The next installment, Dark Matter Season 2 Episode 5, "We Voted Not to Space You," is scheduled to air on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 10/9c on Syfy.

So, what did you think of "We Were Family"? Were you glad to get more to Three's story? How will the Android ultimately react to Victor's comments not to trust humans? What do you think about the mysterious key and what it means for the crew of the Raza?