Treadstone Season 1 Episode 5 Review: The Bentley Lament
Paul Dailly
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SoYun can't be dead.
Treadstone Season 1 Episode 5 was another action-packed installment of this USA Network drama. It moved along at a brisk pace, with more high-stakes fights than before.
SoYun left her son on Treadstone Season 1 Episode 4 intending to returning home, but that's not on the cards for her.
The Cicada realized the writing was on the wall the moment she heard her journey out of North Korea, and over to China was only a one-way affair.
It was a delivery mission that was fated to be her last. The looks of anguish on her face when she realized she left her son's teddy bear behind was sad.
She understood there was no option to get back off the boat, so the only part of her son she had with her was forever lost.
Delivering the package to another country was one thing, but it was obvious she was going to find herself in trouble along the way.
If we've learned one thing from this show so far, it's that things aren't easy for these Cicadas. They have deeply rooted mental issues as a result of the rigorous training to brainwash them.
You said that you had finally found your true purpose.
Man
SoYun is no different, but she had to do what Shin told her or, her family would be at risk. Fighting the other Cicada made for some great set pieces, but it was easy to side with SoYun.
We've been with her since Treadstone Season 1 Episode 1. The other Cicada has yet to be developed, but the final fight was constructed in a way that subverted expectations.
The obligatory "who got shot?" portion felt predictable because the Cicada without a name looked in pain. I can't be the only one that let out the most audible gasp when SoYun fell to the ground, and the other woman trotted off with a damning document about the Stiletto Six.
The mark of a good show is when it shocks you, and Treadstone has successfully done that with every new episode to date. The action in North Korea feels like it's only just beginning, so for that reason, SoYun should live to slay another day.
What did you people do to me? It's like I was someone else. They turned me into a monster.
Doug
Shin probably wanted to rid of SoYun when he realized she was working with an opposing force against him. It's horrible that he knew her family's life was on the line, and he lured her into a false sense of security.
Then again, how do we know that Shin is the ringleader in all of this? The narrative takes place over the world, so decisions could be coming from people we haven't even met yet.
A revenge arc for SoYun would work well for several reasons. Without any formal identification or resources, she will face an uphill battle to return home.
It sucks for her, but something tells me she'll side with one of the other Cicadas to get her own back on the people pulling strings. It's inevitable at this stage.
With so many Cicadas we've yet to meet, it could be one of them.
Man: You weren't meant to come back.
Randolph: I was here before? For how long? Please.
Doug could be another one to go rogue. When the news gets back that Samantha killed the agent, a bounty will probably be put on both of them.
Until then, Doug is ready and willing to carry out his missions to keep himself safe. The blueprints that keep popping up have something to do with the Cicadas remembering where to go on missions.
Samantha brushed it off when Doug found the blueprint in the folder on Treadstone Season 1 Episode 4. It's another thing that makes Samantha look like she's still hiding things.
Her crocodile tears don't wash with me, and it looks like Doug is starting to wisen up to her. She wants everyone to think she's defenseless and has been dragged into this conspiracy, but there's more to her than meets the eye.
She only used one bullet to kill the agent. There's so much about her that doesn't add up, and before long, Doug will cut her loose and go off on his own.
There was immediate guilt for Doug when he killed the woman from the photo. He knew completing the mission would keep the agents at bay for another while. That's what allowed him to kill her without thinking about it.
Now, it's a waiting game to see if he gets offered another mission or if there will be a cleanup operation to wipe him from existence.
It would make for a robust arc to have his path cross with SoYun's. Together, they could put the pieces together to get the answers they need to take the villains down.
Then there was Randolph. Does anyone want to hug him and tell him everything's going to be okay? Every single time he thinks he's getting somewhere, he winds up fighting for his life.
It was chilling the way the bar got empty in a matter of seconds. It was as though they were prepared for him to show up. The twist of fate here was that these people were genuinely scared of Randolph.
He had no clue he was being used to terrorize people. The most concerning thing is that we have yet to meet him in the present. Maybe we're being led to believe he dies in the '70s.
Tara's trip to Ghana let this particular episode down. Aside from the final scenes, it was mostly talking with minimal action. Sebastien is integral to the next stage of the mission.
But I couldn't have cared less about their past.
That's all I got, Treadstone Fanatics.
What did you think of the two Cicadas fighting? What will SoYun do next if she survives? Do you think Randolph is alive in the present?
Hit the comments below.
Remember you can watch Treadstone online right here via TV Fanatic.
Treadstone airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on USA Network.
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Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.
