Along with releasing the first episode of The Institute earlier today, MGM+ also treated viewers to the second episode, making for a double premiere. Episode 2 finally explains what the ominous-sounding "shots for dots" test is and what it entails. Outside of the lab, Luke (Joe Freeman) and Nicky (Fionn Laird) consider how they might plan an escape.
Back in the town of Dennison, we get to watch Ben Barnes run around charming people as Tim. He quickly becomes something of a small town hero, and the town's resident "crazy" lady Annie (Mary Walsh) finally mentions the Institute for the first time. For now, these two storylines remain distinct from one another, to the point that I'm not sure how certain elements will tie together, but more on that later.
The second episode is a step up over the first, though it does throw quite a lot of information at viewers that I imagine won't make a ton of sense until we're further into the season. Beware FULL SPOILERS for Episode 2 below.
The Institute Episode 2 review: "Shots for Dots"
This episode begins introducing us to some of the more complex inner workings of the Institute, revealing that there is a lot happening behind the scenes and multiple parties involved that go well beyond Ms. Sigsby (Mary-Louise Parker). Even though Sigsby is the head of the facility, she answers to a boss, a mysterious man kept off screen (set up for an eventual cameo?) who instructs Sigsby and Trevor Stackhouse (Julian Richings) to find a replacement for their "snatch" team after Michelle was dispatched. Sigsby volunteers Michelle's murderer, Kate (Jordan Alexander).
The conversation between Sigsby, Stackhouse, and their boss casts a different light on the facility's hierarchy, a theme for this episode. Initially it seemed like Sigsby was Stackhouse's superior, and she might be in title, but he makes a snide comment about her not having the "clearance" for their phone call, right in front of their boss. Evidently their relationship is more combative than it first appeared, with both of them having different agendas. I don't think Stackhouse is loyal to Sigsby. He mentions his desire for financial gain several times throughout the episode.
Episode 2 makes an effort to humanize Sigsby by showing her at home and letting us listen to a phone conversation she's having with her father, who's in a retirement home. Instead of telling her dad the truth, Sigsby has built a lie that she is a third-grade teacher. Another interesting scene reveals that Sigsby and Dr. Hendricks (Robert Joy) are sleeping together, though neither seems happy about it, begging the question of why? It's a weird, short sequence that quickly establishes their distaste for one another. Hendricks has to take a pill first. Sigsby doesn't even want to look at him naked. Maybe they're trying to produce their own super-powered kid?
The good doctor has no loyalty to Sigsby. Tucked away in shady corners and dark streets, Stackhouse and Hendricks scheme behind Sigsby's back. Stackhouse is interested in Luke and wants Hendricks to see how far his talent truly extends, believing that he could be considered for a "PC" role. The show doesn't explain what a PC is yet, but book readers will know. Stackhouse is courting interest from several people willing to pay big money for whatever they're doing with these PCs and whatever is happening in the Back Half. Another term, "keyholes," gets tossed around a few times. It's all a little obscure, though I'm sure we'll be provided more context in later episodes.
Speaking of the teens and their potential, the staff holds an eerie "graduation" party for Iris (Birva Pandya) as they celebrate her graduating from the Front Half and being relocated to the Back Half. Iris is terrified of leaving her friends behind, especially since none of them know exactly what happens in the other part of the building. Nicky doesn't think Iris will ever be seen again. While the party is happening, poor George (Arlen So) is being put through the "Dream Box" test, which essentially forces the test taker to experience their own personal horror movie. He's supposed to be the next recruit to head to the Back Half.
Hendricks administers Luke's first "shots for dots" test. After receiving a painful injection in his arm, Luke is instructed to inform Hendricks if he sees any colorful dots. Apparently no one expects him to see anything during his first test, but they don't stop giving him shots in an effort to force his abilities to surface.
When the teens aren't in testing, Nicky and Luke begin formulating a plan for an eventual escape. They hope to flip one of the staff members, possibly Maureen (Jane Luk), the only one who is regularly kind to them all and has even tipped them off to parts of the facility where the microphones can't pick up what they're saying. I'm glad they mentioned that because I was definitely wondering why these kids were having conversations like that out in the open.
Throughout the episode and the reveals about what's happening amongst upper management, there is a genuine sense of pressure for Sigsby and her team to recruit more children. At the end of the episode, a 10-year-old telepath named Avery (Viggo Hanvelt) is admitted and the other kids find him crying in the hallway in the middle of the night. Kalisha realizes that Avery is an extremely powerful TP, the strongest she's ever met, and Luke and Nicky believe he could be exactly what they need to escape, as a strong telepath could read the minds of the staff members and give them an edge.
A small-town hero
In Dennison, Tim has started to fall into a routine. He regularly checks in on Annie, the woman known for touting wild conspiracies. Specifically, she's been harassing a woman named Mrs. Sloan about her dead daughter. Annie thinks the circumstances of her daughter's death were suspicious and keeps trying to convince her mother of that.
Tim bonds with deputy Wendy Gullickson (Hannah Galway), who tells him about a pair of armed robbers who might come into town soon. Tim refuses to carry a gun, but agrees to keep an eye out and inform the cops if he sees anything suspicious.
While chatting with Annie on his Night Knocker patrol, she finally mentions the Institute and the weird rumors she's hard about the place. But their conversation is interrupted by gunshots. Yep, the robbers have arrived. Hours before this, Tim had gotten to know the owner of a town general store and the guy was incredibly kind, discussing his life as a refugee and how Maine is a fresh beginning. So of course he gets shot. Thankfully, Tim arrives in time to prevent him from bleeding out and uses his cop skills to inform a bumbling officer that he needs to put out an APB for the suspects.
I would have been so pissed if that man had died, especially because it's just so cliché to introduce someone extremely nice, show them being hopeful for the future, and then immediately kill them as a cheap ploy to raise the emotional stakes.
Verdict
"Shots for Dots" is a strong episode and a step up from the premiere, but it also tries to juggle a lot of different pieces simultaneously. The Institute content is successful and I really enjoy watching the performances from Richings, Parker, and Joy as head staff Stackhouse, Dr. Hendricks, and Sigsby, but I'm unsure how Tim's storyline is going to tie in.
Right now, Tim is almost too good of a character, to the point that he would be boring if Barnes wasn't so charismatic. I'm not yet sure I fully understand why his role was significantly expanded for the show, but I'm certainly intrigued to see where this is going. At the moment, I can't help but wonder if the show wouldn't have been better off keeping Tim's part small, allowing for the scenes that take place within the Institute to have more time to breathe.
Episode grade: B+
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