The Purge Episode 1
Episode 1 of The Purge aired September 4th, on USA Network.
Off to a brutal start, as the clock counts down to commencement of Purge night, we follow some of the major players in the story.
JANE
Jane is a finance professional, and she’s working on Purge night in order to close an important deal. She is joined by her team, including Alison and Mark, who seem to be competing for her attention and for a VP position.
At one point the team are interrupted via a live feed on the tv—David Ryker, managing partner and boss at Jane’s investment firm, has stopped in to remind everyone why they’re working so hard (money) and promises bonuses for everyone. He reminds Jane that he’s always listening and watching, and we get the feeling that there’s some tension between the two.
Throughout the night, Jane keeps checking her phone, and she seems really nervous, not just about Purge night, but something else. Later, just as the Purge is commencing, Jane meets a woman in the garage and gives her a wad of cash—she’s hiring her for something, not sure what yet, but I’m guessing it’s a Purging of her own and maybe it involves David Ryker.
JENNA and RICK
Jenna and Rick are anti-Purgers, but tonight they are venturing out to attend a Purge party in hopes of securing a big investment for a charity that they run. Throughout their trip to the Stanton mansion where the party is being held, we see flashbacks, Jenna being intimate with another woman.
Once at the mansion, Jenna and Rick mingle nervously with the pro-Purge elite. After lockdown, Jenna isn’t feeling well and goes to the restroom. In the hallway, she looks at a photo of Albert Stanton and his wife, Ellie, the hosts for the party. With them is the woman from the flashbacks-looks like maybe she’s their daughter. The woman makes an appearance later, and as Rick and Jenna look on we get another hot little flashback, this time Rick and Jenna both with the woman.
MIGUEL and PENELOPE
Penelope is a young girl who has joined up with some weird Purge-worshiping cult. She has pledged herself to be sacrificed in what Good Leader Tavis calls “The Giving.” Penelope has written a disturbing letter to her brother, Miguel, a marine, who comes back on Purge night to save her.
While Miguel frantically searches for his sister amid the utter chaos in the streets—also kicking ass, saving another young girl, and comforting a young boy who is afraid of Purge night–Penelope boards a bus with other members of the cult. Penelope encourages another girl who is obviously terrified, and we see little glimpses of Penelope, when nobody is looking, and we know that she’s terrified, too, but she’s trying to keep her faith. Once the Purge officially kicks off, the bus stops and the first sacrifice is made. In a sick game of duck, duck, goose, Good Leader Tavis selects Arthur for The Giving. He gets off the bus where four masked ax wielding Purgers wait. As Penelope looks on in terror, the Purgers chop Arthur up. Like I said, brutal.
I liked this first episode. It has a sort of slow build, but there’s lots of tension and a super creepy atmosphere, and then BAM, that final, horrific, ax scene at the end.
Miguel is my favorite character so far. He loves his sister, he’s a badass, and at the same time he has a very gentle side to him.
What about you? How are you doing on Purge Night? Are you liking the story? Any characters you particularly like? For those of you have seen the movies, how is the tv show comparing? Is it living up to your expectations so far? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
The Purge returns September 11, 10/9 C, on USA Network. Will you be prepared?
Before you go:
‘Making It’ Our Own Podcast #7: Discuss Episode 5 and Interview with Jo Gick
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