The Strain Season 2 Episode 9 Review And Recap! The Battle For Red Hook!

The Strain: S02E09 “The Battle for Red Hook”

This week, we are surprised with pretty awesome new opening credits with all our favorite characters. Some figures are definitely more chilling than others.

Eichorst wastes no time making new plans to attack the already disemboweled city. He makes a deal with a naïve boat Captain to take his “Private Party” to Red Hook. Even though he was hesitant at first, the Captain couldn’t resist the persuasion of the paper Presidents. Little did he know that Kelly was about to drain him to the bone as soon as they reached their landing.

Speaking of Kelly, she has become Eichorst’s new partner in crime and he has certainly taken her under his wings. She might be merely doing the Master’s bidding, but she is still very much attached to her emotions. We see her defeated and pouting on the floor when Eichorst walks in to give her a much needed pep talk. Kelly is “torn” about her defeat. Eichorst fuels the renewed anger towards Nora to provoke Kelly. He gives her the confident she lacks to keep fighting. No setbacks discourage him to stray away from the master plan. “Now prepare your face the best you can.” No wardrobe malfunction could stop what they’ve started. The show must go on.

After an eventful night, the gang discusses their options. Zach is not too happy with his recent decisions. What can you say? He is a kid after all. Their safety is compromised as the Master now knows their exact location. Overwhelmed by the situation, Eph suggests getting reinforcement. Reaching out to Justine Feraldo was shot down by Professor Setrakain. He is not too keen on getting the armed forced involved. Honestly, he just doesn’t realize when he has more than he could chew. Not much of a team player. Fortunately, Fet backs up Dr. Goodweather. If they are going to war, they will need a lot more fire power. Fet and Setrakain has an understanding and mutual respect between each other. He gets through to the professor. They are going to need the Council woman this time around.

Nora and Eph still have some friction after he revealed about the incidents in Washington. She heads out with Fet to check up on Dutch, while the rest leaves for the main barricade to warn the armed forces. Setrakian and Eph might not be the perfect duo. They are fighting the same battle in different wavelengths and that causes a few glitches on the way.

At the main base, Justine Feraldo explains the game plan to the Mayor. Unhappy with her current focal point, the Mayor pushes her to send the troops to clear up Manhattan, where all his Golf buddies live. Seriously dude? New Yorkers are lucky that Justine Feraldo is a total badass with a mind of her own. She is completely in control and no one can steer her away from the mission. Eph storms in on their meeting to warn them about the Strigoi leaks in their check points. They were dismissed as soon as Setrakian started talking about the Master and his minions. After a lifetime of hunting, it’s only natural that he looks like a crazy old man with even a crazier story.

Dutch and Nikki seem to be getting along well in their new pad. Fet and Nora pays them a visit to give an update on the situation at hand. Poor Fet is trying to catch a glimpse of hope. He will keep pursuing her. Nikki is still not showing that team spirit. If she wants to survive, she will have to earn her keep and trust. Dutch stays back to finish securing the new place, but I’m sure it won’t be too long before she gets her hands dirty again.

The love triangle continues. Nikki is not too thrilled with the new knowledge about Dutch and Fet’s relationship. There’s a Vampire apocalypse going on outside and she is stuck on ridiculous drama. Humans, I just don’t get them sometimes. Oy Vey! At least Dutch owns up to her true feelings towards Fet. I guess Nikki’s twisted ankle is healed enough for her to bare the news now. Dutch finally confronts Nikki. The fight escalates and ends in an unexpected way. Passionate destructive relationship indeed. You’d expect it to end with a cat fight with them smacking each other. Well, there was a lot of smacking, but not the kind you expected.

Meanwhile Eichorst and his entourage is about to turn the city inside out. Before entering, they take over the power station to cut the supply into the city. At least he asks very politely. His “charmes” are irresistibly to say the least.

Setrakian and Eph attempt to warn Feraldo again of the impending attacks. She takes matters into her own hands after a quick lesson on firearms. The first wave of Strigoi were shot down. Too bad they were only test dummies to assess the situation on their defenses. Fet and Nora heads out to the power station to get the lights back up since that’s the only way they’ll have a fighting chance against these leaches. Setrakian splits from the group to go after Eichorst. So typical.

Justine climbs up with Captain Frank Kowalski, her main man to get a better look at the condition across the barricades. The awaiting stampede of Strigoi freaks her out; but thanks to Captain Kowalski, she regains her confidence and prepares for the battle of a lifetime. Deflating balls rescued! I guess Eichorst isn’t the only one with awesome pep talks. We might have found a new Bonny & Clyde.

Justine Feraldo takes the battle to the residents of Red Hook. She gives them a reality check to show them the magnitude of the crisis. Ever since this started, people have been constantly running and hiding. It’s safe to say this was the first time the entire community fought together to stand their ground. Way to go humanity! They all fought until Nora managed to turn the lights back on. Dutch joined in on the madness and was joined by a surprise guest who actually ended up saving her life. They won this battle, but the war is far from over.

Just when things were looking up, back in the power plant Kelly crashes the party. She is one angry momma. Kelly is relentless and Fet barely manages to hold her down in time for Zach and Nora to escape. Uh Oh, did Fet just get worm blasted? Please say it ain’t so, not Fet, not now! Kelly runs away as soldiers came rushing in to rescue. Is it too late for Fet? Fingers crossed for next week.

The battle continues on the other side of town. Eichorst arrives in search of Setrakian only to find him right outside waiting. This man means business; “If you are so eager to drink me, why you stand their flapping your lips?” Setrakian;s burns are the best. Eph takes a shot at Eichorst that surprised them both. He starts chasing Eph. Eichorst’s intimidating trash talk is quite poetic. He definitely brings the darkness from Eph’s past to stir him emotionally. While Eph struggles with his rifle, Setrakian takes a few good shots at Eichorst. With no hopes of defending himself, Eichorst runs away wounded yet again. I guess Kelly and Eichorst both have some patchwork ahead.

The group reunited the next morning all in one piece. Friendships are mending and getting stronger. Everyone has something to be proud of this time. Even Nikki took her first steps in earning her place in the group. Yay! Captain Frank Kowalski and Council woman Justine Feraldo brought the people of Red Hook together to fight for their survival. It’s about time humans fought back. This might just be a major turning point and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Quinlan would be proud.

Until next time, Happy Hunting!