After the first episode of Surviving, I couldn't wait to get my hands on episode 2. I am really liking the short format. It gives the viewer just enough and prevents the writers from putting in filler in order to extend the run time.
We start the episode with young Shayla and her father outside practicing using a bow and arrow. The Banter between Shayla and her father while he is instructing her is funny and organic. Shayla insists that she knows what she is doing but doesn't know why she is doing it. He tells her that he needs to be prepared because he won't be around forever. Shayla returns to her training but this time she shoots a bird out of the sky.
Flash forward to present day Shayla who is waking up from her car accident. It now day time and she surrounded by other crashed vehicles. She checks her phone and notices her sister has sent her various text messages throughout the night. One of them asked if Shayla was dead. Shayla runs home.
When she gets there, the house is quiet. She calls out to Lucy but does not get an answer. She searches the entire house before hearing noise from downstairs. With a bat in hand, she finds Lucy in the closet by the main door. They hug but Lucy quickly pushes Shayla away. A visibly shaken Lucy asks where Shayla was and that she could hear all the screams outside. Shayla tells her that she is here for her now and calms Lucy down.
Shayla decides the best thing to do is to lock all the doors, hide and wait for help. Lucy informs Shayla that help is not coming. The army evacuated the city before firing civilians; men, women, and children in executions lines. Shayla tells her that what she is saying doesn't make sense. Lucy then tells her that she couldn't get in contact with their dad and they would need to leave in case the soldiers come back.
They begin backing various essentials including water, clothes, medicine and weaponry. Lucy asks her about one of the medicine bottles and the bow and arrow she saw Shayla pack. Shayla tells her that it is a tranquilizer and long story. Lucy smiles and says she bets it is.
The sisters then get into Shayla's truck. Lucy says she didn't know Shayla had one. Shayla begins to explain that she got it because of their father but doesn't complete their thought. She tells Lucy to turn on the music in order to keep a sense of normalcy as long as possible but all hopes of normalcy is shattered when the garage door opens and reveals a large group of infected.
So this episode sparked some new questions. It is obvious that Shayla and Lucy's relationship is strained. There is so much the two sisters don't know about each other. It makes me wonder about Lucy's relationship with their dad. Why didn't he teach Lucy the same survival skills that he taught Shayla at the same age, if not younger?
Also, why did Shayla have tranquilizers at home? Why was she using them?
The only downside for this episode was the acting from the actress who plays Lucy. I really hate to say it but I guess it really is difficult to find good child actors and actresses. I really hate to bring this up but her acting is cringe worthy. Hopefully we will notice an increase in her acting ability as the story progresses,
Final Score: 9/10 Power Ups.
