Critic’s Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
4.4
While most episodes of The Hunting Party focused on violent serial killers before and after their release from the Pit, “Arlo Brandt” differed from the previous ones.
Played by David Ramsey (Arrow), Arlo Brandt used to hoard possessions and bodies but escaped from the Pit with a renewed purpose.
As seen on The Hunting Party Season 1 Episode 6, he’s become almost like a religious cult leader, hoping to force everyone to eliminate their possessions and become like him. It’s eerie, and it’s up to the trio to discern what’s behind his deranged mind.
Additionally, Bex gets impatient and condronts Oliver about information about Silo 12. This could affect their relationship moving forward.
Finally, Shane’s family mystery begins as he tries to learn more about what his dad knew, and someone else stops by the senior center.
Unclutter Your Life, Unclutter Your Mind
Arlo Brandt used to hoard so many possessions and bodies that it took more than four U-Haul trucks to lug it away.
It was daunting to see his wall-to-wall possessions. His cell was stuffed with possessions, including the Hawaiian bobblehead he took from the victim at the episode’s opening.
He altered the road near his house so travelers would get a flat tire, and that would lure them there to use his phone and feed his addiction to murder.
In the Pit, Arlo underwent NDT or possession removal therapy, and he was denied access to any possessions.
The therapists hoped to modify his urge to possess things and people, as well as his need to kill.
Arlo was almost like the rat in an operant conditioning box for those who studied psychology. If he gave something up, he was rewarded.
He kept hearing and repeating “Unclutter your life, unclutter your mind.”
In theory, it’s a fine practice. We all work better with less clutter in our lives. However, preaching that to someone who has issues is dangerous.
The team realized this as they watched one of Arlo’s therapy sessions. He had gone to the extreme, wearing nothing but his underwear, and would only sit on the floor, swearing even chairs were a waste.
While the therapy worked, having the Pit blow up and releasing Arlo back into the world was dangerous. He thrived in isolation.
Arlo Brandt Became An Eerie and Frightening Cult Leader That Had to Be Stopped
Initially, Arlo Brandt had another monk fooled because he mediated there, talked about change, and bought a dozen robes.
He seemed like another disciple doing good, not a frightening cult leader.
However, when the team found several people had been attacked, they searched for a link. Arlo went after a well-known realtor, Lucas Niles, and then attacked Tracy Miller in the parking lot.
The team learned that Tracy Miller and another man, Gus Morgan, looked at a house Lucas Niles was selling. Bex realized he targeted those who liked possessions, and they rushed to stop him before he hurt anyone else.
Shane: Isn’t that pretty much everyone?
Bex: He’s out to teach the world a lesson.
We’ve discussed this before, but treatment in the Pit usually scarred these prisoners. It made Arlo re-create the Pit underground and think he was in charge.
He wanted them to eliminate all their possessions and follow his lead, or he would destroy them.
I appreciated that Gus Morgan cared more about the safety of his teenage son, Felix, throughout the entire ordeal. Gus hesitated to go with Shane without his son.
I know Bex is the profiler, and it’s her job to talk down the prisoner, but I’d like to see Shane or Hassani with one in the final scene, especially if the prisoner shares some details about the Pit.
At least, we saw a fight scene between Arlo Brandt and Hassani when Hassani arrived to protect Bex. Patrick Sabongui teased that scene in his interview, and it was action-packed.
Bex and Oliver’s Connection Is Becoming Harder to Fight
While Oliver is shady, fighting that he and Bex have a connection is becoming more complicated. She was his weak spot, and he eventually folded when she demanded answers about the Silos.
Oliver tried to deflect, but women despise it when men keep secrets because they’re trying to protect them.
Bex would especially hate that because she’s a badass capable of caring for herself and her daughter.
While Oliver has always worried about Bex’s safety on these missions, he sounded terrified when he realized Arlo Brandt recreated the Pit underground.
They shared an angsty old-school moment over the walkie-talkies. He heard Bex admit she trusted him against her better judgment, and he urgently begged Hassani to get to Bex before it was too late.
Bex: I trust people I shouldn’t. I want to believe people, even though I shouldn’t.
Angsty couples are my jam, and that moment cemented these two for me.
They still trust each other, leading to Oliver confiding in Bex about his suspicions that the armed security force may have triggered the breach at Silo 12 and the Pit explosion.
How Are Shane and Dr. Dulles Connected?
Having a parent with Alzheimer’s disease is frightening, especially when they become agitated and lose their memory.
I assumed Shane was overwhelmed by coping with his dad’s care and his new job.
He didn’t want to move his father since he still longed for answers that he hoped his father would provide on one of his more lucid days.
Shane’s still learning as he goes, so naturally, he longed to be closer to his father. He told Bex he worked at the Pit to be closer to his family.
However, is Dr. Dulles his father? We weren’t expecting that cliffhanger with that other woman announcing that Dr. Dulles was her father and he didn’t have a son.
At first, I wondered if he merely had another child, but it suggests that one of them is lying. I pray it’s not Shane.
I don’t want him to use Dr. Dulles for information. He seemed sincere in his affection for Dr. Dulles. This will be an intriguing mystery.
Over to you, The Hunting Party Fanatics. Did you enjoy seeing David Ramsey and Patrick Sabongui reunite?
Can Oliver and Bex solve the Pit mystery together? What’s going on with Shane’s family?
Let us know in the comments below.
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