Tribe Leader Episode Recaps

Series 3, Episode 03

Previously on the Tribe: the Chosen captured Bray and he unknowingly avoided death when the Guardian agreed to let Trudy try to convert him; Ebony and Lex met Pride and learned about his tribe and its leader; Jack was caught trying to escape and sent off to parts unknown to work for the Chosen.

Bray, confined to a room inside the Mall, has no other recourse but to sit and brood about his situation. The fate of Danni and the other Mallrats must prey on his mind. The Guardian (and requisite goons) pays a visit, solicitously inquiring about how he slept and commenting that he hasn’t touched the food brought for him. All he really wants to know though is if Bray now accepts his fate and will join the Chosen. As a selling point, Bray would be accorded all the privileges of the blood of Zoot. I' wonder what those privileges are exactly. I’m guessing a swanky outfit, a private room, and ceremony hosting duties. Could be worse. Bray apparently disagrees, letting his anger show for the first time. He’s lost everything that has ever mattered to him because of the Chosen, and specifically the Guardian: Danni, his tribe, his freedom. He’s unable to contain it and tries to attack the Guardian, smooth move. Of course the goons immediately stop him and bring him to his knees at the Guardian’s feet. Bray would rather “go to Hell” than join the Chosen. That can be arranged. He’s dragged out the door, a goon on each arm, after a determined Guardian.

Alice and Dal come to check on Ellie, who is also dwelling on the fate of one she loves. She feels responsible for what happened to Jack and doesn’t think she deserves their consideration. Dal knows that Jack used his head and Ellie uses her heart, it’s what Jack loved about her. His use of the past tense upsets her but he didn’t mean to say that Jack wasn’t coming back. A part of Ellie thinks he won’t and she believes it’s all her fault as her tears attest. Nothing Dal or Alice say will change that and their attempts only make her lash out at them in anger. She’s determined to hate herself and take the blame.

As promised, Bray is about to experience Hell. He’s flung into a dimly lit, black room and the door pulled shut behind him. He throws himself at it, banging on the door with his fists and yelling that they’ll never break him, but there’s no response. Bray turns to examine his surroundings by the low illumination coming from a single panel on the floor. One side of the room has three large, blank screens on each wall. The only other ornamentation is single photos of Zoot on the walls (which Bray rather hilariously salutes with a rude gesture). It’s stark and intimidating, but the fun hasn’t even started yet. The screens suddenly light up with rapidly flashing pictures of Zoot and the room is assaulted by a cacophony of voices saying, “power and chaos,” over and over and over.

The Mallrats are gathered together in the atrium, once again discussing how hungry they are. They’re not sure why Trudy fed them the first time so it’s hard to say if she’ll do it again. Cloe and Patsy, unlike the others, didn’t stuff down all the food at once and still have some squirreled away. They begin to eat it in front of the others and have to chase KC away from their stash. Some of it falls on the floor right as the Guardian comes down to the balcony to give another speech. He wants to know if the hunger has brought them to their senses yet. Alice gives a sarcastic response, as usual, but the Guardian sees through her. Her sarcasm is just a thin veil to hide her despair.

He finally sees the piece of bread lying on the floor and demands to know where it came from. It becomes clear he had no idea Trudy allowed the Mallrats to be given food. Alice picks up on this miscommunication instantly, mocking the united front for Zoot the Guardian and the Supreme Mother supposedly had going. The Guardian isn’t pleased and takes off in a huff.

Out in the forest, Pride is cooking a fish over a fire. Lex wonders how he caught it and is impressed by the spear Pride shows him. This way of catching fish is a lost art that Pride and his people have learned. The cooking pot also contains edible roots taken from the forest. “Our environment can provide everything you need as long as you know where to look.” As Ebony points out, this isn’t new information. It’s been around since ancient times but the knowledge was mostly lost in the technological world before the virus.

Lex brings up Pride’s tribe leader again. I’ve bitched about this storyline enough, so I’ll let my previous complaints speak for themselves. Pride says she’s such a good leader because of her great strength of character, vision and action, and ability to lead but not dominate. Lex reminds Ebony that they knew someone like that once, but she’s jumpy and tells him forcefully to drop the subject.

The Guardian has gone straight to Trudy’s room to demand answers. She claims that giving the Mallrats food was only to help achieve their goals. The Guardian thinks she might have been feeling a little sorry for her former friends, though she denies it. She feels nothing for the shadows of her former life but she does know their ways. The Chosen will win them over more quickly with kindness than with threats. That was the wrong thing to say. The Guardian says that too much kindness can be a weakness of character and they wouldn’t want the child of Zoot to be exposed to that. He moves to take Brady from her arms and Trudy begs him not to, struggling to keep her. He will allow her access but Brady belongs to the Chosen. Trudy breaks down, devastated, as the Guardian takes Brady from the room.

Bray stands swaying in the middle of the black room, blinded by images of Zoot flashing on the walls and bombarded by deafening voices. He unwittingly begins to repeat “Power and chaos,” along with them, his eyes fluttering tiredly. But something in him refuses to succumb and he snaps out of it, shouting, “No!” at the unresponsive walls and grimacing in agony.

Ryan and KC have been sent to deliver a pile of clothes to Alice, May, Ellie, and Salene. Needless to say, the girls aren’t thrilled about the gender division of chores that seems to be going on, as demonstrated by the potato peeling they’re currently engaged in. They want to know why the boys can’t do the mending. In Ryan’s defense, he would, but he doesn’t know how. Ryan really does have a good heart.

They’re handing over the robes to an exasperated May and the girls when Trudy shows up, a smug smile on her face. It’s interesting that she has this attitude after having her daughter literally ripped from her arms – bad editing or intentional? She mocks the work they’re forced to do and asks if they liked the food. When KC offers his enthusiastic thanks, with an aside from Ellie to shut it, she directs their gratitude to Zoot. Ellie points out the interesting detail that Zoot didn’t communicate this issue to the Guardian. She’s smart to focus on the things that could divide the leadership of the Chosen. Trudy maintains that she and Zoot have a special bond, implying that the Guardian is not privy to the same connection. Alice is sick of this Zoot worship and wants to confirm that Trudy does know he’s dead, doesn’t she? But May and KC are quick to come to her defense, clearly more concerned about getting more food from her than challenging her belief system. In response to Ellie’s snide comment and Alice’s skepticism, Trudy parrots, “Zoot’s spirit lives in his followers. It is more powerful than any of you, alive or dead.”

Ryan asks what they all really want to know: what does Zoot have to say about giving them food. Trudy seems to be now back in line with the Guardian. Any future food will come only after the worship of Zoot. No worship, no food. When Salene expresses dismay, Trudy reminds her that she didn’t say that, Zoot did. Oy.

Does Trudy really believe in Zoot the god? She was very vulnerable when the Chosen got their hands on her and using Brady as a tool to brainwash her would have been very effective. Her attitude with the Mallrats right after losing Brady supports that I believe. I do think to a certain extent she buys into the worship of Zoot, as an idealized god, not a person. This Zoot she worships isn’t Martin, but then neither is the one the Guardian worships. However, I also believe that she would twist the worship of Zoot in order to suit her purposes. She always did set herself apart from the Mallrats, and this gives her the chance to punish them. And she would use the religion to try to gain Bray’s love or at the very least his dependence on her for preserving his life. Trudy fears being alone and having to depend on herself I think, and the Chosen protect her from both of those. So yes, I do think she believes in all this mumbo jumbo, because it’s safe and convenient to believe it. Bray on the other hand would probably always be too aware of what Zoot was before to worship him. And his fears are not the same as Trudy’s, though she isn’t self-aware enough to know that.

Back in the black room, Bray lies on the lit floor panel, his hands pressed against his ears, desperately trying to block out the jarring sounds. The voices drone on about power and chaos and screams echo in the background. All the while, Zoot continues to flicker to life on the screens. Suddenly it all stops: the sounds cease and the screens go dark. Bray lifts his head and looks around, hardly daring to believe that it’s over. He sighs in relief and lays his head down, only to have it begin again. He curls up trying to escape, but it’s a futile attempt. There is no way to escape this torture until the Guardian decides it’s finished.

In the morning, the Mallrats are back in the atrium, and KC melodramatically announces that he’ll fade away if he doesn’t get food soon. Dal maintains that the Mallrats aren’t of any use to the Chosen if they’re too weak to work, but Cloe points out that the Chosen have plenty of slaves; why would they need the Mallrats? When Alice blathers something about how she would punch out the Guardian’s lights if he ever came around without his guards, May’s had it. She’s sick of Alice’s “fighting talk.” The only thing it’s done so far is cause them to starve. Maybe it’s better to play along for now, says Salene. KC agrees, though Ryan, Alice, and Patsy aren’t on board. What the Chosen stand for is evil.

Bray is still experiencing some of that evil. All night he’s been deprived of sleep by the cacophonous noise and intensely bright pictures on the screens. He’s been bombarded by Zoot’s philosophy and image over and over. The Guardian has come now to check on the success of his methods and mutes the sound so that his threats and ultimatums can be heard clearly. Bray, clearly exhausted, starts at his entrance and struggles to pull himself to a sitting position. He says that some people would call this torture (ya think?) but the Guardian denies it. These are merely the images and words of the true way, the only way, and Bray will succumb eventually. Unlike his heated denials the night before, Bray says nothing. His confusion and frustration are visible on his face, but he has no strength to fight. All he wants is to sleep but the Guardian isn’t done yet.

He says that Bray’s foolish dreams have already cost him dearly, not least of all is the lives of the two women he loves. Trudy would have told him about Amber, and it seems that Danni is almost certainly dead. Bray just wants it to end. He curls up on the floor, his arms wrapped around himself for comfort and begs them to leave him alone. The Guardian kneels down by Bray’s side and leans in to speak his next words quietly and gently. That won’t happen until Bray says these words, “Zoot be praised and to his followers, victory!” Bray says nothing, though his mouth trembles like he’s conflicted and would like nothing more at that moment than to give in and make it end. But still, he says nothing. The Guardian leaves with his guards and the sound resumes, assaulting Bray’s ears and mind. He yells out again, “No!” but relief does not come.

By the creek, Lex tries his hand at Pride’s way of fishing by throwing the spear into the water and trying to impale the fish. Unfortunately, he isn’t having any success. Bystander Ebony is quick to label Lex a “city boy” and he doesn’t deny it. But they could use the skills that Pride has about where and how to find food. He thinks they should ask Pride and his tribe to join their fight. Their leader sounds like just the kind of person they need on their side. Ebony is strongly opposed to the idea. She doesn’t want to trust a bunch of strangers with their lives and they don’t know anything about the tribe leader.

When Pride arrives, Lex thanks him for the use of his spear but doesn’t think it did him much good. Pride thinks they can make a fisherman out of him yet, but they inform him they’re returning to the City to try and rescue their friends. He’s skeptical about their chances of success, but wishes them luck. Lex broaches the subject of Pride coming along with them but to no avail. Pride’s way is not confrontation, nor is it his tribe’s. He apologizes for his inability to help but there’s nothing he can do. After shaking their hands he heads off following the creek bed.

The Guardian is updating the Supreme Mother on his progress with Bray. She thinks it means they’ve broken his will, but the Guardian thinks they’re far from it. He still hasn’t accepted Zoot and his presence could contaminate the others. To the surprise of the Guardian, Trudy proposes they work on him together. She knows Bray’s weaknesses better than anyone else. Now that the Guardian has worn him down, she can use her knowledge against him. Big G eagerly asks what the knowledge is but Trudy insists it only works if she opens the wound. She truly believes she can turn him into a follower and he gives her the opportunity to try, one last time.

In their room, Ryan is encouraging Salene not to give in now. They have each other and the baby that will be coming soon. Salene puts their situation into perspective: they’re prisoners in their own home, they’ve lost some of their closest friends, and been betrayed by another. She wouldn’t be surprised if his feelings had changed. But he’s thrilled about the baby even with the situation they’re in. He never changes and worries that he’s too boring for her. She doesn’t deny it, but says she’s happy she married him. He’s strong, loyal, and caring, and that’s what matters, not excitement. Even though that’s exactly what mattered to her not long ago when she was pining for Bray. But she seems to have put that behind her and is trying to accept being happy with him. Ryan plans a grand future for them of a house, a vegetable garden, and them together. She’ll see, everything’s going to be okay.

Trudy has had Bray escorted to her room by his guards and has a tray of fruit and bread ready like she’s entertaining. She’s nervous, perhaps because her previous encounter didn’t go so well and because, of anyone, Bray has the ability to see right through her. Her eagerness in seeing him is almost painful to watch as she offers him the food and some juice, but he only stares at her. She sobers and begs him to listen to her and go along with the Guardian. He wonders if she’s just trying to tick off the last goal in her “warped little mind” of getting him to worship Zoot. Trudy swears it’s not for her sake but for his. If Bray doesn’t do what he wants, the Guardian will kill him. Tortured, deprived of sleep, and unsure of the fates of those he loves, Bray thinks he’s half dead already. What does it matter if the Guardian kills him now? Trudy doesn’t want him to die; isn’t it obvious why? Bray, accustomed to every breathing female in his vicinity falling in love with him, mocks her feelings, telling her to save her breath. She has a funny way of showing her love. Trudy passionately declares that her mind may be with the Chosen but her heart is with Bray.

This is truly painful. Trudy thinks she’s in love with him, and she wants to save his life. But she must also know that he would never forgive such a betrayal, as she even acknowledges to him. So let him live to hate her, just let him live? I don’t think she’s that selfless. She’s in denial and thinks she can persuade him eventually to go along with her. And I think she’d ditch the Chosen in a heartbeat if she thought he would go with her.

Bray is bitter and unforgiving; he believes Trudy has no heart. If he only knew the hours, days, nights she has spent longing for him! But he barely looks at her, unmoved. She tries another tactic by bringing up the Mallrats. If he joins the Chosen, the others will follow and he’ll save them from slavery. Ironic, considering he’s a prisoner as well as them. So he sells his soul to improve their situation. And their lives, Trudy adds. Bray thinks this means she’d have them killed otherwise, if they didn’t become followers, though that’s not her decision to make. It is Bray who holds the power of life and death in his hands. So he really has no choice. He finally agrees to talk to them, but it comes with a price. Trudy can never, ever, mention the word “love” to him again. Her relief of only moments ago is reduced to pain.

Ellie and Alice look for a quiet, Chosen-free place to have a conversation. Ellie is sorry she got mad at Alice when she was only trying to help her. She’s also realized that there is something she can do for Jack: get revenge. As expected, Alice is fully onboard for that plan. They clasp hands and share a smile in total agreement.

Trudy goes to report on her conversation with Bray to the Guardian. They’re smugly satisfied that their collective manipulations have turned Bray around. Trudy reveals she’s gotten Bray to consent to talk to the others, but the Guardian didn’t agree to such a plan. He’s hesitant to allow it, although she points out that Bray is the most powerful weapon they have with the Mallrats. The Guardian relents, but insists on meeting with Bray first.

Ellie and Alice have immediately begun to put their plan into action. Ellie, already in the process of pumping Patsy for information on the Chosen, leads her by the hand over to join Alice for a mini conference. They want to know what the Chosen’s weak spots are, somewhere the Mallrats can attack. Patsy has clearly been over this numerous times and exasperatedly says she’s told them everything she knows. She never went near the Guardian; it was just her, Trudy, and the baby. Ellie, frustrated, jumps to her feet and attacks Patsy about her cozy situation with the Supreme Mother. She finds it strange that Patsy spent all that time in league with them and can’t tell them anything. They’ve lost people they’ll never see again and Patsy isn’t willing to help. Patsy apologizes, saying she wishes she could help, and Alice tries to calm Ellie down, but it’s no use. Ellie calls Patsy “worse than useless” because she’s responsible for the whole situation in the first place, and storms off. Patsy turns to Alice for comfort, but there’s nowhere to find comfort in the Mall these days.

After his conversation with Trudy, Bray was returned to the sights and sounds of the Zoot commemoration room. Once again, he lies on the floor, overwhelmed, tears falling silently from his eyes. The Guardian is pleased that he’s seen the light, but really he has no choice. The tribe’s welfare must come before his own. He still doesn’t embrace the Chosen, but he’ll do whatever is necessary to save his friends, including joining the Chosen. And what will Bray tell the Mallrats? To go along with the Chosen for their own good. Praise be to Zoot.

The Chosen gather on the stairs above the atrium, preceding the Guardian and Bray. The Mallrats, gathered below them, are thrilled to see Bray alive, though he looks tired and hopeless. They didn’t even know he was in Chosen hands. The Guardian orders Bray to tell them. “Fellow Mallrats, it’s good to see you guys. I’ve been thinking long and hard about our future, and it seems we have no choice. The Chosen, they control the whole city; they’re our leaders now. If we don’t join them we become slaves, or worse.” They can’t believe what they’re hearing and there are varying degrees of shock and horror on their faces. Alice calls out his name in disbelief, hoping he’s not doing what she thinks he’s doing. If he were to fall, the others would lose all will to resist. “But if we do,” he continues, staring down at them agonizingly, their trusting faces gazing back at him, “If we do…” He hesitates another second and then his expression strengthens. “If we do join them, we will suffer far, far more!” The Guardian is the first to realize what’s happened and he calls for the guards to take Bray away. Bray keeps shouting out denials of the Chosen even as they drag him off up the stairs. “Never give in to the Chosen! They can claim our bodies, but not our souls!”

The Mallrats’ resolve strengthens right before the Guardian’s eyes and what he thought would be a great coup has in fact turned into an enormous fiasco. He’s not a man who takes defeat well. He takes the railing and announces to the Mallrats, “Foolish words from a foolish man. The words of his own death!” And we close on their horrified faces.

I had assumed that Bray was planning this the whole time, but the way his face looked up there, I really think he meant to tell them to join the Chosen but just couldn’t do it in the end. In the face of their trust and faith in him, he gained enough confidence and courage to go against the Chosen, and in return, he gave it back to the Mallrats.