Summary
It’s a brutal and invigorating opener as a new weapon takes the battlefield by storm. See utilizes a killer concept, beautiful imagery, and a great cast but is burdened by dialogue-heavy scenes and tiresome politics.
This recap of the Apple TV+ series See season 3, episode 1, “Heavy Hangs the Head,” contains spoilers.
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Apple TV+’s sci-fi epic returns for a third season, with the show’s premiere getting off to an action-packed start. Episode one, “Heavy Hangs the Head”, reintroduces us to this post-apocalyptic world, where nearly all of society has lost the ability of sight. Those that can see are hunted down and burnt alive like witches, whilst the blind rule supreme. In this week’s instalment two tribes are at war and a new invention looks set to change mankind forever.
See season 3, episode 1 recap – the premiere explained
The title card tells us it has been 256 days since the Battle of Greenhill Gap and Wren is fighting with the Trivantians against the Ganites. Wren has the power of sight, but still fears death if found out, so she keeps this a secret. She watches as the enemy army attacks, firing an arrow into their squadron. There is a rope attached to this arrow and the savages come hurtling towards them, using the rope as guidance. It’s an electrifying start, with a beautifully misty battle field aesthetic. The Trivantians are outnumbered and flee back to their base, which happens to be an abandoned shipwreck.
It’s impressive to watch the intricacies and vulnerability of blind fighting, with the series also gleefully embracing the violence and gore of war. This is a brutal opener that will certainly get your pulse racing. Back at base, the men discuss their chances of survival. They are clearly losing the war against the Ganites and their hideout is now compromised. The manic Tormada (David Hewlett) arrives on the scene, introducing himself as a lieutenant. He was Edo’s chief scientist, but has now taken over from his infamous, fallen leader. This unhinged but cunning dictator has a real iconic look about him. The show looks a treat, indulging in this middle-ages mythology. Tormada tells the soldiers that he has a secret weapon that he brags will win them the war.
Meanwhile, Sibeth (Sylvia Hoeks) is in the throes of labor. Her sister Maghra helps her give birth and then nurses the silent baby to life. It is a baby boy, the son of Kofun (Maghra’s son), who happens to be Sibeth’s nephew. Kofun refuses to hold the baby, stating that it isn’t his. Lord Harlan explains in private how the baby’s mother, Sibeth, is a deranged and murderous woman, and he will need to protect his son from her insanity.
The Trivantians, led by Tormada, plan their next line of attack. Wren notices that one of Tormada’s men is also sighted, this is Oloman. She fears her cover has now been blown. But there is no time to ponder these ramifications, the enemy comes sprinting towards them. The soldiers ready to attack, but Tormada tells them they need not fight. As the Ganites enter the battlefield, they are blown to smithereens as rigged explosives detonate all around them. It’s an invigorating sight. Tormada believes they are now an unstoppable force because of this almighty weapon. He wants to kill Baba, conquer Paya and then build his own empire. Tormada informs Wren of these plans and adds that he knows about her secret power, which he wishes to harness for his own end.
Meanwhile, Maghra’s other sighted sibling, Haniwa, spots another sighted man down at the market. He flees when she waves at him. Later, this bearded man is burned alive by witchfinders and Haniwa makes her presence known to the crowd as they listen to this awful act take place. She commands that they stop this needless killing instantly. The townsfolk attack Haniwa and her friend Charlotte instead. They defend themselves valiantly, jumping into action and just about escaping a similarly awful fate.
The ending
Jason Momoa finally graces us with his presence as Baba Voss. He’s been living in exile in the forest with his friend Ranger and Ranger’s partner Lu. Bow Lion makes a small appearance, trying to persuade him to return back to civilization, yet he flat-out refuses to leave with her. Tormada turns up as the first episode comes to its close. He wants sweet revenge for his master’s death. Baba was the one that killed Edo, which Tormada has not forgotten about. He loved Edo and threatens to kill all of Baba’s family in retaliation. Lion and Baba ready themselves for attack, but Lion is blown up by the explosives mere moments later. The premiere ends with Baba flying through the air, knocked backwards by the powerful explosion.
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