TV REVIEW: Dominion’s “Godspeed” Keeps its Promises

By Liv Tadesse

Dominion has more than kept its promise of lies and political warfare in its second episode, following through on the thread of power from the pilot.

In the wake of his father’s death, Alex seems overwhelmed by the position the tattoos have placed him in. His screentime has been whittled down from the hour long pilot, but for good measure, giving bigger impact to when he did appear onscreen by focusing every interaction on revealing or deepening characterization. Alex’s thought process is hidden even from the audience – even when drunk the most that’s understood about him is how perceptive he can be. He’s aware of Noma’s feelings for him, as well as Claire’s deep-rooted identity issues, and isn’t afraid of using it to hurt them when things don’t go his way.

In that sense, Alex’s not so much different than the bigger, more influential players on the scene in Vega. He’s just working on a smaller and interpersonal scale, but one that will nonetheless give him an upper hand down the line, if current politics don’t leave Vega in ruins. As of now, Arika serves as a counterpoint to both Alex and Claire.

Claire clearly has her eye on becoming the head priestess to the Chosen One, but hasn’t had the opportunity to show any of Arika’s ruthlessness, despite the two sharing pragmatism in spades. However, just as possible is the idea of Alex following in Arika’s footsteps rather than David’s.

Dominion is intent on making the most out of their main actor’s physique, (smartly realizing just how powerful the teen Tumblr demographic they’re aiming for is), and this places Alex in the female-coded position of objectification. Although this is an entirely fourth wall role, it still has an effect on how Alex’s written, especially as he’s portrayed as a Messiah. The Biblical role, within the Biblical framework as well as in popular culture, hosts a number of female-attributed traits in nurturing self-sacrifice, but the far more immediate parallel lies in Helena, Arika’s goddess. The only other apparent deity in the world seems to be gendered female, and the only human closest to Alex’s stature as of now is Arika’s wife, the mysterious but almighty Evelyn. The parallel could serve as an indication of Alex’s future should he survive it, and hopefully becomes one that Dominion will explore.

Anthony Head’s turn at David remains the most superficially enjoyable thing about Dominion as of now, perhaps because it’s currently the easiest role. With every other character balancing out subtle characterization, David has all his cards on the table with the audience, leaving Head to make breakfast, lunch and dinner out of his scenery, but if the slice of backstory we were presented is any indication, there might be a reversal in the weeks ahead and if so, it’s highly anticipated.

Dominion airs Thursdays at 9-10 p.m. ET on Syfy.