‘Watchmen’ Season 1, Episode 3 ‘She Was Killed by Space Junk’ Review

The cops go on a rampage following the Chief’s death in Watchmen. However, their unmonitored, borderline police brutality stints come to an end as the FBI sends one of its most seasoned agents to town. In this instance, both the Tulsa Police as well as the 7th Kavalry attack with aggression that could lead to all-out war. While one pushes skeletons in the closet aside to deal with the Kavalry, the other comes closer to unearthing the truth about the Chief’s murder.

On Sunday’s episode of Watchmen, FBI Agent Laurie Blake (Jean Smart) heads to Tulsa to uncover the mystery behind Police Chief Judd Crawford’s (Don Johnson) murder. At the sight of Blake, Angela Abar/Sister Knight (Regina King) tries to hide what she knows about Judd. Elsewhere, Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Jeremy Irons) works on yet another bizarre experiment when a warden interrupts his progress.

Suit Up

Mark Hill/HBO

Wherever he is, Veidt keeps himself busy. After he finishes his bizarre recreation of Dr. Manhattan’s origin story, Veidt works on a new project. The purpose of the suit that Veidt created remains unclear, although we do know what it does to people. Mr. Phillips (Tom Mison) freezes to death as Veidt had him wear the enclosed suit he made. Thinking that the outfit needs more hardened leather to withstand the pressure, Veidt heads out to hunt—- when suddenly, the Game Warden shoots at his feet, stopping him from collecting his rightfully earned buffalo.

Veidt ends up not merely making a crude suit, but soon donning his Ozymandias costume once more. Also, he responds accordingly to the antagonizing letter the Game Warden sent to him. Despite the motives for his experiments remaining unclear, one thing is sure. Adrian Veidt is tired of his life in the unknown estate and wishes to do something big once more. The government declaring him dead may work in his favor, but for now, he has to focus on the task at hand: eliminating the Game Warden.

Vigilante Hunter

HBO

Everyone’s jaws drop during Laurie Blake’s intro sequence. In contrast to her previous Vigilante persona, Blake now works for the FBI as a Vigilante Hunter, arresting modern-day vigilantes such as Mister Shadow (Lee Tergesen). Impressed by her work, Senator Joe Keane (James Wolk) assigns Blake to the Tulsa case. As the author of the Masked Policing Legislation, the senator likely thought it best to have Blake use her skills in the suspiciously treated Crawford Murder Case. With that, Blake takes Agent Dale Petey (Dustin Ingram) to Tulsa to figure out what happened.

Blake’s skills as an Agent are impeccable. Mixing sass with wise tactics and near-perfect detective skills, Blake prowls the streets as an apex predator. Blake scares the likes of Sister Knight and Looking Glass/Wade Tillman (Tim Blake Nelson) as she trotted Tulsa as if she owned the place. Blake had every right to do so, however, especially given how she quickly notices overlooked crime scene details as well as the suspiciously early funeral for Crawford. Angela knows that Blake is on to her, and it will only be a matter of time before Blake discovers what Angela did behind Tulsa Police’s back. With Angela’s car mysteriously falling back down directly in front of Blake, Angela’s days of secrecy can end sooner or later.

The Blue God

Mark Hill/HBO

Throughout the episode, Laurie narrated a parable reminiscent to Nite Owl, Dr. Manhattan, and Ozymandias’ stories in the years of their vigilanteism. Here, Laurie sends a message to Dr. Manhattan to a telephone booth that directly sends her message to Mars. Laurie still loves Dr. Manhattan after 30 years, both romantically and sexually (she keeps a blue dildo and a copy of an esquire magazine featuring her and Dr. Manhattan). However, it does seem that Laurie’s other lover, Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl, is also still alive. Senator Keane hints at the possible pardon of the implied imprisonment of Dreiberg should Laurie work with him.

It is perhaps Laurie’s close involvement in the life of vigilantes that makes her the best asset the FBI has against masked vigilantes. It does seem unlikely that Laurie chose the career she has now willingly, but she does it well. She knows how a vigilante works and thinks, and is quite close to scaring the truth out of Tulsa’s masked high-ranking officers. Despite her feelings that remain present for her exiled and jailed colleagues, Laurie manages to work professionally and exude competence. This manner of living is what makes Laurie a formidable opponent.

‘Watchmen’ Season 1, Episode 3 ‘She Was Killed by Space Junk’ Final Verdict

The third episode of Watchmen belongs to Laurie Blake. Giving a background on the vigilante-turned-federal agent is crucial in telling her story right. Also, the idea of someone existing to terrify the show’s main characters provides yet another exciting element to the show. While Veidt fucks around in his stretch of the universe, Blake waltzes into Tulsa to discover the truth about Crawford’s death. Tulsa can be the place for the reunion of the old heroes, in which case, would be the most anticipated event in the show.

Watchmen continues Sunday, November 10th with ‘If You Don’t Like My Story, Write Your Own’ at 9/8c on HBO.