Marvel’s Runaways - S1E3 - Destiny

Previously on Marvel’s Runaways, “Rewind”

Secrets and Shadows

After a two-pronged opening, Runaways continues with the aftermath of Destiny’s sacrifice. But before we find out Destiny’s fate, the show gives us more background on how we got here and the secrets the parents have been keeping; not just from their children but from each other. We open with the funeral of Molly’s parents. Tiny Molly sits in a wheelchair while the men of the PRIDE carry her parent’s coffins. Little Nico, Amy, Alex, Chase, Karolina, and Gert are all there, playing Uno and trying to cheer up the now orphaned Molly while the adults run around covering their asses. Catherine (Wilder) and Janet (Stein) lament how it could have been either of them. Geoffrey (Wilder) confronts Robert (Minoru) and accuses his wife Tina of being involved in the fire, to which Robert responds that they don’t keep secrets from each other. And the Yorkes (Stacy and Dale) whisper about having been the last to see the Hernandezes and then guiltily offer to adopt Molly.

In the present day, things don’t seem to be faring much better for the members of the PRIDE. The Yorkes, despite a major scientific breakthrough, are knee-deep in guilt over the sacrifices and are trying to get out of Dodge. Victor’s broken dematerialization chamber is driving him insane and he has to figure out how to get rid of Destiny’s body. Also, because the chamber didn’t work correctly, the person Leslie is keeping in her meditation room isn’t getting better. So he’s connected to their sacrifice in some way. And the Minoru’s marriage is in a bad place. Tina tries to spice it up by taking off her underwear when they’re out for sushi (Girl, you tried it with that 50 Shades shit) but Robert says he can’t take her going from 0 to 100 out of nowhere. Then he turns up at a secret apartment with Janet going at least 80. So much for telling your partner everything. 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

While the adults are dealing with their demons, the kids are trying to unearth them. A picture on social media makes them think that Destiny might be on a mission trip to London, but as Gert points out, PhotoShop is easy to use and readily available. They decide to get their Nancy Drew on and get some answers.

Gert and Chase team up to check out their parent’s labs. They find some x-ray goggles at Stein’s lab, which Gert promptly uses to check out Chase’s junk (this is a nice turnabout from the comics) and at the Yorkes’ lab they discover that dinosaur they engineered. Luckily, the dinosaur seems to listen to Gert though it does end up running away when Gert is distracted.

Karolina is trying to find out what the deal is with the lights she saw when she took off her bracelet. She even asks the creepy guy who’s always watching her mom’s top-secret meditation room if he’s seen the lights when he takes off his bracelet. No, it’s just you, girl. She does notice a painting her grandpa made that basically looks like a young girl made of light.

Nico goes snooping in her mom’s office and finds her sister’s journal and a magical staff that causes a snowfall in her house. When she calls Alex for help, he touches the staff and it stops glowing and the snow stops so whatever is happening is tied directly to Nico and her connection to the staff. She throws her mom off her scent by pretending to make out with Alex and Alex points out that he doesn’t think it’s all pretend.

And finally Molly. She’s still trying to figure out what’s happening to her and it’s not helping that Gert keeps blowing her concerns off as cramps and panic attacks. Catherine comes to interrogate Molly after they find her hair clip in Geoffrey’s study. Molly uses her strength to run away but she immediately gets tired and is found unconscious by Catherine. When Catherine asks what’s going on, Molly deflects really well by lying that she was in the study because the older kids wanted her to make sure the adults weren’t around so they could sneak booze. She also brings up her parents, which clearly makes Catherine uncomfortable. Molly might be the youngest, but she ain’t no snitch.

Full disclosure: I have read the comics so I have an idea of where this is going but I have to say, the way they are getting there is so detailed. Having more insight into the parents and creating these complex relationships between them is what executive producers, Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz, do well. The casting is also A+. Everyone fits their roles well and it will be wonderful to watch these kids as their different abilities manifest and come together. I have some theories about the additions they’ve made to the series, but I’m going to hold those due to my prior knowledge and leave the speculation to my co-reviewer.