Swamp Thing episode 2 review: “Worlds Apart” but not so far away

Alec Holland and Abby Arcane are metaphorically “Worlds Apart,” but Swamp Thing episode 2 brings them closers together and nurtures their budding flame.

From the somber moments between Alec and Abby’s grief to the Elemental’s existential confusion, there are a lot of anguish-filled acts in Swamp Thing episode 2, “Worlds Apart.” However, the romance in the episode sprouts through more than just the obvious scenes.

We never needed any more reasons to cry about Swamp Thing, we’re still in five layers of heartache after DC Universe canceled the series. At least we’re still clinging to the vague hope that another television network could revive it.

Nonetheless, Swamp Thing rightfully parades itself as a labor of love. It’s clear from the employees who’ve reportedly paid for parts of season one out of their own pocket, the deeply comic accurate imagery, and the sheer detail in the production. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that a show so enveloped with love would also anchor on romance.

“Worlds Apart” plants the seeds for the differences between Alec and Abby and their subsequence emotional transformations. However, it amplifies their natural connection to one another, far more than their apparent connection to the Green.

Pulling the two protagonists closer together only sprouts more harrowing heartache. And once again, Crystal Reed drives the emotion in the more poignant moments. Hearing Alec talk about Abby in his somewhat professional journal puts us in our soppy feelings, but watching Abby visibly breakdown from the video — before a tear even forms in the corner of her eyes — is what makes us empathize with Abby. It’s also what makes us root for the two protagonists and their unraveling love story.

Speaking of love stories, Liz’s open lesbian representation is amazing to see, particularly during Pride Month. Likewise, it is Liz and Abby’s innate friendship that makes the moment even more adorable and natural. After all, we all give our friends a healthy helping of snark.

In a show with a botanical focus, “Worlds Apart” planted enough storyline seedlings for seasons to come… if the DC Universe didn’t already cancel the series. Here are a few other moments we’re still digesting, but more than that, these moments build more of Swamp Thing’s canon mythos and we’ll still these elements continue in the episodes to come:

• Matt’s attempted suaveness when he tries to make it seem like he only used to have a crush on Abby. We all have a crush on Abby, so there’s no shame, dude. However, we know this won’t be the last time the series will reference their potential romance
• Blue Devil (i.e. Danny, portrayed by Ian Ziering) makes his DC Universe debut. We wonder how Blue Devil’s lore will intertwine on the series, or if the DC Universe is setting the noteworthy character up for his own spinoff.
• Susie can communicate with the Green, which is what makes her and Alec/Swampy so connected in the first place. Perhaps the series will leverage off this unspoken explanation to explain how and why Abby has been so connected to Alec and Shawna’s pseudo-regenerated form.
• Swampy/Alec still maintaining his morals and using his new powers to protect humanity along with the Green.
• The Sunderland’s accelerant additives didn’t necessarily create Swamp Thing, they just attracted the Elemental to Marais, so that he can protect the distressed environment (thanks to the Sunderland’s pollutants).
• How the series begins to illustrate Swampy’s confusion after absorbing Alec’s consciousness
• Unearthing the magic in the on-screen Swamp Thing saga, the episode introduces Madame Xanadu, who we’re almost certain we’ll see again on the series.

Apart from the actual canon magic that the series starts to wade into with Madame Xanadu’s ongoing character arc, there is actually magic in the cinematography, particularly with the last suspenseful moments of the episode.

Of course, the choppy action-filled scenes at the end drive the climactic horror. And the slasher-esque sequence ends on a devastating moment for Swamp Thing, as he looks on with profound sadness in his eyes — knowing that Abby is afraid of him because of how he looks. Honestly, why would the series put in a sad Swampy thing? Just to tear us apart? Because if so, they succeeded.