Swamp Thing episode 9 review: Hidden tragic love story

Drawing inspiration from Alan Moore’s comic arc of the same title, Swamp Thing “The Anatomy Lesson” delivers a tragic love story between Abby and Swampy.

Mourning the cancellation of Swamp Thing has been a 9-week-long event for fans thus far. However, we’re also mourning something else this week, the death of Alec Holland. Episode 9 gave us context to ~that~ Swamp Thing promo image.

More importantly, it reimagines Alan Moore’s “The Anatomy Lesson” arc in Saga of the Swamp Thing and reminds us how much we love Abby and Swampy’s love.

There are so many strong storytelling devices in this episode that it’s nearly impossible to discuss the entirety of “The Anatomy Lesson” in any great depth. While we’ll delve into some of the scenes that we rewatched on repeat, here’s a quick recap of the episode, and a few thoughts on what makes these moments so special:

• We finally saw Daniel Cassidy as Blue Devil, and it was cinematic magic.
• Uh, the DC Universe’s version of operation is very disturbing.
• We want to hug Swamp Thing because he really, really, really needs a hug right now.
• The show kind of fridged Caroline Woodrue. After her medical condition was the plot device that made Jason turn into a villain, it seems like her death might. Thus, another woman is in the fridge. However, she might not be permanently dead. (With the show’s cancellation though, we might never get closure on her arc.)

Though they barely knew each other before the green plague and the Rot enveloped Marais, Abby and Alec/Swampy’s on-screen chemistry has been natural. While “The Anatomy Lesson” beautifully recreates Alan Moore’s tale by the same name, the episode acts as an ode to the romance elements Moore instilled in Swamp Thing lore. If you love Moore’s writing, comic accuracy, and you’re a hopeful romantic with a soft spot for forbidden love tropes,  then this episode was designed for you.

Abby and Swampy’s love

As their flame grows, episode 9 isn’t just a simple retelling of a memorable comic arc. It shows us all the reasons Abby and Swampy love each other and why. When Abby and Alec first met in the comics, she was married to Matt Cable. Well, she was married to her uncle who looked like and pretended to be Matt Cable. It was a weird and wildly uncomfortable time for us comic readers. Nonetheless, there are many reasons comic Swampy fell in love with comic Abby. But Abby’s strength was and always has been the testament to their adoration.

In episode 9, Abby’s tenacity and strength are what drove her to rescue Swamp Thing. Even when she was ill-equipped, she and Liz (and Danny, too) rushed to help him. Seeing her save Swamp Thing is a perfect gesture of her love. Given the nature of all the comic book callouts, this subtle, comics accurate moment flourishes in the background of “The Anatomy Lesson.”

More obvious moments that parallel Moore’s unabashed eco-love story obviously include all the handholding in this episode. And of course, watching Abby hold Swampy’s hand duals as a parallel to “Brilliant Disguise.” This time, she doesn’t just brush up against his hand, which gives us some closure to the couple’s seemingly endless pining. (Seriously, just let them kiss already!)

In an incarnation without her truly rotten powers, Abby Arcane is strong and resilient. Like Swamp Thing, she has a clear passion for justice. Although it’s unspoken, changing Swamp Thing’s solo escape act into an arc where he relies on Abby bolsters her canon personality. More so, it builds a better foundation for their irresistible love story.

Saving Swamp Thing exemplifies how fearless and strong  Abby is. But it’s her love for Swampy that amplifies those. They complement the best aspects of each other, and maybe that’s why Swampy continues to push Abby away. He thinks that he isn’t good enough, especially as he delves deeper into his existential doubts.

Though Swampy pushes Abby away from her at the end, we all know that Abby notoriously brings him back to humanity, even if he has a conflicting relationship with humanity. In true Alan Moore fashion, DC Universe’s interpretation of “The Anatomy Lesson” brings the love. Clearly, there’s a lot more to their love story, even if Swampy keeps trying to us Alec’s death as a scapegoat for why they shouldn’t be together.

The death of Alec Holland

Show of hands, who stifled a sob and simultaneously gasped when Swamp Thing cared Alec’s corpse out of the swamp? Because same. We knew this iconic comic panel-turned-tv-moment was coming, but somehow the series still eliciting such a response only proves how powerful this show is. Now we’re crying again because we’re reminded Swamp Thing is ending soon. And it’s ending forever. And we won’t have closure on a lot of things.

However, the death of Alec Holland gave Swamp Thing life. As a sentimental ode to Alec, his memories live on in Swamp Thing. Though Alec Holland might physically be dead, we haven’t seen the last of Alec. With the series wading deeper and deeper into Alan Moore’s arcs, Swampy’s eulogy to Alec will only become more emotional in the season finale. After all, the “Burial” comic narrative starts immediately after “The Anatomy Lesson.” From this, we can expect an even more tragic final episode next week.

This entire scene serves to redefine Swamp Thing. Beyond being a deeply cathartic moment for comic fans, this moment fleshes out Swamp Thing’s conflicting feelings and his reoccurring identity crisis.

In a way, the official confirmation of Alec’s death allows Swampy to rebirth himself. However, Swamp Thing’s near-death experience could give a new villain life. Or at least an old villain a new moniker.

Foreshadowing Floronic Man

Jason Woodrue still hasn’t become Floronic Man. With only the series finale left, there’s still time for him to become the Floronic Man. The series has been leading us on and foreshadowing his big reveal in increasing increments. However, episode 9 foreshadows his transmutation into Floronic Man by making him a monster before he physically turns into one.

Caroline’s premonitions (and yes, we are calling her dreams premonitions because the series has  hinted at her superpowers for four episodes now) depicted Woodrue as a monster. Though she never says he was the monster in her dream-vision, her reaction to Jason Woodrue followed by her choice use of “monster” tells us all we need to know. He was clearly the monster in her dream.

Even if he wasn’t the monster in the dream, he was still a villain this week. Dissecting Swamp Thing, while he was awake and feeling every incision and extraction, makes Jason a monster. Clearly, he doesn’t need to become a leafy-heinous man before he transforms into a monster. Using Jason’s own actions as a way to prep us for Floronic Man is an interesting way to illustrate his nefarious decent. Perhaps his more official monstrous look isn’t too far away.

Woodrue already has the recipe for Floronic Man. Swampy escaped, but Woodrue still has all of his old botanical organs. From that, we can assume Woodrue’s transformation isn’t too far away. Perhaps, that will by the cliffhanger the series departs on… which would only make the show’s cancellation even more devastating.

While we have dozens of questions about each character, Matt Cable’s fate gives us a lot to ponder. Hopefully, Swamp Thing episode 10 will address what will happen to Matt before we part ways with this award-nominated show.