The Fades – Episode 3

Tonight’s episode of The Fades was very interesting. After of year of underwhelming and disappointing series (Torchwood I’m looking at you) where little or nothing happens in the name of “character development”, The Fades got it all right. Combine exceptional character and plot development with timing and pace and The Fades might just be the breakout show of the year. What about Misfits or Being Human? Sorry, that’s just so 2009…

The main story arc of episode three revolved around the relationship between Mac and Paul. Mac has been having a tough time lately, what with his Dad having troubles at work, his parents having troubles full stop and none realizing that his 18th birthday was just around the corner. All Mac wanted was for someone to remember his birthday and was completely let down when his best friend Paul forgot it.

Its hard to knock Paul really, with his new powers emerging, hanging out with a dude like Neil, and his is it or isn’t it relationship with Jay. Paul’s got a lot going on but he eventually manages to repair his friendship with Mac. For me the key moments of their relationship are the bergerac moment where Mac feeds Paul romantic lines from behind a tree and the ice cream moment afterwards which is made even more poignant but the possible demise of Paul himself.

That was quite the breath stealer as how can Paul die? Wait, what was going on in that pod in the tunnel? Is this the next phase of the Fades? By this point if you aren’t confused, a bit scared and generally wound up in adrenaline then you might be a Fade yourself.

Meanwhile, Neil has assembled the other Angelics and they have decided its time to capture a lesser Fade, which turns out to be Natalia. While capturing Natalia, they discover that the Fades are developing voices as proven by a piercing scream.

What’s going to happen next? Will Paul survive? Who is this mysterious man that emerged from the Pod?

The further you go in the stranger it gets.