HELIX – 1.09 ‘Level X’ Curiouser & Curiouser

Alan, Daniel and Jordan descend to Level R and capture a Vector for testing. When Alan discovers an anomaly with the air ducts more truth is wrung from Hitake. There is another floor, Level X where they keep all their original core samples.

Hitake tries to explain his actions in engineering an apocalypse virus, he attests that there was never any intention to actually release the virus once it was created. He said he used Ilaria to create something that was “More Beneficial” than a virus and the cure. When the other shoe drops on this one, I don’t know if we can take it.

What’s coming next is far worse than Sutton. The will send an army. “They will not stop until they have the virus.” A plan is made to destroy  the virus before Ilaria discovers it.  The problem arises when it is discovered where the fifty missing Vectors are located. They are all ensconced in Level X drawn by the warmth.

The gaggle of Vectors move from weird to truly bizarre when each hacks up a mouthful of black goo into a cheery “Keep Calm and Carry On.” coffee cup and proceed to feed it to Peter. The only thing that would have made it more creepy would be a tea cup emblazoned with “Drink Me.” The ‘swarm behavior” exhibited by vectors apparently leads them to appoint Peter as their “King” and he stands above them in zealous psychotic glee. I for one am happy to see the guy up and around, but I never imagined his resurrection and election as Vector Nobility would be the route. Did anyone notice the look of…..perhaps pride on Hitake’s face when this was going on?

A plan to recover the Narvik Virus is hatched. Jordan and Alan will immobilize the Vectors by lowering the base temperature enough to create a window for infiltration. Time is limited and the two have just enough left on the clock before the cold kills them all.

The decent into Level X brought back memories of Star Trek and the Borg where at any moment the enemy might wake. I always hated those scenes because it was so terrifying. Helix reproduces the same juxtaposition between horror and awe beautifully. Jules and Dr. Farragut are successful in destroying all the virus, but discover Narvik A and B are missing. They escape with barley enough time to spare after Julia finds yet another hidey-hole which looks exactly like the mountain cabin she grew up in. Hitake’s in trouble now!

Jordan quizzes Hitake regarding the picture and discovery of the new cabin location on the base. Hitake continues to give cryptic answers, however in true Darth Vader style his identity as her father is revealed. Dr. Walker follows Luke’s lead in horror stopping just shy of drawing a blade of her own.

Hitake is left with Sarah who decends into some kind of delirium from her cancer. He questions Alan regarding this terrible oversight and toughener they plan on a path for her care. I’ve a sneaking suspicion she sill be the next inductee into the silver eyed club.

Sergio is still in custody and gains a roomie who informs him Sutton sent a death squad to kill Anana. When the power is cut, Balleseros makes escape and, after clubbing his cell-mate to death, gains a parka. Sergio races outside to a nearby snowmobile and is intercepted by Daniel. The seriousness of the situation is explained an lookie here! The two team up!

I knew Sergio was one of the good guys! Together the guys manage to save Anana and the village and make a damn fine assassination team to boot!

Questions and Observations
What the hell is going on with the vectors?
Has Hitake created a new species with Narvik?
Where is that thieving doctor taking the virus and why?
Why are the Vectors afraid of the Silver Eyes Club members?
Once again the choice of music is genius.