The tale of two sons is back with its second episode and I have to say, if you thought the first episode had heartbreaking moments, this episode does not hold back.
Sean and Daniel are still on the run and navigate dangerous terrain to keep a low profile in their quest to reach Puerto Lobos in Mexico. They manage to find a safe haven in an abandoned cabin in the woods where they stay for a while living on ravioli with their doggy friend Mushroom.
Daniel’s powers are starting to take shape as he learns how to use and control them with guidance from Sean. However, Sean displays concern and lays down some ground rules. Throughout the episode the player can either have Sean scold Daniel for using his powers or let him be and this can impact later events.
Sean decides it’s time for the brothers to end their stay in the cabin and head out again, to see their grandparents. It’s clear they are not close with their grandparents, but they have no other choice. This brings up the mystery around their mother, who apparently left and Sean resents her for it, throwing first names and all.
The day they pack up to leave, things take a truly grisly turn as Mushroom is killed by a cougar. A very easy way to get tears running is a doggy death. I don’t even really like dogs but it got me.
Daniel becomes enraged and moves to kill the cougar with his powers, Sean can either choose to let him or stop him. Either way, poor Mushroom is no more.
Picking themselves up, the brothers make way to Beaver Creek to their very white, very Christian grandparents Claire and Stephen. At first, things are frosty but Claire and Stephen thankfully agree to let the boys stay with them. It really raises spirits that Sean and Daniel are back in an actual home.
A couple of days pass and Sean and Daniel are now far more comfortable and bonding with their grandparents. They are of course banned from going to the outside world to ensure their safety. There’s some mentions of the elusive absent mother Karen and her childhood room but the boys are warned that they cannot go see the room but it’s pretty obvious some snooping will be had later.
Worlds collide as it turns out living next door is Chris from The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit which was a short spin-offish episode following Chris on his wacky escapades as Captain Spirit while trying not to be a nuisance to his dad Charles . Chris also has a deceased parent thus his family life is quite troubled as his father likes to hit the bottle. Chris enters the story from the point he is running away from a pissed off Charles up to his tree house but he falls and is about to hit the ground when Daniel manages to save him in the nick of time. Chris however believes he did it himself and thus begins a web of deceit.
Daniel and Chris quickly become pals which was very heartwarming as they both have gone through some rough times and needed to just be kids and play.
Sean and Daniel join Chris and Charles on a trip to go Christmas tree shopping which seemed entirely foolish as they most likely will be spotted. When they return home, Claire and Stephen are still out so they take the advantage and infiltrate Karen’s room. It’s a sad looking room and there is a real question mark around why Karen exactly left her family and children for.
They come across a letter from Karen asking Clare and Stephen to help the boys after the events in Seattle. Maybe she does care about them after all? I do actually hope that they are able to reunite with Karen, they need their mother now more than ever.
The boys get caught and get into an argument with Clare over the snooping. One thing leads to another and Stephen finds himself trapped under a unstable cupboard. Daniel proceeds to help and Sean can choose to let him or not. Stephen gets rescued either way. As if enough trauma has occurred, a sheriff shows up at the door and Sean and Daniel have to bolt. A police car gives chase and Chris throws himself between the boys and the car, lifting his hand to stop the car. Depending on the choices throughout the episode. Daniel may or may not stop the car. In my play-through he does, which leads to Chris learning that he’s just a muggle.
Sean and Daniel go back on the road, or should I say train tracks as they jump on a train to continue their journey, an idea they got from some travellers they met at the Christmas market. I feel with this episode that the season is starting to hit its stride and the stakes are high. Will they reach Puerto Lobos? Will they find Karen? Will there be some depraved twist where Daniel ends up becoming a villain? We shall see!
At My Desk 