Thursday's Dead Set saw the demise of Alex, who warned Riq of the risks to get to the Big Brother house, but by them going unheard, she was the one who suffered. Irony!

Remember Alex's look of doom at the end of the third episode? Foreshadowing at it's best, IMHO. She felt her death coming from the 36 miles it took to get to the Big Brother house, but Alex didn't want to be alone in that safe farmhouse she and Riq left behind. One of Alex's final lines, "I liked our farmhouse", dripped of ironic disgust at the stupidity of their decision and how it got her killed. I don't know about you, but if I was Alex, I would've been one lonely bastard until someone else came along. On the other side, I can see why Riq wanted to reach Kelly, but he should've thought the plan through. I don't really think he cared about killing Alex, because he really didn't know her, which is sad since she saved him plenty of times. In some respects, one could say Riq unconsciously used Alex as a means to get back to Kelly, not knowing she cheated on him recently. Not that it will matter now, but still.

Irony.

Back at the Big Brother house, the Housemates get deep by having a conversation on how things went to hell. Joplin, an atheist, thinks if the Bible is true then they are living through Judgement Day due to our culture which is all about fame, war, sex, etc. The sad part about the rant is Joplin was hitting on something, especially with God punishing us for caring about trivial things like Big Brother. He might also be ticked about us about our obsession with Dancing With The Stars and Jersey Shore. Who knows? Also, when Kelly and Space "rescued" Pippa and Patrick, they noticed how the zombie masses had for some reason convened on the outside of the Big Brother compound. As Joplin declared earlier in the episode, the fans of Big Brother worshipped the show and are drawn to the house. It echoes the sentiments given by the characters in George Romero's Dawn of the Dead in terms of why the zombies ended up in the mall. Our obsession then was mass consumerism; now it's reality television and its tropes.

Speaking of reality television, let's talk about Patrick pretty much acting like a complete jerk, yet calling out the stereotypical tropes that go into making a reality show work. He degrades all of the remaining contestants for various reasons, one being how they are so quick to whore themselves out for fame. The way he talks down to them probably mirrors how most producers talk to reality show contestants if they get out of line, especially the females.

In Patrick's world, they are all pawns in his eyes to be knocked down and stepped on. However, like most producers, Patrick forgets that these reality show stars are people, too. So exploiting these people for financial gain doesn't make him any better than those who willingly participate in the circus they signed up for. Now, does Patrick care about that? Not in the least, which doesn't sit well for the contestants now, because Patrick wants to get out and will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. The pawns have now become keys to his escape. He's exploited them before, what makes you think he won't do it again?

A solid episode to set up the grand finale. Hope you don't eat while watching it.

Dead Set 1.04 "Episode Four" Review

Grayson and Angel, you have been evicted from the Big Brother house...

Talk about a double eviction.

The two divas were the first two contestants to bite the dust and succumb to the undead. Marky still blames himself, but Grayson could've been spared if he had of only listened to Kelly and not the dying Angel in front of him, whose body was rapidly becoming zombified when she begged to be untied. At that rate, I would've called it a day, put her out of her misery and lived to see another day. Now, that's all in hindsight, but still...

Let's discuss the weasel that is Joplin, who almost got Veronica killed by being a coward and not helping her with their newly zombie housemates. To make matters worse, the bastard had just pleasured himself while watching Veronica shower not even 30 minutes before the attack happened. Someone like him is not safe to have around the house, only because his hesitation could mean the death of someone else. I don't wish death on anyone, but Joplin needs a swift beating. Veronica isn't too daft, because she handled the situation smartly. Great thinking on her feet, that one.

While hell revisited the Big Brother house, Kelly, Marky, and Space encountered two bumbling cops, who were of no use to them in terms of information or a place of safety. They were, however, helpful in giving the trio some much needed artillery even if it meant them dying to do so. It's funny: the two cops told Kelly and the Housemates they were supposed to remain indoors, yet they were out joyriding as if nothing was going on. Makes me think they weren't actually cops, but what does it matter now? The craziest thing about the whole ordeal? Marky still worried about what the world thought about him and his relationship with Veronica. So much for him maturing a little bit.

Did you see the look on Alex's face when Riq discovered Kelly was alive in the Big Brother house? It went from snarky input on trying to reach the Big Brother house to downright dread when Kelly appeared on the live feed. What do you think was going through her head? Was it the thought of losing someone, a potential new love, to his girl? Did she have a moment of reminiscing about her own lover she lost? Or did Alex see the hell and possible death trying to get to the Big Brother house? She doesn't have to go with Riq on this suicide mission, but she doesn't want to be alone again. Liz May Brice sold that scene, because it had so much foreshadowing that I best shut up before I spoil anything else. If I was her, I would let Riq kill him and find some other survivors to shack up with. The house they are in seems safe enough, why leave?

Anyway, what do you think so far?

Dead Set 1.03 "Episode Three" Review