Happy Wednesday TV fans!  “This is not a test, this is your Emergency Broadcast System. Announcing the commencement of the annual purge sanctioned by the U.S. Government.  Commencing at the siren, any and all crime (including murder) will be legal for 12 continuous hours.”  So you have seen The Purge movies and you are ready to set your alarms once again to find out what happens on this particular purge night.  Only this purge is spread across 10 episodes on television.  After watching the USA network’s The Purge season 1 episode 1 last night, I was introduced to several new characters who are about to experience their very own Purge Night.  While some characters leave something to be desired, others did capture my full attention and I was particularly intrigued by the cult that centers on “stepping into the invisible.”  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “What Is America?” the countdown to Purge Night has already started and we step into the lives of several new characters only to discover that they each have secrets of their own, which will most likely cause their past to bleed into their present on Purge Night.  My top 5 moments from The Purge season 1 episode 1 are:

5

“Rich people don’t kill each other on Purge Night.”

Two of the new characters we are introduced to are Rick and Jenna, played by Colin Woodell and Hannah Emily Anderson.  We learn that they are a married couple and are on their way to attend an NFFA party.  As a reminder, the NFFA stands for “New Founding Fathers of America.”  Even though we find out it is to negotiate a business deal that could eventually benefit the poor and less fortunate, it doesn’t seem like a great idea to do this on Purge Night, but their potential new partner apparently only conducts important business deals on this particular night.  Against their better judgment, Rick and Jenna travel to the party, reminding themselves that they do not want to join the NFFA.  Something tells me that they are not going to really get a choice in the matter, but I’m willing to somewhat believe that they are good people deep down.  Only we are presented with several flashbacks, which show Rick and Jenna involved in a ménage a trois with Lila.  We find out that Lila is the daughter of their potential new business partner but that she will not be at the party.  Jenna is clearly more nervous and apprehensive about her possible guest appearance than Rick, which has me already wondering what else happened between them.  Clearly the affair or relationship did not end well for someone, but we will have to wait to find out.

4

“You know I’m always watching and listening Jane.”

During the episode, we are also introduced to Jane, played by Amanda Warren.  Jane’s mother is in the hospital and she begs her daughter not to work on Purge Night.  Jane reassures her mother that where she is working is very safe and it seems like she has the respect and approval of most of her employees.  After a briefing about the importance of their business on this particular night from their boss, David, played by William Baldwin, he reminds Jane that he is always watching.  Later in the episode, Jane leaves the only secure floor of the building to meet a stranger by the doorway.  The stranger explains that they need to wait for the purge to begin and once it does, Jane is handed an envelope.  What’s inside?  We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like Jane may be looking to purge after all.  Is she looking to take out her boss or is there another potential enemy we have not yet detected?

3

“The fear went away.”

The character I was most interested in was Miguel, played by Gabriel Chavarria.  Miguel is a Marine who has been away and is now on a mission to find his sister after he receives a cryptic letter from her.  Out of all of the characters we have met so far, Miguel seems to be the most genuine.  He has the potential to be our very own Leo from The Purge movies, played by Frank Grillo, but he needs to be a little bit rougher around the edges to achieve that level of bad-ass behavior.  Miguel is completely focused on finding his sister and we learn that they both lost their parents on a previous Purge Night.  Even though Miguel will do anything to find his sister, he does take the time to help out a stranger in need, which sets him up to be our moral compass in the midst of the masked monsters that emerge on Purge Night.

2

“Let the fun begin.”

During the NFFA party, the guests are given one last chance to leave before the Purge begins.  Rick and Jenna nervously glance at each other, but neither of them makes a move to the exit.  All of the guests are handed out masks of previous murderers like the Manson family.  They are told, “Commemorate those who paved the way and purged before it was legal.”  While Rick and Jenna do not want to wear the masks, they also don’t want to stick out too much at the party.  Jenna has already bonded with a maid and it’s clear that she has a good heart, but what will she do now that Lila has made her grand entrance into the party, played by the fabulous Lili Simmons.  Lila is decked out in a gorgeous green sequined gown and has not yet spotted Rick and Jenna.  Something tells me that Jenna’s good girl act is about to change now that she is trapped with a potential enemy.

1

“Step into the invisible.”

During the episode, we learn that Miguel’s sister, Penelope, played by Jessica Garza, is involved in some type of cult.  It’s clear that Penelope must have been broken and in need of help, as Miguel initially looks for her in a rehabilitation center.  While we do not yet know the particulars of what happened to their parents, Penelope seems very impressionable.  Miguel desperately tries to find his sister, as the bus takes off in the middle of purge night.  Everyone is wearing ceremonial garments and they continue to chant about the importance of giving and the invisible.  Miguel finds out that giving means “to be purged upon,” and that the invisible is a form of heaven.  When the first cult member steps off the bus, as purge night begins, he initially seems confident and satisfied with his decision.  However, once he begins to glance at the masked strangers in front of him, dangerously clutching their weapons, the fear begins to take over.  He is brutally beaten to death in front of the bus, as Penelope watches in horror.  Does she now realize the fatal consequences of these actions?  Will Miguel be able to get to her before it’s too late?  Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Purge below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Stay up to date on upcoming premieres of horror TV series @ 12nightsofhorror.com/horror-series-coming-soon

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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