The Purge Season 2 Episode 5 Review: House of Mirrors is Action-packed

The Purge’s latest episode “House of Mirrors” opened strong off the bat tonight and kept the crescendo of madness-filled rage amplified from start to finish. Ben’s dorm scene, surreal in modern times.

This review contains spoilers for USA Network’s The Purge Season 2 Episode 5.

The Purge delievered in spades tonight, not letting the foot of the gas for a single minute of running time. An entertaining heist gone wrong leading to a good old fashioned Western standoff combined with a barrage of revelations and insanity. From ‘Esme’ Esméralda locking her father out to consciously perish during one Purge night… To Ben viciously stabbing his new pal on impulse after revealing he was behind the murder of a certain farmer on the news. The cinematography work of Ben rushing back into a University dorm after his psychotic actions really left you with a strange, unexplainable feeling.

That's one bold confession. #ThePurgeTV pic.twitter.com/CYpXRY2mda

— The Purge TV (@ThePurgeTV) November 13, 2019

The whole moment when Ben discovered his Purging friend was not exactly down with ‘Purging’ in other times was monumentally tense and well done. Ben went into pure fight or flight mode instantly and chose both. The only person he thought understood the new him, became a liability instantly.

I interviewed actress Paola Nuñez recently and she mentioned Esme’s sister having a lot to do with Esme joining the NFFA. Tonight it was revealed what Nuñez meant but it also cast Esme as something else entirely. She’s not just a pure hearted individual looking out for her sister. Despite saving her sister from her father’s drinking… The way Esme locked the door on him on Purge night as he pleaded with her to let him in was pure savagery. She listened as a gang murdered her father, and tears or not, did nothing to rescue him. No longer can Esme be looked at as some kind of sheep in wolf’s (NFFA) clothing.

The Purge Starts off with a big time opening scene

THE PURGE — “House of Mirrors” Episode 205 — Pictured: Purge Tourists — (Photo by: Alfonso Bresciani/USA Network)

The Purge opened strong tonight and with a fresh concept, Purge tourism. An as of yet, unexplored intriguing part of the franchise. Purge Pamphlets were given out presumably in a Brazil travel office by the Portuguese spoken. One sister seemed more keen on the idea than the other, playing the reluctant ‘I don’t want to Purge sister.’ Then suddenly, when the Purge-happy sister left the room briefly, the other sister inquired about refunds for a return ticket that wouldn’t be used… If you get the drift!

Credit to the show for going the extra mile on the Ivory Road concept… One that actually did exist in real life once upon a time for those unaware. It’s utilization by Marcus with The Purge’s open market has been exceptionally fascinating.

Ominous missteps

THE PURGE — “House of Mirrors” Episode 205 — Pictured: Max Martini as Ryan Grant — (Photo by: Alfonso Bresciani/USA Network)

Hints of failure for Ryan’s heist first became apparent when Tommy’s insider was living up to his bad reputation. Bringing a weapon with approval, temporarily distracting Ryan and Sara. The insider would later meet his brutal end, after getting too greedy.

Tense Questioning

THE PURGE — “House of Mirrors” Episode 205 — Pictured: Jaren Mitchell as Doug Vargas — (Photo by: Alfonso Bresciani/USA Network)

Doug Vargas being questioned for keeping his car running felt notably tense. Viewers honestly didn’t know if he was about to be beat up by security or worse… Or let go, scot free. It could have gone either way.

Heist’s failure leads to making a deal with the devil

THE PURGE — “House of Mirrors” Episode 205 — Pictured: Chelle Ramos as Sara Williams — (Photo by: Alfonso Bresciani/USA Network)

One of the best parts of tonight’s episode was Ryan trying to sneak a peek at who had just entered the house… Only for the door to creek and alert the armed residents of their existence. It’s not too often TV Shows still pay attention to audio work in such a detailed, precise manner and it was great to see her. Ryan’s pained face at the audible noise said it all.

It was then Ryan Grant realized the whole plan had gone down the drain. He called his last ace… A former crooked police chief/boss he once quit on based over principle. Breaking a deal for a cut of his planned grand larceny. However, now Ryan’s back to informing his old boss of every move he takes. Trapped in freedom.

[rwp-review id=”0″]

Be sure to check out a recap of last week’s Purge episode and catch up on the series!