Ignorance is Bliss

Emma now with the burden of knowing that Conny has been killed by monsters. Having nightmares as a consequence of this event she can’t put the genie back into the bottle. Mom (Isabella) sweetness towards the children must now feel like a thin facade. She is clearly frighten by Isabella and justifiably so. However, Norman is able to put on a facade of his own. He greets Emma with a exuberant smile. He explains that he believes that “Mom found the bunny,” but doesn’t know who dropped it. He believes that they must smile so they won’t let on what they know.

The quality of the meat

Emma and Norman discuss what the likely parameters are for the “meat.” Norman concludes that ” age equals the grade of meat.” The siblings aged six represented the normal quality of meat and higher quality meat was from the twelve year old children. He deduces that the students with the lowest test scores get shipped out first. They both figure that the significance of the test are connected to the brain. Norman determines that they need to escape in 2 months.

Preliminary escape plan

Emma and Norman head to the wood to hatch their escape plan. At this point you have to wonder where everyone else is. All the siblings and Mom seemed to disappear. Regardless, Norman states that the “house is in the center, then the gate and the forest surrounds them.” They conclude that escaping through the forest during the day would be the best opinion. However, there’s a massive wall that’s tall and thick. It’s too smooth to climb as well. When they return to Mom they discover something more troubling.

Mama’s got you tracked

Mark comes rushing towards Mom in a panic. He’s lost Naila in the woods. Mom pulls out a compass looking thing, she clear know Niala’s whereabouts. Norman and Emma concluded the obvious truth. Mom has a tracking device. Furthermore, Norman assumes that she did it in front of them on purpose. He message “No matter who it is. I won’t let you escape.” It appears that Mom can only know the current location of the orphans, otherwise she would already know who was at the gate. Norman is asked to help with repairing a clock. When he returns he finds Mom with Emma. Afraid of what she’d do he hides and watches from afar. Emma manages to fake Mom out. She does however ask them if “they went to the gate last night,” scaring the shit out of them.

Telling Ray the truth

Norman and Emma consider telling Ray everything. Ray shows up and asks them what happened last night. They inform him and he instantly believes them. He breaks down the various issues they would face. He doesn’t mince words when he tells Emma that getting 37, mostly six year olds over the wall would be improbable. In addition to that they don’t know what’s outside. He concludes that since they’re on a farm that likely means that they outside society is one for demons. Ray believes that leaving them behind is the best option. Emma believes that they can “save the world.” Finally, the stakes get even higher when Mom introduces the infant Carol and Sister Krone.

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This episode had so much in it. First the main protagonist have already been established as geniuses or at least highly intelligent. At first I though it was a little convenient, but how else are several 12 year olds going to outsmart demons and escape. That said this series play’s with knowledge. What you know and when you know it is important. Emma and Norman quickly figure out that Mom must know about the bunny. They quickly realized all the obstacles they face. This mostly lets the audience know what the obstacles are.

There are some issues with the amount of knowledge they possess. How would they understand the concept of a “tracking device,” implanted in the body no less. Clearly, this show couldn’t exists with all knowledge having to be accounted for or it would take forever. Finally, the 2 month harvest period sets up a time limit. Every period they will lose on of the now 38 siblings, which is something that Emma doesn’t want. With the addition of a even younger child and a second adult, The Promise Neverland will likely keep viewers on our toes.