Warrior Nun 2×08 “Jeremiah 29:13” wrapped up a season of one of Netflix’s best shows with a well-deserved declaration of love, the defeat of Adriel, and the gentle teasing of what comes next. That’s not to say this episode was perfect. Reya absolutely frustrated me and I’m still trying to figure out why Lilith stopped siding with Adriel. But that’s what reviews are for so let’s dive in!
Ava’s Choice & the Death of Michael
Choices like the ones Ava made in Warrior Nun 2×08 “Jeremiah 29:13” always bother me. They set the hero on a solo journey. And I get that its one built on wanting to protect your loved ones. But it takes away your loved ones choice to fight these battles alongside you. Because if there’s anything that I’ve learned from copious amounts of TV, it’s that teamwork makes the dreamwork. And like every good hero, Ava needs to learn this. And maybe in “Jeremiah 29:13” she did or she will in the future.
Ultimately, shows like this are about giving your characters some grace. They’re not going to figure everything out in the pace that you want. They’re going to figure it out at their own pace, thanks to the writers. And if anything, the Warrior Nun writers have taught me to be patient, kind, and give heroes like Ava a chance to blossom. That lesson was especially true in season two when you take into consideration how this show took the appropriate steps to empower Ava to have confidence in herself, her abilities, and her destiny in life.
Ava has changed and grown into someone to be proud of in season two of Warrior Nun. They all have. Even Michael, which we only had the grown up version for a little bit, grew into a fierce warrior with love and hope in his heart. And it’s for this reason that I desperately need a season three. Because if this show can make us invest so much of ourselves in characters we know and love and the newbies that comes along the way, that’s a sign of a great understanding of what we want to see as viewers and just the complexities and facets of the human condition. And we need more of that. We always do.
Avatrice Exchanging “I Love You’s”
Every moment in Warrior Nun season two between Ava and Beatrice has been a work of art. It’s been perfectly timed, honest, and hit bumps that have only made them stronger. And so see them kiss and share “I love you’s”…it hurts just as much as it brings me joy. It makes me happy because love stories like this aren’t normalized yet. And it’s with every great ship like Avatrice that we move the goal post closer to equality. But it also makes me sad because they exchanged feelings only when one was hurt and when one couldn’t hear it. It counts. But it hurts all the same.
For Ava, this has been a long time coming. Beatrice has been a beacon of light for her since she got the Halo. And when they hid away together, Beatrice was there as Ava became more grounded and comfortable with herself. It also helped that Beatrice trained her to fight, leading her to know that she’s more than capable. That bond, it glows between them. And its ripe with gratitude, joy, kindness, grace, and a love that Ava has never felt. So she holds it dear like she held Beatrice when she kissed her, held her close, and told her that she loved her.
As for Beatrice, she’s still terrified of what she feels. But she’s trying. NAd even though she wasn’t able to say it to Ava’s face that she loved her, she spoke the words out loud. She made them real. And one day, she’ll say them to Ava’s face. Until then, she’s going to hold close everything Ava made her feel as she finds a new home, purpose, or life out there. That makes it, in a way, like Ava isn’t really gone. Beatrice carries her inside her heart, speaking of a bond that is as close to soulmates as I have ever seen a show do. That’s another reason why “Jeremiah 29:13” can’t be the end.
I’m Having Trouble Understanding Lilith
First of all, why did Ava and Michael go in there without taking into account Lilith? She’s absolutely the biggest threat next to Adriel and I feel like it was a lack of planning or a conscious choice that I do not understand. Yet. Maybe in season three. But right now I’m at a loss as to why this baddie wasn’t recognized for the threat that she is. It took Lilith but a moment to kill Michael. And a part of me feels like this could’ve been avoided or at least they would’ve had a better chance in the final battle in Warrior Nun 2×08 “Jeremiah 29:13.”
Personally, I’m also struggling with what stopped Lilith in her tracks. She killed Michael and was ready to take on Ava with everything that she had for Adriel. And in a split second, everything changed. It’s as if she saw something she wasn’t expecting or made a realization that was right in front of her. Whatever it was, I don’t get it and the writing didn’t lead me to that point. And this is damn sad considering how much I’ve liked this season as a whole and the exploration of Lilith’s character in comparison to the rest of the women.
So that leaves theories. Lilith must’ve realized at that moment that this was bigger than her. This was bigger than all of them. And Adriel wasn’t the way that she was going to get the respect, love, and understanding she’s always desired. It’s up to her. It’s always been. She just got a little lost along the way. And I do appreciate Warrior Nun writing a storyline where a woman gets to mess up, fuck around, and find out. Especially if it means that she’s going to rise and find her footing once more. Because if Father Vincent can find his way back, then Lilith sure as hell can.
Reya, Thank You for Being Useless
The weakest part of Warrior Nun 2×08 “Jeremiah 29:13” was surprisingly Reya. Like…what was the point of her besides providing Adriel a foe? Because of the way that everyone talked her up, Reya was a baddie. But I didn’t get that energy from her at all. Instead, I got someone who is worse than Adriel. Yes, I said that. Because at least Adriel can step it up and fight his own battles as he did with Ava in this episode. What did Reya do besides stand there and remind me of the Empress from The Neverending Story?
Storywise, I know I have to be patient. She had some sort of conversation with Ava when she put on the crown of thorns. And Michael looked upon her once and knew that he had to stay the course. She has power and influence. But where was it when she was dragged from her dimension into this one by Adriel’s wraiths? If anything, the woman who was responsible for training Michael, would’ve gotten her hands dirty and finally finished Adriel. Instead, she looked pretty, got nothing on her pretty outfit, and stood with her back to all the calamity that was happening.
Right now, Reya is not someone I would want to follow into battle. Sure, she’s a lesser evil than Adriel, but I’m not down for baddies who just look like baddies and don’t actually help out. And in a spectacular season of Warrior Nun she felt like the weakest part of the season as a whole. There was no substance to her or anything to make me curious about who she is, why Adriel was fighting so hard to gain her power to defeat whatever cosmos or monsters are out there. Yes, she wielded absolute power over the Tarask. But everything was lackluster.
But *deep breath* every episode of a show doesn’t need to be perfect and I can wait. Because this show has changed my mind about a lot of things. Maybe they’ll do the same for Reya when this show gets a season three.
Notes for Warrior Nun 2×08 “Jeremiah 29:13”:
- Father Vincent really ended up back with the OCS? Girl, you got a lot to make up for.
- But more importantly, my baby Yasmine. She’s alive. She’s well. And she kicked some major ass in this episode. I can’t wait for more of her in season three!
- Hopefully Lilith gets an upgrade in the wardrobe department.
- But I am digging the face makeup progression.
- Also, is anyone else weak for forehead kisses?
- That’s all I can think about.
- Gentle and tender forehead kisses that speak of intimacy that you can’t even begin to comprehend.
- Just…FLUFF!
Warrior Nun season 2 is now available on Netflix.
I loved reading your reviews of the different s2 episodes! I agree about Reya, I was surprised she didn’t do more in that last confrontation. I’m curious about whether a future season would explain why.
Do you intend to do a full s2 season review on Rotten Tomatoes? The season could use some more critics reviews, in case this can help getting a renewal for Warrior Nun.
i wish we had season 3 🙁