There’s almost nothing to be happy about after watching The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 1 ‘Ron Simms.’ Things feel heavier, more intense, and we were left uncomfortable, and therefore impressed, by Eric McCormack’s Ron Simms—a killer who paralyzed women who didn’t want to love him unconditionally. On top of character dynamics shifting, Lazarus is now leading the team without them suspecting she’s their biggest threat to take down. If this darker tone to the show tells us anything, it’s that everything has changed.
This team may look like they are on the same page, but they aren’t entirely or truly unified. Shane confided in Sarah Dulles and Morales about dissecting the tapes of his mother, Lazarus, in The Pit. While Sarah said she couldn’t see him anymore, it was Morales who lied to him, even if she had her reasons. Bex is actively grieving Oliver and has become colder and somewhat reckless.
She’s not the same person she was before losing Oliver, and Shane won’t be the same once he finds out who he’s related to. He’s become a grounding force for Bex and Hassani, someone whom they can trust and lean on. What happens when he learns he’s the son of a cold, apathetic killer who wants destruction? As someone who wants to be good, Shane is going to have to unpack that. And it’s up to him whether he does it with or without his friends.
Nothing bad has happened yet, but we can tell that when either of them falls apart, it won’t be pretty. A messy downfall is what awaits them if they don’t start confiding in each other. The pursuit of truth and justice, for both Bex and Shane in their own ways, has made their actions personal. Which is dangerous with a job like this. Overall, The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 1 ‘Ron Simms’ had us on the edge of our seats as we’re left thinking of what’s to come.
MORE: Read our interview with Season 2 guest stars Eric McCormick and his son Finn where they talk about sharing the screen together HERE!
Oliver’s Fate
Admittedly, we’re surprised that the cliffhanger in the Season 1, Episode 10 ‘Jenna Wells’ finale was resolved so quickly. Were we expecting a drawn-out, suspenseful storyline where Oliver was in a coma? No, not really. But we had hope they were going to keep him alive for Bex’s sake. She deserves to have people around her who care about her, and Oliver, despite his complexities, did love her. So, we are sad to see him dead and gone.
For the others on the team, they weren’t even remotely close to Oliver like how Bex was. As a matter of fact, they had rocky relationships with him as someone they didn’t trust for the majority of Season 1. Hassani didn’t think he was worthy of being on their team; Shane was mostly neutral, as was Morales. As much as they could’ve opposed Oliver, they gave Bex the space to feel her feelings in this episode. It hurt to watch Bex sit alone and clink beer bottles with an empty chair in Oliver’s old office when the team was outside. But it was what she wanted.
Despite how long it took them to reconcile, Bex couldn’t deny that for a period of her life, Oliver was her person. They mattered to each other, and it was important to make that clear. As much as it hurt to watch Bex cry at his grave, we’re glad to see that sentiment proven boldly. We didn’t see a body or a funeral, but we did see how much Bex cared for and missed Oliver. He’ll be someone she’ll think about forever, and that’s undeniable.
MORE: Fangirlish got to sit down with The Hunting Party Showrunner J.J Bailey to talk about Bex and Shane’s relationship! Read HERE!
Bex Has Changed
Previously, in episodes like Season 1, Episode 4 ‘Doctor Ezekiel Malak’, Bex was relieved in fighting off a killer. She made it out, and that was what mattered. However, there was a certain confidence and satisfaction in taking down Simms here that’s worth noting. She fought hard, but once she had the upper hand, she didn’t let up. Whether she was impatient to wait for back-up or not, Bex was choosing to end someone’s life. If you asked us, it was as if killing Simms would mean getting an ounce of justice in avenging Oliver’s death. It would be a relief to feel the pain loosen in her chest. And it’s a feeling that’s new, wildly dangerous, and harmful for Bex.
Grief can change a person; that’s certain. The emotion also holds power and weight over how you live the rest of your life. Grieving someone you loved is not a linear process, and there’s a large possibility you’ll never get over the pain. But moving forward with their memory is how you survive. It’s how the pain dulls.
And we have a feeling Bex is becoming reckless and thinking without consequences is because of Oliver. His loss is fueling her motivation to do her job. It’s making her effective, but angry. And for someone who risks her life every day, a “I’ll do anything to take killers down, knowing I can handle it’ attitude will push her into making rash decisions without thinking. One day, it’ll come crashing down, and she won’t be able to get the upper hand. Although the confidence she has in herself has grown, it stems from a place of pain. If she doesn’t have anyone telling her it’s wrong, Bex could eventually go all the way and get caught in a situation or headspace that she cannot get out of.
Other Thoughts
- Can someone tell me I’m not the only one afraid of DMVs now after that opening sequence?
- I genuinely feel bad for the rabbits.
- Hassani should’ve hit send on the video of confessing that the government was lying to everybody. Just saying.
- Eric McCormick is great at playing a psychopath. Wow.
- Seeing Oliver’s grave hurt.
- Need the attorney general gone.
- Bex is right for talking back to her because finding these killers is more important than keeping secrets.
- The reunion hugs got me. I missed this team together.
- “Everyone wants connection.”
- Don’t make me feel bad for him.
- This is why I’d never trust dating services. Sorry, not sorry.
- Debbie!!
- In the end, I’m glad she’s okay. I’m stressed out.
- If Bex knew Simms found out they were trapping him, why didn’t she move locations?
- “You won’t shoot me.”
- Women are so powerful. She’s fighting him while her hands are tied. Are you seeing this?
- SHANE.
- He was able to land a shot while the car was moving?!
- Bex was not letting up there.
- Shane is right in saying she shouldn’t have his death on her conscious.
- I can’t believe Hassani wants to give his daughters a pet rabbit that belonged to a serial killer.
- Soooo we all saw how Morales looked at Shane and Bex? Okay. I see them, too.
- Bex drinking in Oliver’s empty office broke me a little.
- Well, this isn’t good.
What did you think about The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 1 ‘Ron Simms’? If you have any thoughts about the show, leave your own review/rating in our The Hunting Party hub!
NBC‘s The Hunting Party airs Thursdays at 10 pm EST.
