The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 13 ‘Xander Wax’ is explosive, satisfying, and filled with moments to awe and gasp at as the team’s pursuit to shut down Lazarus’s secret lab full of serial killers ended in her demise.
Unlike Season 1, there are no cliffhangers to agonize over that left us wondering if someone we care about is in danger or peril. In fact, ‘Xander Wax’ is a finale that tied Colonel Lazarus’s villain arc up with a somewhat neat bow. It also was an episode that didn’t focus on the weekly killer of John Corbett’s Xander. Instead it focused on who and why his character was targeting victims close to Lazarus.
There were some shocks, returns of formerly caught killers, and emotional scenes full of heart. Along with intense confrontations in Lazarus’s lab that had us holding our breath as hell broke loose. If you were someone who questioned just how close the team has become, this hour was proof that they’ve turned into a well-oiled machine ready to take anything on together. Whenever one walked into danger, the others were right behind them. And that team dynamic is something we’ve grown to love about this show.
While cliffhangers can be exciting to build anticipation, we also like when stories have a natural conclusion. And The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 13 ‘Xander Wax’ gave us answers about the prison, character growth, and closure in Shane’s storyline with Lazarus. Along with a setting up of future storylines with Bex in a position of power.
MORE: Miss last week’s episode? Watch then read our The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 12 ‘Nancy Albright’ review!
Bex Never Gave Up
Throughout the season Bex has always been the one to gladly step toe to toe with Lazarus. Previously, she had known she was sketchy after learning she worked with Oliver in The Pit. Therefore, nothing really changed when finding out Lazarus was related to Shane and hiding secrets. Bex has always been determined to put an end to her corruption and lies. So, it wouldn’t matter if the moment came and ended in gunfire or handcuffs, just as long as she was taken down or away.
‘Xander Wax’ was satisfying to watch for many reasons. But an important one is that Bex didn’t shy away from her chance to taken Lazarus down. Nothing or nobody was going to stop her from chasing after Lazarus in the midst of chaos during the prison outbreak. Not even the tough Amanda Weiss (Elizabeth Gillies) who held a grudge, wanted a fight, and ended up knocked out on the floor could stop her.
Overall, Bex has always been the type of authority figure worth trusting to stand up for what’s right. So, her storylines in The Hunting Party thus far have been simple to navigate through. She’s the good hero who always wins over the bad guy in the end. But this season felt different for her. Bex had a specific antagonist to focus on despite going on weekly investigations. Pursuing Lazarus brought out a fiery and confident side to her in which she questioned authority, broke protocol, and would eventually risk her life to confront her in the lab. We knew she was going to succeed but the take down felt more personal than usual. Because she’s put so much time and heart into seeking justice for the harm Lazarus has caused people.
Naturally, that was why we didn’t even break a sweat when Lazarus shot her in their final confrontation. Because she’s come too far to fail. And we’re not just saying she lived because she’s the main character of the show. Melissa Roxburgh’s Bex has shown us how strong she is after surviving multiple kidnappings and hostage situations. A bullet to the shoulder wasn’t going to take her down and our logic was correct.
Sharing DNA Doesn’t Automatically Make People Family
While Bex has always upheld her beliefs of good and evil, it’s been a journey to watch Shane struggle with the meaning of those words after finding out Lazarus was his mother. Sure, he’s always known he was a person with values who knew right from wrong. He’s never hesitated to save lives or protect his friends. And he never was shy to show his heart on his sleeve. Ultimately, he’s always known the difference, but he’s been afraid of having no control over his actions because of his biological ties to Lazarus.
Shane had a question lingering in the back of his mind throughout Season 2 that damaged his insecurities. Would his mother’s awful traits also be present in him because they were related? Would being evil like Lazarus be this inevitable thing he couldn’t avoid because of biology? Personally, we’ve always believed the answer to be no to both questions.
We were proud when Shane called his relationship to Lazarus meaningless in ‘Xander Wax.’ Because Lazarus had the upper hand as she kept him, Bex, and Hassani captive in her secret lab. He was the one tied to a chair when he told her that his foster family were the people who raised him. Sure, he may have been alone at times, but it didn’t mean he was without love. He had foster parents who taught him goodness and compassion. And he had no problem saying that to her face in a moment where she could’ve hurt him in retaliation.
Shane was right in saying that sharing DNA doesn’t make people family, not if you don’t want or choose them to be a part of your life.
MORE: Elizabeth Gillies last appeared in The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 4 ‘Amanda Weiss‘!
Goodbye Lazarus
The final stand-off between Shane and Lazarus in ‘Xander Wax’ was one we knew would be their last. Not only because Morales called the military to shut down the lab, but Lazarus was also injured. Her persistence to fight was declining just as Shane’s was elevating after seeing her shoot someone who matters to him.
So, it made sense why Lazarus would try one more time to appeal to him by bringing up their shared military experience. However, it wouldn’t work this time because she wasn’t able to emotionally manipulate him anymore. Shane trusts that he’s always been a good person with morals and a heart because Bex and Hassani wouldn’t let him forget it. And it would be this final and firm opposition to her that would make her tell him the truth. She didn’t want to go back to prison. And the only way to stop her from escaping would be to kill her, which was something Shane didn’t want to do.
Ultimately, their storyline would come to a rather bittersweet and depressing end as a result of their shared stubbornness. Shane may have realized he didn’t want or need the connection with Lazarus. But feeling such detachment wasn’t enough to be able to take the first shot at her. And she utilized his hesitance to try and blindside him. But Bex woke up and took the shot to end her life.
Personally, we can’t fault him for not wanting to hurt her, not after remembering how hopeful he was to think they could have a relationship before learning of all the awful things she’s done without remorse. There will always be this deep part of him that won’t let him forget who Lazarus is to him. Moreover, we’re glad Bex hadn’t fully lost consciousness so she could be the one to take the shot for him. That’s one of the best things about having good friends who care about you. They won’t let you share the burden of loss alone. So, while we feel for Shane, we’ll happily wave goodbye to a woman we never trusted.
The Hunting Party Season 2, Episode 13 ‘Xander Wax’ closed the chapter on Lazarus and we’re excited to see what’s next now that Bex has been promoted to task force leader, especially now that she and the others have loosened their reigns on following the rules when it’s necessary to break them.
Final Thoughts about ‘Xander Wax’
- At first, I thought the Attorney General was working for Lazarus, but she just wanted proof of her corruption. That was frustrating to hear that she wasn’t fully on Bex’s side at first but it’s understandable.
- Lazarus hired Xander to do her dirty work to track down reporters who were investigating her allies. I’m just sad cause the victims didn’t deserve it for trying to do the right thing.
- Phillip Beaumont? Why am I not surprised to learn that he’s a corrupt government official who helped Lazarus build The Pit? Oh wait…
- The way the trio came together to try and fool Xander into thinking they’d kill him if they didn’t get answers. Love it when they get a little evil too.
- This is a trap! GREAT!
- Honestly wish we could’ve seen more of John Corbett. She didn’t hesitate to take him out.
- At least The Pit was nicer. Lazarus has these former serial killers locked up in what looks like a basement.
- Bex is face to face with Amanda Weiss again. I’m scared.
- DOCTOR MALAK. Blast from the past.
- YES SHANE! Stand up for yourself! Talk back to your evil mother! I loved everything about that scene.
- DID YOU SEE HASSANI BREAK THAT GUY’S ARM?
- I genuinely loved seeing them all fight off these killers. That was awesome.
- I never want to see Bex get hurt ever again. No thank you.
- Or Shane in tears. Please and thank you.
- Falling in love with ShaneBex every episode. The way he cradled her waiting for help? Insane.
- Morales is going to get in trouble for this.
- WHO IS HASSANI’S WIFE?
- Shane deserves a hug even if he says he’s okay.
- Beaumont is a good guy?
- Bex is the new leader of the task force! This is great news!
- Now she has to find what looks like thousands of killers who were created and nurtured in The Pit. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY CREATED SERIAL KILLERS?
All episodes of NBC‘s The Hunting Party are available to stream on Peacock.
