Deadly Class “The Clampdown” broke my heart while showing me that change, love, and found family are there if you just look. The heartbreak is absolutely due to my girl squad of Maria and Saya falling apart. The divide growing between them feels epic, charged, and on the cusp of utter annihilation. I hate it because they’re my boos, but I love it because Deadly Class is taking a risk by testing the bonds between two women, that contrary to popular belief, has nothing to do with Marcus. Maria is off her meds and paranoia, that ugly and thirsty bitch it is, is alive and well in Maria.
“The Clampdown” was also also a display of change, love, and found family in the form of Marcus. His actions, his honesty, his commitment, they are all because of the people he’s connected with at Kings Dominion. Without them he would be lost, alone, and dealing with Fuck face all on his own. And he knows this, acknowledges it with his actions, and ends up showing us the benefits of found family that any of us can achieve and be part of.
So, let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the ugly of Deadly Class’ “The Clampdown”!
The Good – Marcus Laying it Out and Trying to Save His Family
Marcus has grown a lot when you compare him to the man he was in episode one. He’s still the brooding young man who likes to wax poetic about life and the inner workings of positivity and despair. But he’s not alone and he knows it. THAT distinction right there is what has changed Marcus forever.
Saya, Maria, Willie, and Billy have become his found family. It’s something that he never expected to have or even let himself dream about because he couldn’t live through the disappointment if it all fell through. But here he is, surrounded by young men and women who will put it on the line for each other just as much as Marcus would for them.
And it’s SO DAMN beautiful!
Found family has been integral to my survival as a young woman with a trash family to rival Billy’s. And I can see it becoming an integral part in Marcus’ life. It’s the reason why he helped Billy with his father, the reason why he cares about the feud dividing Maria & Saya, and why he tells them all about Fuck Face and the fact that he has Chico’s head aka the one thing that can be their destruction.
Yes, it was dark and twisted, when we look at the journey that has brought Marcus to this place, on this roof, with these people. But I bet that he’d do it again without missing a beat. He’s not alone anymore and if he has to fight for these people then he will. They’re worth it. And he’s worth it too.
The Bad – The Growing Divide Between Maria and Saya
No matter who these two women are dating or who they’re giving heart eyes to, the real love story of Deadly Class is the bond between Maria and Saya. That’s fact. They’ve had each others backs for so long and love each other so much, that it’s heartbreaking to watch them slowly fall apart and away from each other.
I don’t want to point fingers but a lot of it has to do with Maria not taking her medicine. Mental health is no joke and it requires continual care, love, and maintenance. And this is coming from someone who is bipolar. I know what it is to have a mind that lies to you, twists you up and about, and leaves you feeling alone & paranoid. It’s real, fucked up, and exactly what Maria is going through right now.
This paranoia is part of the reason that Maria decides to help the family she despises but has known for her entire life because of Chico. She feels alone, seperated, and like Saya is trying to steal Marcus (one of the only people she has) away from her. And it’s oh so wrong. All of these people care for Maria. But right now, at this moment, they are being tested by a young woman who thinks that everything is ok and that her mind isn’t in need of mental health help.
Maria is in desperate need of help.
Saya could be a little more patient and helpful too. Part of me feels like she’s given up on Maria JUST as things got tough and Maria wasn’t the fun and vibrant one. Like, I know they have 10 episodes but really? Your bond has been shattered to the point where a fight in the lunchroom is the only way to settle things? I call bullshit and I hope that Deadly Class calls bullshit too.
Maria and Saya are the true love story of this crazy, topsy turvy, world created by Rick Remender. And knowing what I do about the comics and what we’ve seen so far, these two young women are in for a hell of a ride. Hopefully they’ll work through their problems and face their challenges, head on.
The Ugly – Master Gao Trying to Overthrow Master Lin
Master Gao scares me.
Part of this fear is due to the fact that she is trying to take down her brother. This is her flesh and blood but she’d rather terrorize her brother and scheme & plan to take control of Kings Dominion for herself. Gao hates that her brother got the opportunities she never did. Gao is jealous that her brother still has his kid while hers is dead. And Gao is furious that he is helping to shape the future of assassin kind.
Gao also freaks me the hell out because of the way that she treats the students. Everyone is a pawn, something she can use, and there’s no changing her mind that she is better than EVERYONE around her. Brandy and Viktor think they’re winning on a betting horse that cares for them and will protect them when things get hot. But they’re just playing into Gao’s hands and will die because of it.
And finally, Master Gao scares the hell out of me because of the way she treats people in general. Her office consists of human beings that she uses as chairs, props, or book holders. That’s not normal in any way, shape, or form. In fact, it’s twisted and speaks of a mind that is shattered to the point where it has no empathy or understanding as to why she does these horrible things.
This disconnect that she has for humanity is going to be her downfall. People don’t make us weaker. They make us stronger. And Gao’s utter disregard of people is going to be her doom and downfall. No one does this alone, even assassins at Kings Dominion.
Favorite Scene from “The Clampdown”:
All I could see is Lara Jean transferring to Kings Dominion and BEING A TOTAL BADASS!
Deadly Class airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Syfy.