Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Episode 2 - Kurt Russell's Spectacular Monster Debut

The second episode of the Godzilla spinoff series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" is now available for streaming. If you found the previous installment to have too many time jumps, this continuation is even more sporadic. In the first episode, titled 'Aftermath' and reviewed here, the plot unfolds across different decades as we delve into the backstory of the secretive organization Monarch and its connection to the clash of titans.

The main focus of the storyline revolved around Lee (played by Wyatt Russell), Keiko (played by Mari Yamamoto), and Bill (played by Anders Holm) as they investigated MUTOs in the 1950s. Additionally, Cate (played by Anna Sawai) and Kentaro (played by Ren Watabe) discovered that they shared the same father and decided to investigate his life and his connection to Monarch in 2015.

Although the time-jumps could be a bit disorienting at times, significant storylines were being established, some of which had a dramatic conclusion by the end of the episode. This leads us into Episode 2, titled 'Departures.'

The origins of Monarch

Instead of personally initiating those temporal shifts, we shall divide the stories into two, commencing in the 1950s. At this point, soldier Lee Shaw is being disciplined for defending himself against harassers within the US army. Subsequently, he is assigned the duty of safeguarding and monitoring a Japanese scientist.

While on a Manila dock, he encounters Keiko and is initially skeptical of her being a doctor due to her gender. However, Keiko playfully engages in their lively banter. In the jungle, they unexpectedly come across Bill, a cryptozoologist, who fervently seeks the truth.

Keiko and Bill swiftly form a connection as they enthusiastically exchange local tales about massive, fire-breathing dragons, which eventually leads to their marriage. As they venture further, they unintentionally encounter a massive ship, revealing Bill's peculiar link to the people and artifacts on board.

The reappearance of an old friend

However, the lack of dramatic tension is only temporary. The situation takes a turn when they begin searching the boat and discover organic matter covering the walls. To their surprise, they also find sailors trapped in cocoons made of the same material. Just as they are about to make their escape, a massive claw suddenly emerges. And then, out of nowhere, Lee Shaw appears, determined to rescue them from the clutches of what appears to be... a colossal dragon.

Interwoven with these scenes, Cate and Kentaro navigate a constant cycle of conflict and cooperation as they grapple with understanding their father's identity, his actions, and how they themselves fit into this web. Amidst this, Cate encounters a predicament when she crosses paths with a mysterious individual named "Tim" from Monarch, who relentlessly pursues her, abducts her, and demands access to the information she has discovered. Nevertheless, she finds a way to liberate herself, and the valuable files she possesses lead Cate, Kentaro, and skilled hacker May on a journey to a nursing home where Lee Shaw is held captive.

The scene in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters introduces one of its key elements by showcasing Kurt Russell as the older version of the character portrayed by his real-life son, Wyatt. It's exciting to witness the clever techniques used by both actors to establish a connection between the two Lees. In a similar vein, we previously observed a young Shaw behaving as a rebellious individual in the 1950s, and now we witness the older Shaw displaying that same audacity by removing the security tag on his ankle and compelling his newfound companions to join him in evading capture.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Episode 2 score: 3/5

During Episode 2 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, there is a sense of treading water as familiar characters from Episode 1 are reintroduced. Additionally, new mysteries are set up, leaving the hope that they will eventually be resolved as the story unfolds.

Apart from Godzilla and the other MUTOs, Kurt Russell is the prominent figure in the ensemble. It is indeed a relief that he has finally joined the action. We are eagerly anticipating the clash between one of cinema's most charismatic leads and a group of colossal monsters. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is now available on Apple TV, and you can find our review of Episode 1 by clicking here. If you are interested in more TV reviews, please visit this link.

Editor's P/S

In the second episode of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters titled "Departures," we witness Kurt Russell make his spectacular debut as a monster. The episode is a thrilling continuation of the Godzilla spinoff series, delving deeper into the intriguing origins of Monarch. While the time jumps in this episode are even more sporadic than in the previous one, significant storylines are being established, leading to dramatic conclusions.

One of the highlights of this episode is the introduction of Kurt Russell as the older version of the character portrayed by his real-life son, Wyatt Russell. The clever techniques used by both actors to establish a connection between the two Lees are truly commendable. It's fascinating to see how the younger Shaw, who was rebellious and audacious in the 1950s, has evolved into the older Shaw, who retains that same audacity and determination. The scene where the older Shaw removes his security tag and compels his newfound companions to evade capture is a testament to his unwavering spirit.