My best review from my old account, so thought it would be a good starter review for this one. After this I'm going to start fresh and continue reviewing from where I stopped. 

Pls read If you've watched the leftovers, want to see if I've missed anything, and get others opinions. 👍


I'm writing this review a day after watching it, testing if it was just recency biasy or if this is a top 10 ep oat for me. After careful consideration, it remains in the same place as it was last night, #10, as this episode is something so special and unique, something so creatively written, a masterpiece.

International Assassin focuses on the events that unfold after that crazy plot twist/cliffhanger at the end of 2x7. It just jumps right into the action starting with Kevin being born anew. Kevin is washing away his impurities, cleansing himself spiritually and physically, as he wakes up in a bath gasping for breath. A sense of foreshadowing as he cleanses himself from Patti's presence later on in the episode in another place full of water. Kevin also awakes naked, symbolising his vulnerability and helplessness in the situation, surrounded by unfamiliar territory. He's constantly confused throughout this episode, and is always  guided towards his purpose. 

Another incredible piece of symbolism I identified in this episode, is the 3 locations this episode takes place in. The Hotel, The Bridge and finally The Well. During dreams, hotels often symbolise the transition from one path to another, overcoming stress and pressure and dealing with a difficult situation, all of which Kevin is experiencing. Along with this, a luxurious hotel like the one shown throughout this episode indicates a positive transformation, like how Kevin is vanquishing Patti. The Bridge represents overcoming obstacles and brings about feelings like hope and possibility. It is a way of moving towards new opportunities. Finally The Well is a way of saying Kevin's wishes were satisfied, where he was finally rid of Patti and a bright future awaits. All 3 of these locations had perfect symbolism, which paralled Kevin's journey throughout the ep, a beautiful detail. 

Even small details like the name of the character who guides Kevin, Virgil. His name directly comes from Dante's inferno, where the poet Virgil acted as a guide for Dante through the nine circles of hell. To anyone who loves this episode, if that wants to be enhanced, read Dante's poem since this episode definitely has some influence from it. 

The Well scene is definitely my favourite part of the entire episode, it had everything. Patti's monologue was heartbreaking, the way the writers can humanise an antagonist is magnificent. Patti discusses her marriage and how she suffered under the hands of her husband Neil. It was very emotional and had me near tears since its so tragic how victims of abuse often stay in these toxic relationships. It brought about so much realism which made the scene that much saddening. The revelation of why the GR doesn't talk was also great. "Absolutely nothing, not a word, there's a power to that. Silence. " Silence is well and truly powerful, it sends a message without the use of force or action.

Bird symbolism has been very prominent this season as they have been continuously showing up, again in IA, another bird, this time the one that Erika found dead in the box. Erika revealed earlier in the season that if she dug the box back up after 3 days and the bird was still alive, it meant her wish had come true. This mirrors how at the end of the episode, Kevin's wish ultimately comes true of becoming free from Patti. 

I also finally understand what the meaning of the woman at the beginning of s2. I was told by others it would eventually be explained to me, but now I know that where the Well is where she died. The Well was also called the "Orphans Well" referencing the child who lost their mother. Patti and Kevin also discussing earlier about an orphan who would grow up and have difficulties connecting and giving love to others. A reference to Kevin himself as he's always so distanced from everyone else, always struggling to maintain a relationship with everyone in his life. 

The woman at the beginning is also very interesting now, since due to the overall religious theme of the season, there is recurring links with the Garden of Eden. Jarden/Evie and Eve/Garden,  the woman at the beginning eating the hawks eggs exactly how Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Then leads to the woman's death like how Adam and Eve were banished. Now in IA, the water also mirrors the forbidden fruit, where Virgil suffers the consequences for temptation, " I was thirsty", exactly how Eve was tempted by the serpent. 

This is easily one of the best episodes oat, it so intricately layered with so much symbolism and hidden meaning, where on rewatch I'll probably find more. It feels like a puzzle where you need to find the missing pieces to fully understand it. 

Everything from the acting to the dialogue is 10/10 . I've already mentioned the Well scene as its perfect, but characters like Patti and Kevin were consistent throughout and even the background characters like Gladys or Wayne did an expert job. 

Visually stunning and the music couldn't have been better. Brought about so much tension and suspense, and I was always on edge, expecting something to happen out of the blue especially because of that fight scene at the beginning. How they can balance action packed scenes with emotion filled ones is bewildering, everything is perfect and just speaking about it makes me want to push it up further than #10. 

I'll end on my opinion on Kevin since in a couple of my prior reviews, I mentioned him possibly becoming a top 10 protag for me. With this episode he made his way in and its probably for how convincing Louis Theroux is as the character. No one could play it better, and I'm going to act like I haven't already watched the Homeward Bound scene to keep my biasy out. With that scene he's even higher. 

I genuinely can't possibly comprehend how many people say that 3x7 is a better episode than this. If so 100% guaranteed top 10 oat. 

Overall 10/10





