Warrior Review: If You Wait by the River Long Enough (Season 2 Episode 7)

Moves are made, but they may be the kind with dire consequences. On Warrior Season 2 Episode 7, “If You Wait by the River Long Enough,” we are given massive leaps in story, and both Young Jun and Penelope will likely find that growing more freedom and power is not always a good thing.

After Vega’s death on Warrior Season 2 Episode 6, “To a Man with a Hammer, Everything Looks Like a Nail,” it’s easy to think that no more seismic shifts will occur until we’re nearly at the end of the season; instead, Young Jun ascends to the throne and Samuel Blake finds himself, well, quite dead.

But first, the Hop Wei clash (or lack thereof).

It’s a fast shift, watching the clan shift over to Young Jun, but it’s one of necessity. Change is in the air across Chinatown, and this is the smarter move as Father Jun plays for calm over opportunity. But calm is likely the better option where Mai Ling is concerned.

It’s curious how those who have been playing the game longer can so easily see how Ah Sahm is the one making the moves rather than Young Jun. Both Father Jun and Chao can see right through Young Jun’s naivety, though not exactly in disrespect, but through noting that Ah Sahm is almost like a shark among fish.

They both know he’s the one really in charge, and Father Jun’s words look like they are causing some pause or second guessing on Young Jun’s part. Is it because he’s realizing Ah Sahm is really the one calling the shots, or because he’s seeing how daunting the task at hand is, and he will need Ah Sahm more than ever?

Ah Sahm is the better fighter, and more of the idea man, after all (which isn’t a knock on Young Jun, but on how the story is shaking out).

It’s a great place, story-wise, for both, as it’s placing doubt when they finally have things exactly as they wanted them. Though it’s not done in the cleanest of ways, it speaks to the respect the Hop Wei have for them, and shows that kindness isn’t weakness, but a form of mercy.

Maybe the next move is for others to diminish their friendship, and pit brother against brother. There’s a sense of finality over the season now, so perhaps that’s where things will head.

The confrontation between Penny and Samuel is definitely one of the more surprising climaxes Warrior has gone for. There’s a real moment there where it feels like this is the end for Penny, if it isn’t for Jacob.

It’s one thing to take down an abusive and raging husband, but another entirely when it’s the mayor of San Francisco. The avenues the show can go down for the fallout are certainly plentiful, but it also creates one that is possibly even more frightening: Buckley will likely take over as mayor.

Mai Ling may have an incriminating photo of him, but now that he is likely to ascend to the top of the city, he may become the ultimate schemer he’s only been flirting with before. His xenophobic rhetoric, whether it’s intentional or playing the game, will only increase now, leaving Chinatown as a dangerous place just as power is being consolidated.

We have seen in real life what happens when someone in power is confronted with humiliating, scandalous stories, and so Buckley may not take it well and order a sweep over Chinatown to take down all of his enemies in one swoop with Leary as his weapon. Maybe everyone will come together for a larger cause (though that’s probably too optimistic).

Bill’s reign over Chinatown is starting to show some cracks, just as he’s gaining popularity. Lee’s loss of confidence in him has been a long time coming, and the pocket watch may be that final straw. Even Leary and the cop at the brothel crime scene see it, knowing Bill is a fan of transaction rather than action.

But the question is, where does this lead? Will this be Bill’s ultimate downfall, that Lee will uncover the conspiracy to lock up Zing for the crimes and look for a way to take him down? Or is it more likely that Bill continues to lose respect while he retains the image of fighting corruption and crime?

With the way Mayor Blake is dispatched so suddenly, there’s this sea change where main characters are starting to feel vulnerable and no longer permanent. Maybe this will all lead to Bill’s downfall, in the end, as he has already lost his family, and maybe his job will be that final domino.

One place Warrior is finding a lot of fulfilling story is with Ah Toy. Olivia Cheng is consistently great on each and every episode, and here, where Ah Toy realizes she has to let go of Lai as the bloodlust grows and grows, is like leaving behind a piece of herself.

It turns out to be a lucky move, as her business partner Patterson looks to be making a permanent move against her. With the way Lee is starting to piece things together, maybe he will come to Ah Toy’s aid just in time to save her and to solve the swordsman mystery, but there’s also no reason to doubt Ah Toy and her prowess.

But there’s also the concern that these new enemies may find out about Nellie’s haven, which would be a tragic way to close out that storyline. It’s far enough out into the country, though, so hopefully that doesn’t happen.

Power is an intoxicating position, and everyone on Warrior either wants it or doesn’t want to lose it. While this may be a slower episode than usual, it does so by drilling deep into the characters and revealing their fears and resentments.

Some additional thoughts on the episode:

• Zing seems to be enjoying his day in court, almost like it amuses him, the pageantry of it all. He could easily break free of those chains, so maybe he’s just biding his time and will become the big threat again going into the final episodes.
• Mai Ling’s need for power is now also coming into play in the bedroom, and although Li Yong gives in, he still hesitates at first.

 

What did you think of this episode of Warrior? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Warrior airs Fridays at 10/9c on Cinemax.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

10 TV Characters Whose Faces We’ve Never Seen (and 5 Whose Voices We’ve Never Heard)