Echo: All 5 episodes recapped, reviewed, and ranked
Episode 2 - "Lowak"
This second episode of Echo takes us on a journey, beginning with a nostalgic trip to 1200AD in Alabama. Here, we're treated to scenes of Native American tribes playing a game that kind of resembles lacrosse - but the tribe that loses has to give up the territory and move somewhere else. After an incredibly lengthy scene where we see one of the female players, Lowak, gets pretty tense about the match as she somehow ends up channeling the mystical power that Chafa, the first Choctaw, was given at the mystical underground pool. Lowak's tribe wins the game and they get to stay. Hooray!
With no explanation of why we saw what we saw, we fast forward to the present and find Maya waking up to a pleasant surprise - Biscuits waiting outside with a feast. Maya, ever the planner, hands over a shopping list and some cash to Biscuits, sending him off on an errand to the local store where he encounters Skully - their hilarious grandfather with a heart of gold. The entire scene in his shop is ridiculously entertaining and, sadly, pretty accurate.
Meanwhile, the plot thickens as Chula, Maya's grandmother, finds out Maya's in town as her family openly talks about her return. Chula, cautious yet curious, visits Henry at the skating rink to discuss the situation. Concerns are voiced, especially regarding Biscuits' impressionability under Maya's influence. Henry reassures her that Maya's just passing through town, stirring no trouble - but we all know better.
Cut to Maya, who decides it's time for action as she gets Biscuits to drive her to a certain spot. In a daring move, she jumps onto a moving train, performing a risky infiltration to plant some explosives that are headed straight to Fisk's men. But, of course, it's not all smooth sailing - her prosthetic leg gets stuck. Displaying her strength, channeling the mystic powers of her people as we get flashbacks of Chafa and Lowak, Maya frees herself and escapes, much to Biscuits' relief.
The plot takes a dark turn when the shipment Maya intercepted ends up in Fisk’s warehouse and the explosion ensues, causing chaos and presumably many casualties. Henry, learning about the explosion, urgently messages Maya for a talk. In a twist of events, Maya visits Skully, seeking repairs for her prosthetic leg and not even saying a thank you. Something that really bothers me in this show is how ungrateful Maya is towards her family, only using them as needed. Anyway, he tells her she should talk to her grandmother, as she can trace Maya's lineage all the way down to Chafa, the first Choctaw. Maya brushes it off and leaves, without ever saying thank you. Rude.
Meanwhile, Biscuits is being funny on the fire dispatch radio, joking with Bonnie - who is a firefighter. He slips up, accidentally revealing to Bonnie that Maya's in town. Drama escalates as Henry confronts Maya, accusing her of inciting war and chaos in their once-peaceful town. Maya stands her ground, claiming she knows what she's doing. But the question lingers - does she really?
The episode ends with Bonnie texting Maya, asking her why she's avoiding her, and that triggers Maya into shooting the swing set outside her old house - the one where she and Bonnie used to play together. Why so mad at Bonnie, Maya?
Episode 2 ranking: 4th place.