The Strain recap: 'Bad White' 

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, a distraught Eph was facing a terrible dilemma — should he deliver the Occido Lumen to the care of the Master (who surely would use the text against his human enemies), and in return, be reunited with his still-living son? Or should he prevent the chief vampire from gaining hold of the book and risk never seeing Zack again? At the conclusion of tonight’s episode, “Bad White,” it’s Quinlan who steps in to offer another path — ally instead with the Born, steal the ancient book, and use it to save the world. Leaving aside Eph’s qualms about Quinlan’s vampiric side, there’s no question which is the more appealing choice.

There is, however, a question of just how human Zack will be when and if he’s reunited with his dad. Is one taste of the Master’s blood enough to sway a young boy’s loyalties? It’s one of the chief questions raised during the latest installment, which saw nearly everyone hunting for something: Eph searching for the fastest way to be reunited with his boy, Setrakian scouring the pages of the much-coveted Lumen for clues to defeat the Master, and an ailing Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde) continuing to seek eternal life by securing unfettered access to the restorative properties of the White… Even if it means turning to Setrakian for help.

Quinlan’s proposal to Eph couldn’t have arrived at a better time. By the time the epidemiologist arrives at the Olympian Club, seemingly to tell Setrakian and Fet about the massive train derailment that led to Nora’s demise and Zack’s capture, he appears to be seriously considering the Master’s offer. Consumed by guilt and grief and (still) drinking to self-medicate, Eph shares with his comrades how he failed to make it out of New York, but says nothing about the Lumen — except to ask whether it contains explicit instructions on how to kill the Master.

Setrakian counters that he’s only just begun work on the translation, counseling that the book is written in puzzles and metaphors. The closest thing Setrakian can offer is a passage reading, “When the face of God shineth up him, his essence is destroyed.” He goes on to say any successful effort must take place during an occultation. According to Fet, the next eclipse in New York City isn’t scheduled until April 8, 2024. Plenty of time for the Master to subjugate the human population.

Meanwhile, Eichhorst meets with Palmer and chides him that an insufficient number of patients have registered their blood types at his freedom centers. He suggests Palmer should exert his influence over Justine Feraldo to encourage more visitors to submit to medical examinations. Palmer swallows his rage and coolly pleads with Eichhorst for the White, but the Nazi angrily barks “Rewards must be earned!” Should Palmer find Setrakian and retrieve the Lumen, then perhaps the Master will deign to consider Palmer’s needs.

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