The Strain Episode 11 Recap: Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

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Yeah I'm Thinking Maybe You Shouldnt Go In There... Just A Hunch

This week's episode is actually entitled "The Third Rail" but I like mine better. Team Abe is off to find the Master. That leaves Zack at the pawn shop with Nora's mom (Mariela). Hmmm leaving a child alone with a woman with dementia during a vampire apocalypse. Nope I dont see any problems there. Too bad Dutch got mad and left last week or she could have stayed to help. Nora, rightfully refused to stay. Hey just because you just had sex with some guy doesnt mean you have to take care of is children.

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Is Poor Gus Ever Going To Catch A Break?

Meanwhile Gus arrives home to find his brother has become a vamp. He quickly dispatches him with a basement bat. Then he hears something in the closet. It is his mother and she has turned. How sad. Poor Gus loses it. He cant bring himself to kill her though and just leaves. And did you scream with delight when Gus let the landlord have it? Here's your rent ya blood sucker!!!

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Whatever You Do, Dont Leave This Pawnshop And Most Definitely Dont Go Out For Cigarettes

Nora's mom spends part of the episode accusing Zack of stealing an ash tray. Then she decides she needs cigarettes and she needs them IMMEDIATELY. Yes withdrawal is a bitch! Zack tells her he will go to the store.

I feel the need to pause here for a public service announcement. Now might be a good time to stop smoking and drinking. That way when the vampires/zombies/aliens attack you'll be ready. Yes I know its not easy. I swear I would kill someone for a can of Coke today. Trust me, you'll thank me later when you're not eaten by vampires. Now back to our show.

Zack goes to a corner shop and gets the cigarettes. Just then two kids show up. Zack hides in the basement (not a good idea!). He drops his phone and then goes back to retrieve it (not a good idea!). A vampire almost gets him. We all knew that would happen. Luckily the two teenagers are eaten by the vampire instead. Outside Zack almost catches it again but Gus saves him. Yeah, hopefully Gus will join Team Abe next week. Zack returns with the cigarettes. We see Nora's mom with her back turned to the camera. Has she become a vamp? Uh oh. Nope she's OK. I was worried for a sec.

While this segment didnt work as well for me as the rest of the episode, we know the writers will continue to put Zack in dangerous situations in order to test him. It's the same as with Carl from "The Walking Dead". I roll my eyes every time Carl goes out on his own... but hey kids gotta learn some time. Think of Zack as Carl minus the hat.

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It's Nice That The Escalators Still Work During The Vampire Apocalypse

Now onto the main event. Team Abe descends into the subway system. They encounter several nests of vampires. Apparently they like to sleep in big piles together (just like kittens). We also see a vamp electrocute itself on the third rail of the subway track (hence the episode title). Does electricity really kill vampires too though? How does that work? And it's good to know that New York's subway trains are running on schedule even during the end of the world. .

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Knock, Knock. Anybody Home In There?

They all crawl through a long tight tunnel. This scene definitely reminded me of "The Descent". It was super creepy and fun. Poor Fet is last in the tunnel and almost gets stuck. You just see his big boots and a speedy vamp close behind him. They finally all make it out. Eph hears Kelly's voice and starts running around. Dude, that's the oldest trick in the book. You are such a dummy. The Master picks Eph up by the neck and says he will destroy everything/everyone who is important to Eph. Luckily Fet is able to save Eph with his UV disco globe. The Master retreats. Abe destroys the Master's coffin (remember Abe was forced to build it while in a concentration camp). Poor Abe loses it. He's been under a lot of stress and his health isnt good. Will Abe survive the season? I really hope so. These bozos wouldnt know what to do without him.

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I'm Thinking Of Having A Facelift Eph. What Do You Think? Dont Worry. Be Honest. You Wont Hurt My Feelings.

Oh a related note, how do you feel about the Master's look? He is definitely terrifying when he's scurrying around at warp speed and all you see is a cape blowing in the wind. He's really big so that's scary. I'm not sure about his look though. Yes he's Nosferatu-likr but I personally find Eichorst more terrifying to look at than the Master. And I know I shouldnt focus on this but every time I see him, I keep wondering where he gets those big rings for his big ass fingers. They are definitely custom made.

Again no sighting of Eichorst this week. I miss that guy. Cant believe I said that. And are we ever going to get to see the Vampire Ninja Recon Squad again? I hope we dont have to wait till the last 5 minutes of the finale.

Favorite Quotes:

I dont like him, he has a dark soul."- Nora's mom about Abe.
"First do no harm"- Eph. You sir are a weanie!
Fet: "Used to have the last word huh Doc? How does it feel to know that a pawnbroker and a rat killer know more than you do?" Eph: "You've been waiting for this your whole life havent ya? Congratulations on the vampire apocalypse!".
"The master is drawn to places of great human misery"- Abe.
"That's a lot of monsters."- Fet.
"They're nesting during daylight hours always (especially when they are first turned). The transformation exhausts them."- Abe.
"Embrace your glorious fate."- the Master to Eph.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). The cigarette run was lame but the vampire fight was wy cool. Extra points for crawling through tight spaces. That's always freaky! The Master appears again and gets up close and personal with Eph. There are only two episodes to go this season. I'm already sad.