Sometimes, The Hunting Party has highlighted thrilling, exciting serial killers, and in other episodes, it’s excelled at showcasing rich character arcs.
The series has finally hit its stride, combining both and featuring mysteries that keep us guessing.
While Bex has had more ties to the previous killers, Shane has experienced the best character writing since The Hunting Party began.
Shane’s arc came full circle in The Hunting Party Season 2 Episode 7, when a twisted neuroscientist studied brains to discern if non-violent subjects could become killers.
He had worked with Dr. Dulles in the Pit and was especially interested in Shane.
Poor Shane did not experience a good day since he learned who his birth mother was, fought with his friends, and got abducted.
Let’s dive into Shane’s horrible day and see if Lazarus can be trusted.
Dr. Fairfax Made Me Fear Doctors and Researchers
Researchers and doctors are generally important, but I’m unsure if I’ll ever trust one again.
Sidney Fairfax was well-versed in teaching at the university and sounding normal while speaking on nature vs. nature, but moonlighting as a killer.
I felt sorry for that hiker, but he should have known better than to accept a ride from a stranger. Being homeless without a family made him an easy target since no one would come looking for him.
Dr. Fairfax reminded me of Frankenstein. He’s creepy, and he thought he had a purpose, and studying brains would help.
He ended up killing nine victims and removing all their brains before the Pit wanted his help.
Different Doctors Rallied On How Deep Brain Stimulation Worked
What’s even scarier than reading Pit treatments? Learning that the Pit faked a death so they could use the evil doctor for their own methods.
I’ve often joked that the Pit has many evil doctors on staff. Unforunately, I was right. Bex learned that Dr. Fairfax and Dr. Dulles worked together, and Dr. Dulles was fascinated by deep-brain stimulation.
That explained why all the murders after the Pit included needles being stuck in the head, versus mutilating the brain and studying the brain in glass jars like before.
It seemed like Dr. Fairfax was obsessed with following up with several of Dr. Dulles subjects.
Dr. Dulles generally believed that the environment shaped a person, while Dr. Fairfax thought it was due to the brain, and that studying the brain was worth killing people for.
Information Overload Made Shane Need Answers
Shane has always been curious about the nature-versus-nurture debate. We’ve seen him question this with previous serial killers, so many fans were excited to see a Shane-centric episode.
Bex could tell Shane seemed overwhelmed since he arrived late to work and didn’t crack jokes after his late-night meeting with Lazrus.
As he tried to deal with the case, Shane learned that Dr. Dulles had died, the one other person who might have been able to supply some information.
I don’t think Shane ever realized how evil Dr. Dulles was, but seeing some of those flashbacks and the experiments they did on him as a young kid was disturbing.
I hated the thought that Shane was born in prison and may have been raised there if Dr. Dulles had not stepped in.
Dr. Dulles believed that the right environment could help, whereas Dr. Fairfax thought that even non-violent people could become killers.
He seemed determined to prove that Shane had killing tendencies, being Lazarus’s son, but Shane has always been kind and loyal, more like a golden retriever puppy than a serial killer.
He’s only ever killed anyone when he served in the military.
Good Intentions, Trust Issues, and Found Family
Almost every Hunting Party cast member I interviewed this season teased that the secrets would have consequences.
I initially assumed Shane would feel betrayed that Bex and Hassani kept Lazarus a secret.
That was an interesting twist, having them learn that Shane kept his search for his birth mom a secret, including his stash on Dr. Dulles.
I’m not sure why they were so angry when he told Bex about his search, and she told Hassani. He didn’t go into details because it was personal.
Shane felt misunderstood and ran off, but he still knew when he needed help to call his team. That’s true friendship.
The trio’s banter in The Hunting Party has always been one of my favorite things. Trust Bex to insinuate that Shane would get kidnapped so she and Hassani would miss him, or that Shane would tease that it was worth it.
Even if Bex was angry, she rattled off how kind, loyal, and brave Shane was. She would’ve done anything to save him.
Their found family dynamic is one of the best parts of the show. As Josh McKenzie teased, Shane never experienced that before. He’s done so much on his own and had nothing to lose, but now Bex and Hassani matter to him.
I’m thrilled they reconciled so fast. Nothing like a little danger to remind you of what’s really important.
However, they will eventually need to discover what Lazarus is really up to, which will put Shane in an awkward position.
Can Lazarus Be Trusted?
Col. Lazarus is one of those morally grey characters who’s fascinating. I want to believe she’s reformed because she’s Shane’s mother, and he’s longed to connect with his birth mother.
As an adoptee, it’s challenging because you don’t know what you’ll find in a search. I think she cares about him in her own way, or she wouldn’t have told Bex where to find him.
However, part of me also suspects Lazarus wants to make Hassani and Bex look bad to drive a wedge between the trio.
It’s difficult not to feel some sympathy for her. She was bullied as a teenager, committed murder, and realized she was different.
Dr. Dulles believed in her and helped her reform and begin a new life. Some people can change, but I understand why Bex was wary, especially since it concerns Shane.
Over to you, The Hunting Party Fanatics. Were you excited to learn more about Shane? Do you think he’ll form a relationship with Lazarus?
Let us know in the comments.
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he Hunting Party Season 2 Episode 7 Revealed Dangerous Doctors, Shane’s Secrets, and Lazarus’s Agenda
Shane’s secrets were discovered when an evil neuroscientist studied brains to see if killing tendencies were learned. Our review!
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The Hunting Party Exclusive Clip Teases Sydney Fairfax Testing a Dangerous Experiment
We scored an exclusive sneak peek of The Hunting Party Season 2 Episode 7 and Dr. Fairfax is the creepiest doctor yet. Check it out!
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The Hunting Party’s Josh McKenzie Teases How Shane’s Connection with Lazarus Could Change Everything
The Hunting Party’s Josh McKenzie teases how Lazarus’s reveal will change his life. Check out the interview below.
The post he Hunting Party Season 2 Episode 7 Revealed Dangerous Doctors, Shane’s Secrets, and Lazarus’s Agenda appeared first on TV Fanatic.