Last week was the series premiere of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. What we received was a story told in two different timelines. The past looked at the early days and formation of the titular organization while the show’s present explored the mysterious disappearance of Hiroshi Randa. He is the father of half siblings Cate and Kentaro, and he secretly worked on behalf of Monarch. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Apple TV+ decided to drop the next episode early.
Previously, we commented on how the past subplot with a young Lee Shaw, Bill Randa, and Keiko Miura had an action adventure feel as they searched for titans across the globe. Their dynamic in “Secrets & Lies” harkens back to a series from the past where the characters believed the truth is out there. As we see the bureaucratic and political influences the trio must maneuver as their work becomes more recognized, you can’t help but think of The X-Files.
Shaw is the no non-sense company man who accompanies them on their journeys who gradually begins to change his perspective while the other two follow the clues and data in front of them where it may lead no matter what. Diving further another layer, you can sense Shaw’s compassion towards Keiko trying to maintain good relations with his superiors while being respectful to her feelings. Then, you have Randa on the side playing peacemaker between his colleagues. It’s an interesting and fun relationship between the three as they carry out their research while deciding not to report everything to the higher ups.
Elsewhere on Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the present storyline incorporates the action adventure into its thriller narrative. The daring escape from elder Shaw’s nursing home shows his quick thinking, impressive skills, and international connections even at his advanced age. He proves to be as formidable as ever. We also receive little breadcrumbs to Hiroshi’s location sending us to his last known whereabouts in Alaska. There’s just enough progress and teases in hunting him down to keep you interested and provide a little hope.
What’s most gripping about the episode is the parallels between the two main groups. They’re both relatively new teams brought together by chance searching for something. But while team past seems to be getting on the same page, team present still has some distrust and no clear course of action once they catch up to Hiroshi.
Even the use of the titans in each storyline serves a different purpose. In the past, the titan brings out the group’s empathy and cynicism with the U.S. Army. On the other hand, the titan in the present is more your traditional monster threat. One main link between the two is the enigmatic Shaw who, in the present, you don’t have a good grip on whose interests he looking out for.
This week’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters maintains the momentum from the series premiere while incorporating new and intriguing elements and dynamics to the story.
New episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters are released Fridays on Apple TV+.
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