Ep 6. This Extraordinary Being

In Watchmen season 1 episode 6 titled "This Extraordinary Being", the show takes a different approach to storytelling by presenting the episode in the form of a black and white film set in the past. We follow the story through the eyes of Will Reeves, Angela Abar's grandfather, as he tells her about his life as a young black man growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1920s.

The episode is powerful, thought-provoking, and emotional as it grapples with themes of identity, race, and power dynamics. Will's journey is one of pain, loss, and ultimately, resilience as he navigates a world that is deeply divided along racial lines, encountering both allies and oppressors along the way.

One of the standout moments in the episode is Will's encounter with a hooded figure who calls himself Hooded Justice. It is a showdown between two people who exist on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet are both fighting for what they believe in. This encounter plays a significant role in unfolding the story of the Watchmen universe, and hints at the motivations behind some of the decisions that were made in the past.

We also see glimpses of the exploits of the Minutemen, a group of masked vigilantes who are the precursors to modern-day superheroes, and how they operate in a world that is flawed, corrupt, and rife with inequality. The characters are complex, and the show does not shy away from portraying them as being flawed, sometimes even deeply so.

The camera work in the episode is striking as well. The lack of color only serves to heighten the dramatic tension. It is a clever artistic decision that adds to the richly layered experience of watching this episode. The cinematography beautifully captures the story that is being told and adds to the sense of authenticity that it projects.

The themes that the episode tackles blend seamlessly with the Watchmen universe. The show's willingness to look at societal issues through the lens of comic book storytelling gives it a unique perspective, one that has become even more relevant in recent times. The world of Watchmen is one where the lines between good and evil are blurred, where heroism is often mired in selfishness and where justice is sometimes meted out by those who are the least qualified to do so. In This Extraordinary Being, the show continues to hold up a mirror to our society, forcing us to confront our own prejudices and biases.

The episode is a triumph of storytelling; it is a standalone masterpiece that tells a powerful story in a singularly unique way. It is the kind of episode that lingers in your mind long after it's over, the kind that makes you want to go back and re-watch it again and again to peel back its multiple layers.

In summary, Watchmen season 1 episode 6, This Extraordinary Being, is a standout episode of a brilliant series. It bravely tackles difficult themes in a unique and thought-provoking way, and is a testament to the power of storytelling. This episode is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates great storytelling in all its forms.