A runaway Russian songbird may hold the key to Bo’s (Anna Silk) missing memories. The problem is that warring factions each want a piece of the opera singer, which means the Dark Succubus has her work cut out for her if she wants answers.

Let’s bitch it out…

‘Of All The Gin Joints’ is a solid example of a procedural case of the week peppered with a few tidbits of mythology. Lost Girl has a unique ability to intertwine the two and while I wouldn’t call this a great episode by any stretch, it’s entertaining and confirms a few ideas many of us seemed to have about how Bo spent her summer.

The idea of an opera singer whose song has the ability to affect her audience is pretty familiar (the association between compulsion and the power of music is always an irresistible story). Right off the back, I’ll say that I’m glad that the writers acknowledge Ianka’s (Lara Jean Chorostecki) connection to K.C. Collins’ Hale. Their powers are too similar not to be linked or related and their association makes the Fae community seem a little more believable. Instead of introducing a brand new type of Fae each week, this is a variation of a familiar species we already know (Grimm, a thematically similar show, sometimes strains its credibility because there are so many Wesen that are introduced for a single episode and then never spoken of again).

Overall Ianka’s story – caught between two masters – isn’t hugely compelling, despite Chorostecki’s attempts to make the character more than a simple pawn between two warring communities. Ultimately though, the big take-away is her ability to reveal Bo’s memories of her time on the Wanderer’s interdimensional train between seasons. In flashback memories we learn that Bo was offered a crown (which she dismissed) and that she willingly chose the Dark side, though her reasons for doing so remain unknown. Once again this is a far more interesting angle to pursue than the idea that she was forced to choose against her will. I only hope that the reason behind her decision is compelling. Lost Girl has been known to fumble some of its big reveals in the past so there is a legitimate danger that the pay-off won’t justify this storyline. For now, though, the journey is providing worthwhile. Fingers crossed!

Other Observations:

• In true Lost Girl fashion, Kenzi (Ksenia Solo) and Hale’s romance takes one step forward and two steps back. They finally manage to come together for a non-drug related kiss (yay), but Hale discovers – without telling Kenzi of course – that he’s bleeding from the ear (boo). These kids have a long road ahead of them, especially if they don’t tell each other about their respective brain damage
• Re: relationship issues -> Ditto for Bo and Dyson (Kris Holden-Ried). The wolf returns and Bo immediately goes in for some hot and heavy (ah graphic sexuality, how I’ve missed you). Bo’s aggressive, impersonal sexytime tactics are one of the first clear scenes of her new allegiance to the Dark (as usual Dyson allows himself to be treated as a doormat, calmly reassuring her that it’s all cool). Unfortunately Trick’s (Rick Howland) that fornication between Light and Dark is strictly foreboden is ignored allowing the Una Mens to swoop in and attack in a nice little cliffhanger that Dyson is totally going to lose
• Side Note: Is the Keeper (Christine Horne) the only Una Mens who speaks? Good gig if you can get it. Also, are they all Valkyries?
• In the land of B-plots Lauren (Zoie Palmer) spends the episode drinking Dark Belch beer and eating pizza with Evony (Emmanuelle Vaugier). The whole thing feels like a wooing ritual that Lauren is too dumb to recognize until the final scene when she pulls off a pair of fake lips. It’s a little Mission: Impossible, but since it confirms that Lauren isn’t an idiot just because she’s contemplating her own change to the Dark, I’ll accept it. Well played Doc: you’re smarter than I gave you credit for
• Finally: obviously Lauren is a huge Star Trek nerd. Way to throw the convention crowd some love, Lost Girl (though I would have personally preferred Star Wars myself)

Best Lines:

• Bo (when Ianca mentions an aria): “I’m more of a Blacked Eyed Peas kinda girl”
• Kenzi (sniffing Dark Belch): “Weird, this thing doesn’t smell like koolaid”
• Bo (when Ianca steps in front of her): “What is this, soul train?”

Thoughts on Lost Girl‘s balancing act between procedural and mythology? Are you worried about Bo’s new sexual aggressiveness (who knew she could get more voracious?!) Did you think Lauren was being dumb until it was revealed she wasn’t? Are Kenzi and Hale doomed before they even start? Sound off below

Lost Girl airs Sundays at 10pm EST on Showcase. It appears that new episodes will continue to air throughout the holidays, so we’ll see you here next week