Iyanu 1×07 Review: “The Betrayal”

Tensions rise in Elu as Team Chosen must work together to escape their predicament in “The Betrayal.”

After ending up trapped in a cave in “The Walk of Death,” Team Chosen must work together to escape in “The Betrayal.” With the team rested after their previous ordeal, they try to put aside their differences. Though the team still hasn’t resolved many of its previous disagreements, it’s great to see the now officially dubbed Team Chosen once again find a way to work as a team.

Surprisingly, Biyi (Okey Jude) reveals several truths about his past. His father used to be the king of Elu years ago but was betrayed by his nephew Oba Adeyinka (Paul Utomi) at the suggestion of Nuro (Femi Sowooli). Biyi also reveals that his cousin sent him out of Elu to die in the wilderness, but he was eventually rescued and taken in by Mama Sewa. Back in Elu, Adeyinka confesses the same story to Uwa (Oluwayfemi Olugbade). It’s a surprising revelation that adds a lot of depth to Biyi’s character, and Toye’s (Samuel Kugbiyi) reverence for the true heir to the throne afterwards, joking or not, is amusing.

With the corrupted animals breaking down the cave’s blockade, Team Chosen puts Toye’s plan into motion and they finally escape the perilous path. Unfortunately, the sweltering desert in combination with Nuro increasing the hostility of the corrupted animals through the spread of The Fallen One’s (Lord Frank) red mist, Iyanu (Serah Johnson) must push the limits of her knowledge of her abilities to save Team Chosen. Though the full potential of Iyanu’s abilities remains a mystery, her ability to grow a mango in the desert and save the team multiple times by producing vines are exciting moments in the episode.

Meanwhile, Olori (Adesua Etomi-Wellington) forms a reluctant partnership with Toye’s father Kanfo (Blossom Chukwujekwu), who managed to survive the attack on the Riverlands. Though Kanfo is distrustful of Olori, the two agree to try and find their children together and share a moment as Kanfo reveals his grief over his wife’s death. Whether Olori and Kanfo will bond further on their trip remains to be seen, but the partnership and their mutual respective concerns for Iyanu and Toye have some potential.

Back in Elu, tensions continue to rise as Omolola (Rashidat Fawehinmi Raji) leads the workers’ district inhabitants to the gates of the council and presents evidence of Nuro’s crimes. When The Fallen One informs Nuro of this development, Nuro declares that he can’t return to Elu and commands the corrupted animals and soldiers to destroy Elu on his behalf. Though The Fallen One and Nuro have already done many bad things, the order to completely destroy Elu is still surprising.

Though the series continues to show flashes of moments between younger Nuro and Olori, it’s unclear how much of Nuro’s evil acts are influenced by being possessed and subsequently how sympathetic the audience is supposed to be towards Nuro and his potential for future redemption. While the moments show that Nuro wasn’t always a bad person, they haven’t provided much clarity into the deteriorating relationship between Nuro and Olori and haven’t made much of an emotional impact.

With Nuro now on the way to find Iyanu himself, and the members of Team Chosen collapsing in the desert at the end of “The Betrayal,” things are likely about to get much worse before they can get better. Hopefully, the mysterious figure that discovers Team Chosen’s unconscious bodies ends up being an ally rather than another foe.

Author: Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff is a graduate of Drexel University with a BS in Film/Video. She has a passion for entertainment and representation in entertainment. She currently resides outside of Washington, DC.

Help support independent journalism. Subscribe to our Patreon.

Copyright © The Geekiary