Iyanu 1×10 Review: “The Source Part II”

Iyanu is forced to make a choice as she faces The Fallen One in season finale “The Source Part II.”

After completing her journey to the mountaintop source of her powers in “The Source Part I,” Iyanu (Serah Johnson) must make a difficult choice in the season finale “The Source Part II.” Upon reuniting with her mother Dara (Sisan Victor-Woko), Iyanu is granted her previously lost memories of their previous life together. However, Iyanu soon realizes that Dara is not actually there when going for an embrace.

Dara explains that she must make a difficult, irreversible choice of what to do with the source. Iyanu can use it to reunite with her, but she won’t be able to stop The Fallen One (Lord Frank). If she uses it to rid the land of the curse, she will never be able to see her mother again. Though Iyanu’s anguish is palpable, the supposed dilemma doesn’t really feel like a truly effective struggle since the audience doesn’t really know Dara, Iyanu only just regained her memories of her, and Iyanu’s entire journey has been about saving the land from the curse.

After seeing Iyanu’s bonds with Olori (Adesua Etomi-Wellington) and her friends throughout the season, it makes sense that Iyanu would ultimately make the correct choice of saving the land and her friends. As Dara and Iyanu say goodbye for the last time, Dara gives Iyanu and Ekun shiny new armor and an impressive new bow to help aid them in their fight against Nuro (Femi Sowooli) and The Fallen One.

Down at the bottom of the mountain, the Fallen One grows impatient and completely overtakes Nuro’s body to stop Iyanu once and for all. The Fallen One realizes that Nuro recognizes Biyi (Okey Jude) as the would-be king Oba Adeyinka (Paul Utomi) supposedly killed years ago when he usurped the throne. The Fallen One attempts to kill Biyi, but Adeyinka arrives and redeems himself by jumping in front of the blast. He apologizes to Biyi before dying in an emotional moment.

While The Fallen One fights with Olori and Toye (Samuel Kugbiyi) has a nice reconciliation with Kanfo (Blossom Chukwujekwu), Iyanu and Ekun return in their new armor and put an end to The Fallen One for good. The visually impressive fight between Iyanu and The Fallen One is the highlight of the episode. With the nearby encouragement of Olori and her friends, Iyanu officially declares herself as the Chosen and dispatches The Fallen One with the abilities she has mastered.

With the corruption slowly leaving the land and the animals, Iyanu reunites with her friends. Toye is in awe of her new armor, but Iyanu tells him not to touch her armor without asking and it disappears soon after. The reunion between Iyanu and Olori and her friends is enjoyable, but seems kind of rushed.  On the other hand, seeing the land become free of the curse and the people of Elu rejoicing at the end is a satisfying conclusion to the final battle.

Though “The Source Part II” shows brief flashes of the world starting to rebuild after the battle, the episode jumps forward a couple of weeks instead of allowing the audience to see what things are like after the curse. In the final moments, Iyanu looks at Elu with Ekun before the two ride off to get more answers about The Age of Wonders. Given all the emphasis on the bonds between Iyanu and the people she cares about and the so-called “Team Chosen,” it’s not clear why Iyanu and Ekun are going on this journey alone, and it’s strange that we don’t get to see Iyanu saying goodbye to the people she cares about.

With a second season officially on the way, the audience will thankfully get to see more of this world and the new threats that will arise in the post-curse land.

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.

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