REVIVAL Recap: (S01E05) Triage

Geek Girl Authority

11-07-2025

Revival Season 1 Episode 5, 'Triage,' kicks things into high gear as Dana convalesces in the hospital. Em fights tooth and nail to clear Dana's name while Wayne pieces together that tragic night in the woods. Ibrahim gets a demotion, but reminds us that he has the strongest moral compass. 'Triage' is an entertaining outing that maintains a steady clip throughout.
RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Revival episode, 'Run Along Little Lamb' Revival, 'Triage'
We open with Dana (Melanie Scrofano) being wheeled into the hospital following the climactic conclusion of last week's episode. This scene is intercut with the moments after Dana gets shot. Em (Romy Weltman) panics as Ibrahim (Andy McQueen) rushes to Dana's side. Dana weakly tells Ibrahim that Em was never here. She doesn't want Em implicated in Aaron's murder. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress, Melanie Scrofano as Dana Cypress, Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin — (Photo by: Naomi Peters/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
After this, Em, Ibrahim, Wayne (David James Elliott) and Cooper (Hudson Wurster) wait in the crowded hospital waiting room. A nurse reveals that Dana's state is still critical, but at least the bullet didn't strike any major organs. Time will tell regarding her prognosis. She must survive surgery first. Wayne urges Em to keep him abreast if her condition changes. He's already in 'I must solve this crime' mode. I'm Not a Good Liar
The following morning, Wayne meets with Brent (Mark Little) at the cordoned-off crime scene. So far, the police haven't found any bullets. No discernible footprints. Brent's theory is that Dana and Aaron struggled with the gun, and it fired on them both. Of course, Aaron can't tell his side of the story. Wayne orders Brent to keep him informed every step of the way.
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Later, Brent questions Ibrahim regarding his involvement. He asks Ibrahim if the latter has a gun. Ibrahim is terribly nervous. He explains that he and Dana were on a date when she got a text, and they changed course for the woods. She went to investigate when he heard the gunshots. Brent attempts to intimidate Ibrahim. Ibrahim keeps Em's presence at the crime scene a secret, per Dana's wishes. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress, David James Elliott as Sheriff Wayne Cypress — (Photo by: Naomi Peters/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Next, Ibrahim and Em visit Dana, who's unconscious in her hospital bed. She made it through surgery. Ibrahim is overcome with emotion. He tells Em that the cops have no idea she was there when Dana was shot. Ibrahim asks for the truth. Em apologizes for him getting inadvertently roped into all this. She explains that someone shot and killed Aaron before another bullet went through Dana. Then, Em fired at the shooter with Dana's gun and struck him in the arm. Ibrahim admits he's not a skilled liar and is unsure if he can maintain the ruse. Andy McQueen is so good in this scene. Incredibly believable; incredibly human. Bullets and Experiments
Then, Ibrahim states he lied about Em not for her but for Dana. Em vows to fix this. After all, she's a Cypress. In another scene, we see Em discover that the bullet that struck Aaron went through her, too. Unfortunately, the bullet is still inside her. In the sheriff's office, Em asks Wayne questions about the investigation. Wayne claims that, so far, what little evidence he has at his disposal points to Dana murdering Aaron. However, Wayne believes there was a shooter who shot them both.
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He adds that the plan is to return to the crime scene to search for the bullet — or bullets. Then, they can use that to identify the shooter/killer. Jeannie (Lenore Zann) informs Wayne that Lester (Peter Millard) wants to speak to him. Lester enters the office without permission. In a rage, Wayne orders Jeannie to get Lester out. He has a case to crack. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured in this screengrab: Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Meanwhile, at the makeshift CDC headquarters, Carla (Paige Evans) experiments on Myles (Josh Cruddas). This feels illegal. An angry Mayor Dillisch (Conrad Coates) confronts Wayne regarding the latter's decision to give his wife the 'Reviver' stamp on her ID. And after everything the Dillisches have done for the Cypresses.
Their confrontation escalates as both men get in each other's faces. After the requisite hurling of insults, Dillisch vows that this is Wayne's last term as sheriff. He won't wear the badge again.
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Later, Em asks Kay (Maia Jae Bastidas), who's riding that cartoon-watching, cereal-eating high, to help her extract the bullet from her back. Kay pitches in, but not without vomiting. After successfully retrieving the bullet, Em devises a plan to save Dana from getting wrongfully accused of murder.
Elsewhere, Nella (Lanette Ware) hosts a support group for Revivers. Wanda (Marcia Bennett), the woman from the exercise class on last week's episode, speaks candidly about her experience having come back from the dead. Damon (Pat Thornton) tells the group about his struggle to readapt to society. He wonders, 'Why me?' Nella proposes that perhaps this is Damon's second chance at life. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: Steven Ogg as Blaine Abel — (Photo by: Mathieu Savidant/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Suddenly, Blaine (Steven Ogg) and his followers crash the meeting. Nella orders them to leave. When that doesn't work, Damon steps in. Blaine insists that Revivers are demons from hell and that he's there to protect Wausau. He also claims he'll send said Revivers back to hell.
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Damon tries to confront Blaine, but Tyler (Luca Villacis), Blaine's youngest follower, impedes his path. Damon shoves Tyler, who crashes into a support post and instantly breaks his arm. He apologizes profusely, claiming he didn't know his own strength. Blaine orders Damon to stand. Something tells me things aren't gonna go well for Damon from here on out. It's in the Blood
Later, Em implements her plan to get a blood sample from Aaron's corpse. Kay distracts Randy (Graeme Barrett) by claiming she needs assistance with her car. Meanwhile, Em breaks into the crematorium. She finds Aaron's body and sticks the bullet in the bullet hole in his chest, ensuring it gets covered in his blood. Kay vomits — again — at the sight. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Maia Jae Bastidas as Kay Mathurin, Graeme Barrett as Randy — (Photo by: Mathieu Savidant/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Elsewhere, Wayne chats with an unconscious Dana. He wishes she were awake to help him solve this case. Wayne's vulnerability here is refreshing. We're so used to seeing him in curmudgeon mode. After this, Brent informs Wayne that someone choked Aaron before he was shot.
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Next, Em places the bloody bullet at the crime scene before the cops and their police dogs arrive. Meanwhile, Ibrahim records research regarding his discovery with the sample of creek water. If you recall, algae blooms grew in it at an astonishing rate. Ibrahim declares that this creek is the epicenter of Revival Day. How Far Is Too Far?
Then, Wayne enters Ibrahim's office. He asks Ibrahim if perhaps the latter misremembered what he saw. Maybe there was another vehicle present. He's waiting for Ibrahim to disclose that someone else was there, that a shooter killed Aaron and injured Dana. However, Ibrahim remains tight-lipped. He can't divulge the Em of it all.
Thankfully (for Ibrahim's sake), Myles' screaming interrupts their conversation. Ibrahim and Wayne discover that Carla has been experimenting — more like torturing — Revivers. She injected Myles with snake venom upon learning that it can slow the division of cells in Revivers. Carla tells the sheriff that Revivers can exhibit heightened strength in stressful situations (like Damon), and snake venom can inhibit them. Slow them down.
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Naturally, Wayne leans into his 'they're dangerous' belief pretty damn hard after hearing this. However, Ibrahim defends Revivers, reminding him and Carla that this is bona fide torture. Plain and simple. Ibrahim's a good dude. He tells Wayne that this discovery could easily get into the wrong hands. Wayne urges Carla to pump the brakes re: the torture, but she's in the right line of inquiry. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured in this screengrab: (l-r) Paige Evans as Dr. Carla Morel, David James Elliott as Sheriff Wayne Cypress, Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Dana Is Awake
After this, we see Dana is finally awake. She hangs out with Em while feasting on hospital pudding. Em asks Dana why she was in the woods that night. Dana counters that she could ask her baby sister the same thing. Em reveals that she confronted Aaron, who insisted he didn't kill her, despite her waking up on Revival Day with his wedding ring in her body.
Em wonders aloud if Dana got put in harm's way because of her. Dana pats the empty space beside her on the bed. The Cypress sisters cuddle in a heartwarming moment. Em believes it's time she protects Dana.
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Later, Lester finally gets some one-on-one time with Wayne. As it turns out, he saw the shooter. Said shooter was in all black and donned a black ski mask. Lester heard four gunshots. He adds that he saw a flashlight as well, one specific to those on the force. Wayne realizes that a cop is behind it all. He tasks Brent with running ballistics on everyone's firearms — including his. Demotion
Meanwhile, Governor Harris (Shauna MacDonald) chats over video call with Ibrahim and Carla. Ibrahim's refusal to comply with a request from the sheriff, a government official, means that the governor must intervene. Ibrahim reminds Harris that he's in charge of the Wausau project.
Harris decides to demote him and promote Carla as the head. Harris is a big fan of Carla's ambitious nature and, I guess, desire to torture human beings in the name of science. She orders Ibrahim to hand over all his research materials to Carla. Ouch.
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Elsewhere, Jesse Blackdeer (Brandon Oakes) searches through Dana's files on the Blackdeer case in the Cypress house. He finds a missing persons flyer for his daughter. Jesse takes the files and leaves. Everlasting Light
Next, Blaine declares to his followers that Tyler, whose arm is in a cast, will ascend among their ranks. 'Our rock, our fortress, grant us everlasting light,' the men chant while one bangs on a drum. I gotta admit, it's pretty catchy. Get that sh*t on Spotify. Blaine takes Tyler aside, telling him it's time to get branded — become one of the flock. He urges Tyler to touch 'the guiding light.'
Interestingly enough, this guiding light makes the same noises as whatever Jordan and Cooper saw outside their tent on last week's episode. It even has a similar shine. Tyler enters the other room where the guiding light awaits. He looks up. Perhaps it's an alien? Tyler emerges with a branded palm. The others raise their palms to reveal the same marking. I love it when I inadvertently join a cult.
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Ibrahim visits Dana at the hospital. He gives her a coloring book, colored pencils and candy. Initially, Dana insists the coloring book can't be for her because she's a 'grown-ass adult.' Adult coloring books aren't cool yet. They chat for a spell. Ibrahim admits he might be out of a job soon. Dana wonders if he'll leave Wausau. Ibrahim asks Dana on another date — preferably one without guns and murder. Dana smiles, noting that he did bring her candy. Aw, these cutie-patooties. REVIVAL — 'Triage' Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured in this screengrab: (l-r) Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin, Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
After this, McCray (Nathan Dales) sits in his car, singing his lil heart out to the song on the radio. Suddenly, the cops pull up. At the same time, Brent tells Dana that they found a bloody bullet at the crime scene, implicating another shooter and freeing Dana of all suspicion. So, who killed Aaron and shot Dana? According to Brent, all signs point to McCray.
Then, we see J.P. (Glen Gould) and Brent arrest McCray. J.P. opens McCray's trunk to discover a series of suspicious-looking containers. J.P. procures a foot in a large bag from one of said containers.
That's not creepy at all.
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Revival airs new episodes every Thursday at 10/9c, only on Syfy.
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