The Right Ear, Left in the Cold

Croatoa is Graves' post hypnotic re-activation word for his hidden soldiers. The mutilated guy who says it here has been paid by Graves to utter the word. So how did Graves know that Cole would be there? This is the first instance of the Agent moving in a mysterious way to activate one of his men, leaving a great deal to chance. Cole could easily have been killed before hearing the word. As it is, Cole is the first we see 'wake up', and from this we get the first flashback of Atlantic City, the first sight of the Hooded Man, and the first appearance of the Minutemen. Cole's questions to Graves about what happened to him clash with Wylie's expectation of his fate during his flashback in  Wylie Runs the Voodoo Down. In this arc, Cole has no idea what happened to him after Atlantic City, or why, yet in later issues, all the Minutemen know what their fate will be. This is presumably to allow some exposition at this early point, and add some clues to the more complex themes that are beginning to emerge.

Parlez Kung Vous

Many questions, many answers. Why does Dizzy know martial arts that she has no idea about? Why is Mr. Branch important and why is he hiding, especially as Graves and Shepherd know where he is? What has he seen of Cole Burns to advise Dizzy to shoot him, even offering himself as a shield? And why does Dizzy belong to Graves, even though all her contact is with Shepherd now?

Hang Up on the Hang Low

Li'l Moe and Big Moe are probably dead because of Detective Choisnel. Sophie and Carlos return from their dealings with Lono from 'Day, Hour. Minute...Man' and we learn that they ran Lono over to get the money from him. The question is, who did Graves want dead? The Trust insignia is obvious, the identity is not. This is the second time Graves puts one of the Trust in the frame for his game, the previous event was in 'Shot, Water Back'.

Epilogue for a Road Dog

Graves once again plots against the Trust. Lono would have killed Loop at the hotel, but the look of surprise at his identity, and the way he refers to Curtis as "Mr. Hughes" suggest a lot of respect. Having given Loop the attaché, Graves then grasses on Loop for Tommy Yi's murder. True, the gun wasn't used, so he is 'touchable', but Graves motives for Loop's future are unclear. The word Minuteman springs to mind. At this stage in the game though, there are no vacancies as we believe all seven are still alive somewhere...so why?

The Mimic

Lots of gaps hinted at, lots more gaps created. When did Shepherd 'retire'? Why? Whose side is he on?

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