Boy Swallows Universe – Episode 2 “Boy Gets Chop” Recap & Review

Boy Gets Chop

The beginning of Boy Swallows Universe episode 2, titled “Boy Gets Chop,” sees the entire family driving to a posh neighborhood to buy an Atari gaming console at a cheap rate. However, the lady of the house looks down on Frankie, given her appearance. Frankie’s messy hair and worn-out clothes don’t make the woman feel at ease, and thus, Frankie decides to wait at the door. However, Lyle assures her that things are going to get better, and they’ll soon move to a nice neighbourhood. 

As the series goes on, we see Lyle taking the boys to where he works and introducing them to Mr. Broz, and from the looks of it, it appears that he’s going to play a huge role in Eli’s story. Broz also compares Gus to Hegisistratus, a Greek prophet, when he’s told that Gus can see the future. If you don’t know, Hegisistratus cut his own leg to escape captivity. 

Eli is desperate to move out of the neighborhood with his family and is looking for ways to garner cash. For him, the easiest way is to use Gus’s alleged talents to win a huge lottery and rack up some cash. However, this will not work until or unless Gus breaks his vow of silence (not an actual vow). 

Eli blackmails his stepdad, Lyle, into bringing him to his drug delivery escapades. Therein, Eli learns all sorts of things, most of them involving drugs and Dustin Vang, a dangerous drug dealer. Eli is also told that someone keeps killing Dustin’s delivery guys, possibly Ivan Kroll.

When Eli asks Lyle about it, the latter tells him that Ivan Kroll is a man-made myth created to keep people in line. Lyle also asks Eli not to put his nose in matters that don’t concern him. This isn’t it, Eli is also advised to steer clear of Darren, Bich Dang’ son. If you don’t know, Bich Dang is the same woman who supplies Lyle with drugs. 

Lyle doesn’t want Eli to ride shotgun when he’s out in town, selling drugs, but Eli is stubborn and always convinces him for the latter. “I see things you don’t,” states Eli. Eli was right, and it became clear when he saved Lyle from one of his angry clients, who had pulled a knife on Lyle, calling him a thief. 

Eli and his family attend Broz’s party, and it becomes obvious that Eli is not too excited about it. At the party, Eli finds Darren, and the latter spills the beans on all the guests who are attending the party, including Ivan Krull. Ivan has a massive scar on his face, and to hide it, he wears a specially designed-prosthetic.

Rumour has it that, years ago, Ivan was shot by a family member of one of his victims. However, Ivan survived and later killed his attacker with a chainsaw. Eli isn’t the only one keeping tabs; Ivan has seen him too, and from the looks of it, it appears the man has a special interest in the kid or the people he hangs out with.

Broz also takes the stage and delivers a passionate speech on how he is determined to make body prosthetics affordable and possible for all. Broz assures everyone that soon, a day will come when body prosthetics will be as replaceable as car parts. Things take a dark turn when Ivan and his men infiltrate Lyle’s home, asking about his side business.

Ivan demands Lyle to give him the drugs he has stashed, or else he’ll kill his family. But Lyle refused. Gus also breaks his silence when Ivan threatens to cut Eli’s finger, but instead of revealing what Ivan is asking, Gus tells him to f*** off! The episode ends with Eli losing his senses after Ivan cuts his index finger with a sharp knife. 

The Episode Review

In episode 2, the story has taken a darker twist, something that was absent in episode 1. We get our first look at Ivan, and his actions towards Eli make it crystal clear that he’s not someone to be underestimated – he’s ready to go to great lengths to get what he wants.

However, the show has yet to explore the relationship between Ivan and Lyle and why the latter is so frightened of him. Maybe they have a history together; whatever the case may be, it seems like the next episode will clear it.