‘Preacher’ Season 2, Episode 12 recap: ‘On Your Knees’

With only two episodes left in the second season of Preacher, the series takes a short break to focus on one of the most interesting characters in the series – The Saint of Killers.

Meanwhile, Eugene continues his escape from Hell and Jesse finally comes clean with Tulip and Cassidy. Here is a look at the 12th episode of the second season of Preacher, “On Your Knees.”

Graham McTavish as The Saint of Killers; single – Preacher _ Season 2, Episode 12 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

The Saint of Killers

Remember back in Season 1 of Preacher when the episode towards the end of the debut season took the time to show the exact history of The Saint of Killers, what happened to his family, and how he became the man damned to Hell for all eternity? This episode was similar to that, at least for the first half. Much like that episode in the first season humanized The Saint of Killers before setting him on his trek to kill Jesse, this one humanized him as he prepared to continue his mission.

First, the episode showed how The Grail and Hooper pulled the security truck out of the swamp where Jesse left the Saint and then left it in a warehouse where they informed the Saint of Killers that they had a way for him to fulfill his mission, although entrance to Heaven would never happen.

We also got a look back at The Saint of Killers in happier times, with his wife and daughter. His wife let him know that if he quit drinking and killing, they could live together forever in Heaven. She even convinced him to be baptized, and they showed later his daughter making him happy. It was truly tragic because then the episode reminded us how the people caused his return to be delayed, which killed his wife and daughter, setting him out on the decision that resulted in his damnation.

Graham McTavish as The Saint of Killers, Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer – Preacher _ Season 2, Episode 12 – Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Jesse vs. The Saint of Killers

That is when Hooper released The Saint of Killers and set him out to kill Jesse.

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By this time, Jesse had returned from his realization that he wasn’t sure he cared about finding a God who ran out on his faithful and impersonated a dog in a sex act. Jesse arrived home to try to figure out what to do next with Tulip and Cassidy (who is still protecting a poor little puppy from his son Denis). That is when The Saint of Killers shows up. Tulip tries to stop him but is knocked unconscious. The Saint of Killers then messes up Denis again and beats up Cassidy when he tries to step in.

That causes Jesse and the Saint of Killers to come face to face. Jesse tries to use Genesis but it doesn’t work this time, and The Saint of Killers beats Jesse down – but does not kill him. Hooper and Featherstone are watching this on video from their apartment and don’t seem scared that Jesse will die.

The Saint of Killers echoes what Jesse told him last time they fought, about how there is no place in Heaven for him. Jesse backs up on this and tells The Saint there is a way if he changes. However, the Saint decides to just scalp Jesse and be done with it. That never happens.

That is because Hell came for The Saint of Killers. Mannering, who happens to run the cell block of Hell that Eugene is in comes and tells him that if he doesn’t return, they will replace his empty cell with his wife and daughter. He believes this is possible because he agrees to let Jesse live and returns to Hell peacefully. Mannering then tells Jesse that he has powerful friends in The Grail.

Noah Taylor as Adolf Hitler, Ian Colletti as Eugene, Gianna LePera as Tracy Loach – Preacher _ Season 2, Episode 12 – Photo Credit: Michele K. Short/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Eugene escapes from Hell

Last week, Hitler and Eugene tried to slip out the back door, but there was one catch. Eugene had to change his version of Hell to prove he did not belong there. First, he had to figure out how to stop Tracey from killing herself. After two missed opportunities, Eugene realizes that it was never his fault. He tells Tracey she is conceited and not a nice girl and if attempting suicide is what it takes to get people’s attention, that is on her and not him.

That isn’t all that Eugene needs to do either. Next, the mascot of Eugene’s hometown comes out and hugs him. That is when Eugene tells the mascot that the last time he touched him in the woods, Eugene told him never to do it again. He then blows a hole in the chest of the mascot. That still isn’t enough to get Eugene and Hitler out of Hell. Finally, a version of Eugene’s cop dad comes in and tells Eugene to finish the job and kill himself. Eugene tells his dad that he was just a kid and his dad finally tells Eugene that he loves him and the back door to Hell is finally open to them.

When the episode ends, Eugene and Hitler are crawling through the air ducts, trying to escape from Hell.

Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer, Joseph Gilgun as Cassidy, Ruth Negga as Tulip O’Hare – Preacher _ Season 2, Episode 12 – Photo Credit: Michele K. Short/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

Jesse and The Grail

After the battle with The Saint of Killers, an ambulance leaves to take Tulip and Cassidy to the hospital, but it turns out it was just a Grail van. They are instead taken to Herr Starr. In a humorous moment, Cassidy can’t stop talking about how ugly Starr is while he tries to tell them about the Messiah and his plans for Jesse.

This causes Jesse, Tulip and Cassidy to have dinner together at a diner and he tells them that he wants to take Herr Starr up on his offer. They can’t believe it, don’t accept it, and leave Jesse alone. The episode then ends with Jesse showing up and telling Herr Starr that he will do it and then Herr Starr kneels before Jesse.

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