Wynonna Earp fans were thrilled to witness the return of Melanie Scrofano’s character, the bold gunslinger, in the Tubi special Wynonna Earp: Vengeance.
This special picks up the storyline where the TV series left off, pulling Wynonna and Doc Holliday, played by Tim Rozon, back to the eerie town of Purgatory. Their return is triggered by a figure rising from Hell, intent on seeking revenge on Wynonna.
This threat does not only affect her, but also her family, including her sister Waverly (Dom Provost-Chalkley), her wife Nicole Haught (Kat Barrell), who is the Deputy Sheriff of Purgatory, and Wynonna and Doc’s daughter, Alice.
The mystery surrounding this new threat and its deep connection to Wynonna gradually unfolds, hinting at future Wynonna Earp adventures.
The special begins with a shocking scene where the demonic Mina, portrayed by Karen Knox, attacks Wynonna’s close friend, Mercedes Gardner (Dani Kind), and Randy Nedley (Greg Lawson), Purgatory’s former sheriff.
In a gruesome moment, Mina dismembers Mercedes and arranges her body parts to spell out “Earp,” marking the transition into the title sequence.
Mina’s cruel streak continues as she breaks Nicole’s finger and steals her wedding ring. She briefly possesses Waverly and summons terrifying Hellhounds during the Hunger Moon. These creatures will hunt Wynonna’s family to avenge Mina’s time in Hell.
Mina’s backstory reveals that she was once Wynonna’s social worker when Wynonna was sent to a boarding home after shooting her father.
Though Mina initially wanted to help Wynonna, she ultimately abandoned her, leaving her institutionalized. During that time, Wynonna had begun a summoning ritual with other girls.
When Mina went to investigate the barn where the ritual took place, a demon appeared, dragging Mina down to Hell.
Amidst the action and chaos, the emotional depth of Wynonna Earp: Vengeance stands out. The special showcases heartfelt moments between the characters, such as Wynonna and Doc sharing their fears about their daughter Alice’s safety and their doubts about their future together.
Doc expresses his desire to build a home for the family, assuring Wynonna that he is committed to her and their daughter. Likewise, Nicole and Waverly share a touching conversation.
Nicole feels Waverly is stuck in Purgatory, while Waverly reveals that the Black Badge Division has reached out for her help. Despite these concerns, Waverly reassures Nicole of her love and hints at possibly starting a family together.
In her battle against demons, Wynonna has relied on Peacemaker, the revolver passed down from her ancestor Wyatt Earp. However, in Vengeance, this relationship takes an unexpected turn. While her companions fend off Hellhounds, Wynonna faces Mina in Hell.
She confronts her former mentor, vowing to torment her endlessly as payback. After firing multiple shots from Peacemaker, Mina grabs the weapon, which is what Wynonna had hoped for.
Using a magical artifact, Wynonna traps both Mina and Peacemaker, and Waverly and Nicole rescue her just in time. This marks a significant moment, as Peacemaker, Wynonna’s signature weapon, is lost.
The special also introduces Lafferty (Andrew Bushell), a former Black Badge agent, who initially appears to help Wynonna and Doc.
However, his true identity is soon revealed when Doc exposes him as a fraud. In a final showdown, Doc, true to his reputation as the best gunfighter, takes down Lafferty and his men, but sustains a fatal injury.
He dies in Wynonna’s arms, and she later buries him, along with Mina and Peacemaker, on the land where Doc had planned to build their home. Waverly accepts a position with Black Badge, while Wynonna becomes Nicole’s deputy in Purgatory. As the special closes, they prepare to chase down a werewolf.
Emily Andras, the showrunner, has expressed her excitement about continuing the Wynonna Earp story. In an interview with TV Insider, she mentioned, “I’m ready to go if every fan watches it 200 times and keeps making noise. I have so many stories left to tell.”
With the upcoming Audible series Wynonna Earp: Tales from Purgatory set to find events before Vengeance, it seems the journey is far from over. Wynonna Earp: Vengeance is available for streaming on Tubi.
Wynonna’s journey in Wynonna Earp: Vengeance pushes both her physical and emotional limits, and it’s not just about demon-hunting. The special adds layers to Wynonna’s story by finding the personal challenges she faces. She has always been a fearless warrior, wielding Peacemaker to fight against supernatural threats.
However, Vengeance highlights her internal struggles as a mother and a protector, particularly her fear of putting her daughter Alice in danger because of her enemies.
Wynonna’s conversation with Doc shows a more vulnerable side, where she admits her doubts about motherhood and her concern that the monsters from her past will come after Alice.
Doc’s support and willingness to build a future with her is one of the emotional anchors of the special. His dream of a peaceful life, symbolized by the patch of land he talks about, contrasts with the violent reality they constantly face.
This conflict reaches its heartbreaking climax when Doc, in a final act of heroism, takes down Lafferty but pays the ultimate price. His death is a poignant reminder that no one in this world is invincible, not even the best gunfighter in the West.
On the other hand, Waverly and Nicole’s relationship remains a source of warmth and stability. Nicole’s concern for Waverly’s well-being shows how much she wants a life outside the constant danger of Purgatory.
Yet, Waverly’s decision to work with Black Badge complicates their plans for the future, adding tension but also showing their deep commitment to one another.