{
  "id": 16209665,
  "title": "Yaga Episodes 1 & 2 Recap and Review",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/yaga-episodes-1-2-recap-and-review",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-23T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/yaga-episodes-1-2-recap-and-review-hudson-williams-carrie-anne-moss-noah-reid-clark-backo"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The first two episodes of Yaga, a modern retelling of the Eastern European folktale of Baba Yaga, provide an alternate version of the traditional lore. Yaga, played by Alexia Eileen, is a complex character who can embody both villain and mentor, depending on the story. The series, written by Kat Sandler, blends seduction, horror, and humor throughout, with many twists that challenge the audience's perception of reality.\n\nIn Episode 1, the series opens with narration from Baba Yaga herself, who describes her appearance in tales as \"wicked as the night and as wise and powerful as the sea.\" However, she hints at a deeper warning. The episode then introduces the main characters: Whittock, a small Pacific Northwest-esque island town, and the story's protagonists, Charlie Rapp (Noah Reid) and Sergeant Carson (Clark Backo), who are forced to team up to investigate the disappearance of billionaire playboy Henry Park (Hudson Williams).\n\nRapp, played by Noah Reid, appears to be a questionable investigator hired by the Park family. Carson, played by Clark Backo, is initially suspicious of Rapp's intentions. The investigation takes them through the town, where they encounter various leads, including images from Henry's bedroom pointing to people Rapp and Carson have associated with. A recurring theme throughout the episode is chickens, symbolizing the mysterious and unsettling nature of the plot.\n\nIn Episode 2, Rapp and Carson delve deeper into the investigation by going undercover at what appears to be Henry's dark solstice party. The episode culminates in a shocking twist, revealing that Henry is indeed alive and hosting the party despite his \"disappearance.\" The episode also introduces Katherine Hargrove (Carrie-Anne Moss), Henry's roommate and a professor at the university he attends. Katherine is portrayed as a complex character with a mysterious past, referred to as the \"Boner Beast\" due to her alleged relationships with students. The final act of Episode 2 sees Rapp and Carson searching for Henry at his party, where they encounter a surreal scene of Henry engaging in a sexual act with a woman against his photo wall, wearing devil horns and ethereal angel wings.",
  "summary": "Yaga Premiere Review: Kat Sandler’s retelling of the Slavic witchy folktale will have you grasping for more clues in the dark, while your jaw is dropped wide open.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}