Seconds Out

"Seconds Out" is the twelfth episode of season two of The Last Ones and the twenty-eighth episode overall. It was published for the first time on November 6th 2017.
==Plot==
When Alexis feels her power slipping due to Bernadette's manipulation of the residents of Victoria, she takes drastic action. Meanwhile, Lorna and Blaine once again come to violent blows. Elsewhere, Henry takes the initiative to try and create peace between Peter and Charlotte.
==Synopsis==
After a night's sleep at Blaine's camp, Alexis thanks Blaine for his hospitality. Blaine admits he was surprised she didn't fear being killed in her sleep. He says he's not sly and is up-front if he intends to harm someone. When asked why she should trust him, he reiterates his previous failures as a leader and says it's a hassle he can do without. Alexis says before he and his people go to Victoria, she requests they go and track down Lorna in the woods close to Summerlyn and kill her. Blaine is taken aback upon realising Alexis is talking about the same woman who attacked him previously. He tells her she's as good as dead.
In Midway, Peter approaches Aimi. She says she finds it hard to understand why strong people like Ollie, Joy, and Sean are dead. She says the strong were supposed to be the last left. Peter points out Milo was helpless. Aimi is horrified by her insensitively. Peter hugs her to let her know no offense was taken. He then spots Charlotte in the distance and hurries towards her angrily, as he had demanded she leave the night previously. Charlotte says Henry told her she could stay. When she refuses to go, Peter points his gun at her head, shocking Aimi, Lydia-Jean, and several others. Henry hears the commotion and hurries outside. He demands Peter lower his gun and calls both him and Charlotte to his quarters so they can finally sort things out.
In Victoria, a delighted Bernadette is thrilled by Alexis's absence and is confident she will be ousted as leader. When Luke expresses his desire to attend the upcoming funerals, Bernadette convinces him not to. Luke, who is yet to tell Bernadette he's aware of her lies about his friends being dead, plays along and asks her to say a few words about them on his behalf. She agrees and leaves. Jasmin requests to be there when he gets his revenge.
As Blaine and his group hunt for Lorna, he tells them to be careful as Lorna has the advantage. Carlos disputes this as she's out-manned but Blaine reminds him how she sneaked into their camp and killed several of her people before they even know she was there and that they're in a woods she has grown used to. When teenager Jackson finds Lorna's footprints, Blaine praises him, unaware Lorna is about to attack. She stabs Jackson through the chest, killing him instantly. They open fire but she disappears. Steve, Jackson's father, drops to his knees in horror. Blaine and the rest of the group rush off to track Lorna down.
At the funerals outside Victoria, Jenson speaks about Alvin. Coleman then delivers Steph's eulogy. After, Monty tries to talk about his daughter Monika, but gets too upset and heads back into town. Bernadette then says a little something instead and asks if anybody would like to say anything about Michael. Alexis, who has arrived home, approaches the grave sites and says she would. 
Charlotte tells Peter she had no choice to work for Eli as her mother's life was at stake. Peter says if she had told them they would have helped her, but she reminds him that Eli would have found out as he watched their every move. Charlotte is horrified to discover Milo was murdered as a result of her killing Eli. 
Bernadette and Howie are irritated by Alexis's return and say she's come back now they have done all the hard work. Bernadette reveals there is going to be a discussion of leadership leader. She is taken aback when Alexis expresses her approval. Zombies then approach the area so Alexis says some kind words about Michael and says he will be missed. The residents then return inside to the safety of the town. 
Back in the woods, Blaine and his people continue their search for Lorna. Blaine spots her sneaking up on Jim and Laurie, the former of whom has his hand taken off by Lorna's sickle. Blaine opens fire and manages to hit her in the leg. She scurries away, injured. Blaine tells the others to stay behind as he finishes her off. He searches for her as she hides. She sneaks up behind him but he hears her coming and kicks her to the floor. He says he admires her guts and says he is forced to kill her as she wants him dead. Before he can kill her, a man, Diego, knocks him out from behind. An acquaintance of his, Claire, hurries to Lorna, who has fallen unconscious. She says she is still breathing and they should get her back to base. 
Charlotte is mortified and is deeply upset about Milo's death. Henry implores Peter to realise Charlotte is not a bad person and that she was just as much of a victim of Eli's as he was. Peter admits he's right and says it was easier to blame Charlotte and think of her as some sort of monster. Henry says the past few days with Sean has taught him that everyone needs to stick together in spite of differences and that he wishes he had been more understanding and compassionate. Just then, Bobby enters and demands that if Charlotte goes then he does, too. He is relieved to hear that she's staying. She hugs him, touched by his loyalty. Peter apologises to Charlotte for raising his gun at her and also expresses his sympathy over her mother's death. 
Shiloh asks Shiro if he's seen Donna. Shiro reveals she went out on a run with Jai, Javier, and Drew. Shiloh says he's worried about Donna as she blames herself for Sean's demise. Shiro admits he too is concerned about Jai for the same reason. He says he hopes they are worrying over nothing. Out in the open, Javier is dismayed and concerned by Jai's and Donna's blood-thirst in taking out zombies when they don't need to. Drew remarks that they have lost it. 
Reginald rouses Blaine and the two head back to the others. Blaine says to Steve they can bury Jackson somewhere nice and then get to Victoria. 
It's revealed that Diego and Claire are members of Noah's community and brought Lorna for medical attention. Noah tells Diego he understands his desire to save people but they can't afford to take in strangers. Diego responds by saying they found Lorna close to Victoria, so by saving her it might put them in good standing with Michael Lewis's group. Noah agrees and upon discovering Lorna is in coma, he says they shall see how it goes. After he leaves, Diego turns to Lorna and says he hopes she's worth the hassle. 
Bobby brings Beatrice to Charlotte and even though Charlotte is initially hesitant, she holds her and is touched when Beatrice gives her a hug. Peter enters and Charlotte apologises, but he says there's no reason to, he's just come to put Beatrice down for a nap. Once he's gone, Charlotte tells Bobby she doesn't think Peter will ever be normal with her again. Bobby tells her to take baby steps. 
Shiro welcomes Javier back from his run and asks how it went. Javier tells him how reckless Jai and Donna were. Shiro is troubled when Javier reveals that Jai did not say a word all day. 
In Victoria, Jenson warns Alexis that Bernadette is about to take away her role as leader. She says she already knows. He offers to come along and back her up, but she kindly declines and says she needs him on-watch as a group shall soon be arriving and when they do, he is to let them in. Alexis walks over to the other residents, where it's asked why there needs to be a vote and why Alexis can't remain leader. To persuade them, Bernadette reveals Lydia-Jean is Alexis's niece and she was sent into her house to spy on her, and that Lydia-Jean helped Lorna invade the town. Alexis insists she knew nothing of her ties to Lorna, but the revelation is enough start a vote. Bernadette wins and is thrilled, but Blaine and his group enter. 
The residents of Midway gather for Sean's funeral. Peter says how much of a good friend Sean was and how he was there for him when he was at his lowest. He says even though some people may have a negative opinion on him because of his behaviour before he died, he tells them he had demons, but he had a heart of gold. Henry then speaks and says he doesn't feel as if he has a right to after his fall-out with Sean, but he says he was wrong to act the way he did and should have been more understanding. Henry says it can't just be his say on how things are run and that the community should make decisions together. He then says to Sean that he is sorry they never got to make amends. Jai walks away from the grave. 
Bernadette explains to Blaine that she won a leadership vote. He says it's null and void as Alexis is the only person in charge and from now on, she is God to them. Bernadette says this is a democracy, but Blaine corrects her and says it's a dictatorship. He declares a curfew and says if they don't like it, they can hit the road, but there will be a zero tolerance policy on rule-breaking. He reiterates that what Alexis says goes. He requests Coleman see to Jim and then tells everyone to get to their houses. Alexis is impressed. 
Bernadette rushes inside and is horrified and upset to discover Luke was the one who gave Alexis the heads up. He says he knows she lied about his friends and says her mind-games will be her un-doing. Bernadette rushes off and says he will regret it. Jasmin shouts "have the decency to cry into your pillow! We don’t deserve to be keep up by your pathetic sobbing!" which calls back to when Bernadette said a similar thing to her after she was upset over Derrick's death. Luke tells Jasmin he didn't realise things with Blaine would turn out the way they have. He suggests they be law-abiding citizens for a while before getting out of dodge. 
Alexis is disheartened to find out Lorna is alive but says she can't be too disappointed with Blaine after what he's done for her. She then shows him and his people to a house. 
In Midway, Peter and Henry compliment each other on their speeches. Henry asks Peter what he thinks Midway should do going forward. He says winter is imminent and sleeping in tents isn't going to suffice. They decide to build huts as sleeping quarters with materials from a nearby construction site. Henry exclaims that Midway is moving up in the world. 
==Deaths==
*Jackson.
*Numerous counts of zombies.
==Trivia==
*First (and last) appearance of Jackson.
*First appearance of Steve.
*First appearance of Laurie.
*First appearance of Jim.
*First appearance of Diego.
*First appearance of Claire.
*Last appearance of the restaurant camp.
*This episode marks the twenty-fifth appearance of Jai, Shiro, and Beatrice.
*Mr. Ashby, who was introduced in the previous episode, is revealed to be called Noah.
*Lawrence, Paul, Mel, and Casey, previously unnamed residents of Victoria, are named in this episode.
*The title of this episode refers to what a referee shouts when asking all non-combatants to leave the ring in a duelling, boxing, or wrestling match, as the next round is imminent. This refers to the second violent altercation between Blaine and Lorna which takes place in this episode.
*Blaine refers to Lorna as Patrick Stewart and Ben Kingsley in this episode, two famous actors who are bald.