Wynonna Earp: Emily Andras Talks “No Future in the Past”

*** This article contains major spoilers for the Wynonna Earp Season 2 episode “No Future in the Past” ***

Well, well, well. We meet again, old friend. That’s right, Bobo is back on Wynonna Earp! Not only did Michael Eklund return as Bobo, but through Wynonna’s (Melanie Scrofano) vision quest, we also got to meet Robert Svain, the man Bobo was before he became a revenant. If you’re a fan of the mythology and legend of the Earp curse, then this was a major episode for you. Not only did we learn what the three seals are, how they were chosen and by whom, but we also learned that while the Widows and Stone Witch may be scary, no one compares to Sheriff Clootie.

There were many answers to be found in “No Future in the Past,” written by Wynonna Earp showrunner Emily Andras and directed by Paolo Barzman. Wynonna traveled into the past to see the true meaning behind Doc’s (Tim Rozon) ring, how he got into the well and why Clootie cursed Wyatt and his ancestors. We also learned that Wynonna is the one responsible for Bobo’s connection to Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), and why he has always protected her.

Whether or not that protection means other things for Waverly remains to be seen, but we did learn that she is not an Earp after all. Not only did that news crush her, but the fact that girlfriend Nicole (Katherine Barrell) kept the results a secret seems like it may lead to the first real fight for WayHaught. To discuss everything that went down, Andras once again joined us for our weekly chat to answer some questions, but mainly tease what’s still to come in Season 2. Also, be sure to check out below the sizzle reel shown at San Diego Comic-Con for more hints about what’s in store this season.

The TV Junkies: So, not to jump right to the end again, but Bobo is back! What does this mean?

Emily Andras: Bobo is back, resurrected and full badass! Why Bobo? Why Bobo out of all the revenants? Why is he the one that’s resurrected when she dies? I think there’s a lot of questions there that are intriguing and interesting. I just love that juxtaposition of back to complete, evil Bobo when we’ve just seen Robert Svain, who was a good man who got caught up in this curse. I really love that.

TTVJ: So he will be the evil Bobo then and maybe not a nicer one?

EA: We don’t know. That seems pretty judgy, Bridge. He had his red eyes, but we’re kind of figuring out along the way that there may or may not be revenants that are mixed up. Who knows?

TTVJ: You alluded to it, and you probably won’t answer, but since Bobo is back does that mean all the revenants are back? Will the Seven be back?

EA: No, I’m going to say right now that no, they are not. I don’t want you to think we’re going back to Season 1. No, it’s just Bobo. But what is special about him? Is it because he was shot outside of the Ghost River Triangle? Is it because of his connection to the Earps? We have to find out, eventually. Maybe in Season 3. Maybe Season 5. Maybe next episode.

TTVJ: Through the flashbacks we learned of Bobo’s connection to Waverly. There’s been an awful lot of talk of Waverly not only not being an Earp, but possibly being half revenant as well. Are you trying to tell us Bobo may be the father, or was he somehow responsible for Waverly coming to the Earps?

EA: Could be. She could be his father. It’s that kind of show, Bridge. Anything is possible, but look, there’s no doubt that Waverly and Bobo have this warped special bond. Bobo has a pretty special bond with all the Earp girls as we have seen, but what I really love about this storyline is that Wynonna, and her selflessness, realizes that she can plant the idea in Bobo’s head that Waverly is his angel. I feel in some ways that she is responsible for him being so fond of Waverly. Whether that means Waverly is legitimately his daughter, or just someone he cares about and is intrigued by? Well … Bridge.

TTVJ: Can we get a Maury episode where we find out all the fathers? Waverly and Wynonna’s baby can both be on there.

EA: OK, that’d be good. It’d be very cheap and that’s the good news.

TTVJ: Speaking of not being an Earp, from Nicole’s reaction and what we saw, is that confirmation that Waverly is not an Earp?

EA: I think that’s true. That’s why she tried to keep it from Waverly because she knew how terribly it would hurt Waverly, but the truth is the fact that Nicole lied to Waverly was ten times worse on some level. I think at the end when Waverly is looking over the test, looking over the ice and remembering the true circumstances of who saved her that day, she is starting to put some threads together in her heart too. Yes, it’s safe to assume the DNA test at least has confirmed that Waverly is not an Earp.

TTVJ: I was like ‘share the paper with the class, Waverly! We can’t see it!’

EA: Look, we showed you Doc’s note. We can’t show you everything, Bridget. We don’t want there to be too much reading on the show! You’re supposed to be more interested in her emotional response. If you have to choose between the paper and Dominique Provost-Chalkley’s gorgeous pained face what are you going to choose? You better answer carefully, Bridge.

TTVJ: WayHaught had to deal with the goo and everything, but this feels like it might be their first real fight. Will we see Nicole’s decision to keep the results a secret have repercussions in their relationship?

EA: Oh, I’d say definitely. They are not in a good place right now. Waverly left, Nicole is heartbroken, as is Waverly, and yes, I’d say describing it as their first fight is accurate. They are going to have to figure out how to resolve it, or not.

TTVJ: At least I have some hope though because “WayHaught Whisperer” Alex Zarowny wrote the next episode.

EA: But maybe Alex is over WayHaught? Maybe she’s like ‘I’m done with it!’ Maybe she wants to be known as more than the “WayHaught Whisperer.” Maybe she wants to be known as the “WayHaught Destroyer.” Just kidding, Alex! I love you and she’s coming back for Season 3!

Here’s the thing, yes, she is the “WayHaught Whisperer,” but the scripts go in order that the arc needs so…

TTVJ: I was trying to give WayHaught fans something to hold onto.

EA: Well, hope and love! That’s all you can hold onto.

TTVJ: Prior to that WayHaught drama, we got to see them plan a baby shower with Rosita, who I really became more fond of in this episode. Will she continue to integrate herself into the group, especially since it seems like she and Doc are still going strong?

EA: I’m really sympathetic to Rosita because I think she’s in a really tough position, which Nicole out of everyone understands and lays out for Waverly. She really cares about Doc, and Doc cares about her, but Doc has really strong feelings for Wynonna and he’s probably, maybe, possibly having a baby with her. Rosita is on the outside, but we’ve all been there where you’re dating someone, they have a long time group of friends and it’s difficult to integrate with that group of friends. I feel like this is a very real life challenge that most of us have gone through in one way or another.

It did make Rosita sympathetic, and I thought she was quite genuine about her gestures to try to do right with the baby shower, to get to know Waverly and Nicole a little better. I didn’t find her fake, and I think she really cares about Doc and getting to know his people. At the end of the day, who can resist Waverly? She’s the sweetest person ever and who wouldn’t want to be friends with her? Jerks! Only jerks, Bridget.

TTVJ: Thanks to the flashbacks I think we have a pretty good idea, but how afraid should we be about Mr. Clootie getting out if the Widows are successful breaking the three seals?

EA: I’d say very, very terrified. This is the demon that basically cast the Earp curse on Wyatt and his descendants, and the Earps are the ones that have put him underground, or sealed him into this tomb. It’s not going to be super duper. It’s not like the opening of a new McDonald’s in your neighborhood, Bridget, which is a cause of celebration for me because I don’t want to walk too far for that Big Mac. It’s worse than that and not good. They’ve already broken two of three seals, and now we know what the third seal is. So it’s not looking great for Doc. It’s not looking great for anybody.

TTVJ: One thing I liked about Michael Eklund being back was that we got to see more scenes between him and Tim. Did they have fun getting to work together again, especially in a bit of a different dynamic from the Doc/Bobo we are used to?

EA: Oh my god, those two together get so excited. With the exception of Mel, Michael is one of Tim’s favorite actors to play opposite. Tim always jokes that whatever Michael does in rehearsal is never the same thing that he does on set, so you really have to be in the moment with Michael and react to it. We were so pleased that Michael came back. He just brings a presence to both the set and the show where you realize that his charisma is unmatched. You really miss him, right?

I was also just really proud of him for playing this completely different side of Bobo, AKA Robert Svain. We really saw that back in the day the positions were reversed and Doc was the cruel, tortured bully, and Robert Svain was this principled, meek lawman. I just really loved that dynamic, and oh yeah, they loved playing it that way.

TTVJ: Michael was so great because you weren’t even thinking of the other Bobo.

EA: This is my dream Shakespearean level stuff, in that the idea that the Earps aren’t the only ones who have been cursed by this. Robert Svain is a victim of another sort. I think that’s all going to weigh on Wynonna as the Earp heir. That’s what makes Sheriff Clootie so bad because sometimes the innocent have been drawn into this web as well, and are tortured. It’s a really insidious type of curse and I think it’s interesting for Wynonna to get that context.

TTVJ: This seemed like a very big episode for Wynonna and Dolls, but you have me a little worried with all the talk about enemies being in your own house. Is this foreshadowing on their relationship? If so, I don’t like it, Andras!

EA: I think Dolls is about as moral of a character as we have on the show, but it’s also Wynonna Earp. Trust doesn’t come easy and part of the tragedy of this world is that people have their own agendas because they need to survive. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

TTVJ: They seem nice and cozy though at the end.

EA: They sure do! Well, they really went through something together. I think it was a good reminder how much Dolls cares about Wynonna. He loves her, he adores her and he’ll fight through anything to help her and try and save her.

TTVJ: Totally random question, but are we going with “tacos are tasty” now if in trouble over “pomegranate”?

EA: My favorite thing about that was that it was a complete improv by Mel. She’s so clever. The line was something about the horse running by Wynonna, and she doesn’t like horses, and was supposed to say ‘OK, you’re so majestic, I get it.’ Mel was like ‘I don’t like that,’ so for one take tried ‘tacos are tasty.’ Of course we kept it.

Dear Fangirl Shirts, I just want a “tacos are tasty” shirt. I feel that you guys owe me for the you know what, it’s not a thing, disaster. Someone call me when it gets on a t-shirt.

TTVJ: What can you share about what’s coming up in Episode 209?

EA: There’s a lot of really important conversations, which doesn’t sound very sexy, but is very sexy. We have some pairings that we need. We have some really scary shit happen in 209 and one of the most terrifying endings of the season. Then 210 is crazy, and one of my favorite episodes of the year. It’s completely exhausting and everybody needs to start working out to go through it. It’s so good and I’m so excited.

What did you think of Bobo’s return? Add your thoughts on this episode below!

Wynonna Earp airs Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Syfy and Space.