13 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
In "The Strain" Season 2, a vampiric plague, the strigoi virus, threatens humanity. Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, a CDC scientist, desperately seeks a biological weapon to cure it, while Abraham Setrakian, an elderly Holocaust survivor, hunts the ancient vampire responsible, known as the Master. Setrakian's primary goal is to find the Occido Lumen, a book containing secrets to defeating the Master. Meanwhile, Kelly, Eph's ex-wife, now a strigoi, hunts their son, Zack, under the Master's influence.
The season's central conflict revolves around Eph and Nora's race to perfect their virus and Setrakian's pursuit of the Lumen, often clashing with the Master's growing power and his lieutenants like Eichhorst and Bolivar. Key turning points include Eichhorst giving Kelly control of blind children to hunt Zack, and the Master forcing infected strigoi to commit suicide to thwart Eph's efforts. The season escalates with a major battle for Red Hook, where humans fight off a strigoi invasion. Nora is infected and chooses suicide to avoid turning, and Kelly abducts Zack.
The season ends with Setrakian, Fet, Gus, and Quinlan forming an alliance, using the Occido Lumen as bait to confront the Master, while Eph is left to deal with the devastating loss of Nora and the continued threat to Zack.
Season 2 of The Strain covers episodes 1-13. Here's everything that happened:
Season 2, Episode 1: BK, NY - The episode opens with a flashback to 1932, revealing the origins of the Master. In the present, Setrakian is kidnapped and makes a deal with the Ancients. Eph and Nora seek a biological solution to the strigoi virus. Eichhorst gives Kelly control of blind children. The episode concludes with Kelly beginning to regain her consciousness.
Season 2, Episode 2: By Any Means - Eph and Nora test a virus on an infected couple, achieving promising results. Flashbacks reveal Setrakian's first encounter with Palmer and his acquisition of Sardu's cane. Kelly, with her creepy Feelers, begins her hunt for Zack. Fet and Dutch eliminate strigoi, leading to an intimate moment. The episode concludes with Kelly sending the Feelers to find Zack.
Season 2, Episode 3: Fort Defiance - Bolivar unleashes the Master's resting ground on unsuspecting cops. Eph and Nora struggle to perfect their virus, while Setrakian experiments with the worms. Gus trains with Vaun, leading to an assault on Palmer's HQ, but Vaun and his team are incinerated by Palmer's UV defense system. The episode concludes with Eph releasing their test subject and Setrakian revitalized.
Season 2, Episode 4: The Silver Angel - The episode introduces Angel, a former luchador, and Gus recognizes him. Eph and Nora test their virus, but the Master forces the infected strigoi to commit suicide. Palmer orchestrates a vampire attack on financial leaders. Kelly and the Feelers track Zach to a batting cage. The episode concludes with Kelly closing in on Zach's scent.
Season 2, Episode 5: Quick and Painless - Eph shaves his head and boards a train to Washington, D.C., seeking to mass produce his virus, but Eph throws Barnes off the train to his death. Nora secures Fet's release by helping Feraldo identify the infected, leading to Feraldo facing the difficult decision to kill her turned nephew. The episode concludes with a mysterious plane landing in New Jersey.
Season 2, Episode 6: Identity - Eph woos a pharmaceutical contact in D.C. to mass-produce his bio-weapon. Gus bonds with Angel and protects Aanya from vampires. Nora and Zach are attacked by Kelly and the Feelers in a church, leading to Fitzwilliam's strigoi infection and subsequent beheading. The Master chooses Bolivar, not Eichorst, as his new vessel, initiating the Master's transformation.
Season 2, Episode 7: The Born - Quinlan's past as a gladiator is revealed as he joins Setrakian and Fet to hunt the Master. Dutch's former lover, Nikki, resurfaces, causing tension with Fet. Eph vows to kill Palmer for his role in the bioweapon failure. The Master escapes due to Fet's explosives. Eph and Fet discuss their frustrations at a bar.
Season 2, Episode 8: Intruders - Eichhorst coaches Kelly on appearing human to manipulate Zack. Eph and Zack seek a sniper rifle, aiding an injured Wu. Setrakian and Fet vie for the Lumen, but Eichhorst infects the Cardinal to find its owner. Kelly breaches Red Hook, convincing Zack to open the door. Eph and Nora fight her off, but Kelly escapes after Zack sees her true form.
Season 2, Episode 9: The Battle for Red Hook - Eichhorst transports strigoi into Red Hook, cutting power to the UV lights. Justine rallies citizens for defense as a large-scale battle erupts between humans and strigoi. Fet and Nora restore power, turning the tide with UV light. Eph and Setrakian confront Eichhorst, who escapes. The episode concludes with Red Hook celebrating a hard-won victory.
Season 2, Episode 10: The Assassin - Eph and Dutch attempt to assassinate Palmer, but Eph accidentally shoots Coco. Palmer demands the Master save Coco, who is revived with the Master's blood. Setrakian locates the Occido Lumen, but is knocked unconscious and the Lumen is stolen. Eph is arrested, but rescued by Fet and Nora. Dutch is taken to Eichhorst.
Season 2, Episode 11: Dead End - Eichhorst tortures Dutch while flashbacks reveal his past and betrayal of Helga. Gus helps the Guptas escape. Setrakian is captured, and Fonescu, after obtaining the Occido Lumen, intends to sell it. Fet, Nora, and Eph rescue Dutch from Eichhorst's clutches. Fonescu ultimately sells the Lumen to Alonso Creem.
Season 2, Episode 12: Fallen Light - Eph and Nora seek Justine's aid to move Zack and acquire resources for their bioweapon. Gus and Angel recruit prisoners to fight for Quinlan. Dutch chooses Nikki, leaving Fet heartbroken. The Mayor is assassinated, leading to Feraldo's rise. Quinlan tasks Gus with coercing Setrakian for the Lumen.
Season 2, Episode 13: Night Train - As Setrakian secures the Occido Lumen after Palmer's betrayal of Eichhorst, Eph, Nora, and Zach board the last train leaving New York. The train is ambushed, leading to Nora's infection and subsequent suicide by electrocution. Kelly abducts Zach. Setrakian, Fet, Gus, and Quinlan form an alliance to use the Lumen as bait for the Master.
