WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Deep Insanity: The Lost Child, "Take 04," now streaming on Funimation.
The political ramifications of the Exiles are expanded in Episode 4 of Deep Insanity: The Lost Child, going far beyond the character exploration that might have been expected. While Episodes 2 and 3 focused on Sumire and Larry respectively, instead of Daniel getting to know Reika better as per the established formula, the squad decides to delve into Leslie's past and discovers some truths about Commander Vera in the process. Leslie's past comes back to haunt him soon afterward, as a man from photos of Leslie's career as a crossdresser infiltrates Asylum command with the intention of killing Daniel before he can assassinate El-Cee.
Hayden is a villain still shrouded in mystery; his connections are unclear and his motivation remains unknown. His involvement with Asylum seems to indicate he was once an intimate member of the project. Somehow, he was able to bring Exiles up into the command center -- particularly ferocious Exiles called Cultists who have lost all semblance of reason. He is also aware of Vera's plot to assassinate El-Cee and is determined to prevent it, as El-Cee is critical to his own plans.
Much like El-Cee, Hayden also has a child who accompanies him -- a girl named Nadia who carries otherworldly rabbits in her pockets. It's possible that Nadia is also an Exile who was brought to the surface just as the Cultists were. When Nadia informs Hayden that the Antarctic Front is soon going to make their move, he wonders if they've finally admitted the existence of the Star Child. The battle between Vera and Leslie attempting to kill El-Cee and Hayden trying to keep her alive for his own purposes could well become the central conflict of the show.
However, Hayden being their skeleton in the closet is not the episode's only revelation about Leslie and Vera. Besides discovering that the two were friends before Asylum as well as acquainted with Leslie -- and possibly even lovers with Hayden -- Leslie confirms his support for Vera's plan to assassinate El-Cee, and Vera admits that she is willing to let Daniel take the fall, whether he succeeds or not. Whatever Hayden might have in plan for El-Cee, it's clear that Vera -- who has always seemed extremely objective -- sees it in their best interests to remove El-Cee from the equation. What one small girl could do to tip the scales is unknown, but Larry has admitted that much about the Exiles is unknown.
The Exiles continue to be one of the most interesting parts of the show, and it would have made the show stronger to include them from the beginning, both for the audience and for the sake of logic. Even if Daniel is untrained, the fact he was not made aware of people living down in Asylum is ridiculous. The Cultists are also possibly the creepiest of all Asylum opponents encountered so far, and facing off against them would have been much more impactful than the CGI monsters as well as raised a number of moral questions. Even if the Cultists are mad Exiles, do Sleepers have the right to invade their home and kill them?
Hayden and Nadia are also interesting elements who were not played to their full potential, with an attack on Daniel's life that could have easily been successful if Hayden had actually been trying. The fight is nothing but a way to push the plot along and establish that Leslie and Vera have connections with Hayden. While Hayden's past with Leslie and Vera is certainly something to follow up on, the fact that he doesn't want to assassinate a child makes him almost sympathetic.
Whatever Hayden's motivations concerning the Star Child may be, he has proven himself competent at securing information, infiltrating Asylum headquarters and even bringing Exiles up to the surface. He is a definite threat for the Sleepers going forward, and Nadia's abilities and possible origins only enhance that. As the show digs into the conspiracies surrounding Asylum, Hayden is sure to make another appearance, and next time, he might walk away with blood on his hands.
