Essentially, Thursday's "La Luna Sangre" was all just a setup for Friday's finale --rallying speeches about how evil should not triumph, a foreboding prophecy and a goodbye hug between Malia (Kathryn Bernardo) and Tristan (Daniel Padilla).

In the darker corners, Sandrino (Richard Gutierrez) has set the wheels of his world domination plot in motion. Take what you will of seeing a dark, messianic figure turning anyone with a mobile phone into a member of his zombiefied horde though brainwashing.

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One might be tempted to say it was all filler for Friday, but it's hard to ignore one of the key moments that captures the show's message ahead of the inevitable bloodshed.

Having lost a loved one, Malia delivers an impassioned speech about finding humanity deep inside oneself amid the horrors of war. They may only be half-humans, but it's worth remembering that side of them capable of mercy and forgiveness.

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This moved Tristan, who could only watch in horror as Sandrino killed his beloved lolo and lola right before his eyes. It convinced him, especially after also seeing his half-sister lose herself to anger, that Malia's plan to slay Sandrino will not break this cycle of revenge. Violence can only result in further violence.

Note how all this began: Sandrino lost his father. He avenged them by killing Malia's parents. Now, she's the one out for blood.

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Determined to end this senseless circling around, Tristan then proposes to talk to Sandrino and try to convince him that he is loved, that he has a shred of kindness left inside of him, and that not all is lost for him as he still has a brother.

Malia, fully aware that this could end in Tristan dying, agrees. He asks her to give him an hour and if he's not back by then, fear the worst. Will he return in time? Fans will find out Friday.