mister gloom

A few thoughts: This might just be the Harps I had before the airing but the Putney family better pray that it's Caliban that breaks through. He'll just be pissed off enough to kill them quick. If Brona/Lily decides that he's important enough to her plan to free...she'll enjoy it. We also got a piece of Sembene's back story: I'm guessing the slave trading that got him those marks also probably made him persona non-grata were he grew up. Its interesting that this means that literally none of the heroes are completely free from sin as they all have various degrees of blood on their hands. And I'll say again: Any scene with Sembene and Ethan is pure gold. Calling it: Hecate lives through the finale and serves as a false lead villain for the beginning of Season 3 before biting it by episode 5. In addition: Brona/Lily-Dorian-John Clare serve as significant villains (if not the sole villains) for Season 3.

Alright I'm rerunning my DVDVR of the portrait scene and I don't think Dorian is either of the fallen angels. He was too shocked when the portrait swivled its head and *looked* at him for it to be one of the fallen angels (and I don't think that would have happened with either of them anyways).. Now as to how he got the portrait? I don't think it'll be the same source as the original story... Regarding Dorian murdering Angelique? The fact that he was as casual about killing him as he was indicates this isn't his first rodeo. At least Hecate is honest, both her and her mother will kill Lyle, but she'll let him live longer. Also, I liked the empowerment themes of Lilly/Brona's monologue but, if thought about, it sets the stage that she's far worse than Caliban/Clare is. He has one virtue and one flaw that actually limits the overall damage that he can do. The virtue is, that while he's certainly capable of remorselessly killing others he's capable of at least actual affection (and not wanting to intentionally hurt) at least some people based on what we've seen. He also has a stunning inferiority complex that limits the scope of the large scale damage he's capable of causing (as a matter of fact, I think his shock and fear at Brona's monologue was based as much on scope of what she was saying as on finding someone who'd actually stand up to him...the whole "Humanity's blood will water our garden bit"...he seemed to get noticeably more freaked out around this part of the scene).

For what its worth: In betting between Hecate and Evelynn? I might actually pick Hecate as her plan seems to be predicated first on supplanting her mother (possibly by undoing her immortality) and then taking it from there and less some specific grand thing. Also, did anyone else think that her comments to Lyle regarding betrayal indicate that she knows his feelings on the situation and is going to let it go (or file it away for later use) while her mother doesn't? Lyle's survival odds? Depends on whether turning good is a death sentence or not. Well, they at least made an effort to integrate Angelique & Dorian into the main story, have to appreciate that. Regarding Angelique and Dorian breaking Angelique's heart? A sign of that was in the "Dance with me Dorian" "Later" response (geez dude, a little pleasantness...). It really did look like a nice ball until the whole blood bath thing... And any time they combine Ethan & Sembene in a scene together is gold, no matter how small...

Re: Mr. Lyle, its worth noting that he's helping the protagonists far more than he's helping the witches: He's warned Sir Malcolm against Evelynn, he helped (without any attempt at betrayal) in warding the house, he pretty much lied to Evelynn Poole about Ethan (albeit in a way that left him plausible denialability). He's not quite going far enough to stick his neck out and reveal everything...but the signs point in a positive directions. I genuinely did not know that about mirrors, I assumed that he covered the mirror out of fear of...partially backing out of his agreement. I like Ethan and Vanessa more as friends (though I could live with it), but I just don't see the John Clare/Vanessa shipping, they definitely work better as friends/philosophical debate partners.

And after a nice Memorial Day weekend power watch...I've caught up. This might well be the best episode the show has ever had (and I particularly like the Vanessa/Witches story) but on this episode in particular: 1. While Ethan was right in sniffing out the attempt to infilatrate them he was right for the wrong reason (and Sir Malcolm appears to be being subtly brainwashed...which puts him one up on the lord in the cut-wife episode...who didn't even need that). Also, did anyone else catch the context of the conversation between Ms. Poole & Hecate in that, while not a day at the beach, they had a counter for him? 2. Moment of funny: Ethan " Does she have dessert for breakfast?" Sembene: "All the time" *chuckle* 3. I'm curious about the rules for the wolfman in the Pennydreadful Universe. Why? They apparently think they can handle Sembene, have somehow influence (particularly unconsciously) Sir Malcolm, and are blackmailing Mr. Lyle. Why is Ethan above their other efforts? 4. For anyone curious: Regarding the "Satan/Lucifer did not fall alone" comment: a brief search indicates that something like 69-100 angels fell with Lucifer in the rebellion with Heaven (interestingly, depending on what source you consult, Satan, Lucifer, and Belial, which are all indications of the same being in the Bible, could all be different creatures). Which are which is a bit beyond me, but there are a *lot* of choices just based off demonology. Not saying that Penny Dreadful is going with this interpretation (there has been an Egyptian influence in the past), but just a comment that the idea that Lucifer didn't fall alone is not original and is consistent with some beliefs.

Well, we had a resolution to the Mina storyline and kind ifthe Brona storyline. I cant call it a letdown, especially because Dalton's performance at the end was a picture of what happens when hope dies. The action scene at the end was much better than 2 weeks ago. And the priest this week was a 180 from last week: willing to help and knowledgable but absolutely no bullshit that things are going to be HARD. I actually like the carryover of the storyline, the situation with Vanessa is the overaching storyline. And I think Malcolm may have found someone...maybe.

A couple of thoughts: I liked Sembene's discussion of Mina to Malcolm best, possibly because it really came off like he was trying to stop a friend from doing something especially stupid. Well, its official, I fast forward through parts of the Caliban story now. Do not give a flip about him and the actress. Although, the good news is that all of the easy to kill people around Victor are gone. Anyone else Caliban goes after that Frankenstein has spent time around is more than capable of fighting back. Thirdly, while I think it shows lack of trust on Malcolm's part I also think a part of him was trying to protect Vanessa in a "They want her? Alright then I'm not taking her type way. Lastly, this show really needed a 12 episode season as, for a normal 6th episode this would be fine but I can not see how the conclusoion will not be rushed.