Will Review: Play The Devil (Season 1 Episode 9)

All of the storylines have now merged into the religious political plot on Will Season 1 Episode 9, “Play The Devil.”

I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not.

Superfluous side plots, like Richard and his sexual conquests, are now gone or are absorbed into the more serious drama, but, the fun, playful, and sometimes musical, comedy has gone with them.

This penultimate Season 1 episode is an hour of stressful theatrics.

Don’t get me wrong, I love me some angst, but Will has shown me already that it can have that with a healthy dose of comedy for some much needed levity. Many of Shakespeare’s plays handled both well. I expect a rock and roll version of his life to do that, too. At least more consistently.

It has been hit and miss this season with highs and lows. I love one episode, but am bored the next.

Will Season 1 Episode 9,”Play The Devil,” is neither hit nor miss, high nor low, exciting nor boring. It succeeds in moving the plot towards the final episode, and combining all the characters into one storyline, but not much else.

It might be that the religion/politics subject has been my least favorite aspect of the show, and now it is its prime focus.

Everything is all very well acted and shot beautifully. The walk and talk with Will and Topcliffe is exceptionally striking.

Marlowe is usually very good at making the melodrama not overly melodramatic, but on “Play The Devil” he slips between genuine and cheesy.

I do love that he becomes very heroic, dropping his self-pity, and rushing to the aid of others. Marlowe’s action puts the saintly Southwell to shame.

Marlowe’s intervention also sets Will up to possibly be the hero in the final episode. Although, I would very much like to see Alice be her own hero.

However, she is doing an admirable job of standing up to Topcliffe, even if she is a bit in damsel-in-distress territory with that cliffhanger ending.

All in all, I think this episode serves a purpose, but isn’t too dynamic for individual viewing.

Stray Observations:

• Mattias Inwood is excellent as Richard, who is finally given some depth. I have been waiting for this!
• And how sweet were his scenes with Moll (Abigail Hardingham)?
• “If you want to terrify the audience, make us see ourselves in him.” Again, Alice gives Will some vital advice.
• Presto’s role is really developing, and Lukas Rolfe is more than up to the task.
• Southwell has been annoying me, and in this episode he is insufferable. “Peace will come. Then you will write my story, and we will inspire the world.” Ugh.
• I love all the references to words as weapons.
• I am really looking forward to the demise of Topcliffe. I hope Will’s play succeeds.

What did you think of this episode of Will? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Will airs Mondays at 9/8c on TNT.

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