Timeless Roundtable: Back from the Dead

Timeless Season 2 Episode 4, “The Salem Witch Hunt,” delivered some heart blows as Wyatt ripped away the chance of Lyatt being together just about as soon as they agreed they were an item.

But, it’s complicated. Wyatt’s wife returned from the dead, and it is impossible to blame Wyatt for being loyal to his marriage.

Lyatt drama was joined by Riya drama and a new Time Team member, Flynn on “The Salem Witch Hunt!”

The triad traveled to the deadliest day of the Salem Witch Trials and ended up turning them into the Salem Witch Rebellion.

Tell-Tale TV writers Allison Nichols, Janelle McCammack are joined by Jacki Pytlik, host of Sipping Sisters Podcast, to discuss “The Salem Witch Hunt.”

Allison Nichols (@AllisonBlairN)
Janelle McCammack (@schoolsoutlaw)
Jacki Pytlik (@UretaYah)

1. What was going through your mind during the phone call where Wyatt tells Lucy that Jessica is alive?

Allison: I really just loved how open Wyatt was with Lucy. He didn’t hold anything back.

Wyatt was open and vulnerable on the phone, and Lucy was there to listen.

She didn’t shut down at the mention of Jessica. She understood what Jessica being back meant to Wyatt, and she put his interests above her own.

This conversation was about Lucy being there for someone she cares about. The focus wasn’t on her hurt feelings nor jealousy. Lucy was focused on how Wyatt was doing and making sure he was okay.

This was such a great scene that highlighted how close Lucy and Wyatt have become.

Jacki: I felt so sad for Lucy. You could tell she was so excited about talking to Wyatt and then he tells her Jessica is alive and you just see all her hopes and dreams go up in smoke.

But I did so appreciate that Wyatt did not try to hide that Jessica is alive. He came right out and told Lucy and you could see he knew at that moment he was breaking her heart and his as well.

Janelle: I just kept on thinking that Lucy is Wyatt’s best friend. He’s talking to her as a best friend first and his romantic interest second.

I was crushed because it’s so sad that he has to talk it out with her, but Lucy can’t be objective and give best friend advice. They love each other!

When Lucy literally couldn’t hold herself up I ached for her because there is no good solution to this pain.

It was achingly Shakespearean.

2. Do you agree with Rufus that it is better for Jiya to keep her premonitions to herself? How do you think this burden will weigh on Riya’s relationship?

Allison: I honestly don’t know. Rufus knowing is definitely more a hindrance, at least when it comes to this particular vision.

I’m not sure what him knowing that he was going to get burned would have done. I think it might depend on whatever Jiya sees.

She should maybe also confide in Lucy instead of Rufus. I do think Jiya’s visions and how they are handled in the future will impact her relationship with Rufus.

It’s going to be a constant, “should I tell him? Does he want to know?” struggle for Jiya, and then I can see Rufus trying to shut her down every time she walks up to him to talk about a vision.

I really just want Riya to keep sailing smoothly, but there’s definitely choppy water ahead.

Jacki: Yes, I agree with Rufus, when he explained that because he knew about the premonition it made it a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I can see why it’s better that he doesn’t know.

Also, I think because the premonitions are pretty sporadic and vague that it will be hard to figure out exactly what they mean.

I’m hoping this won’t be too much of a burden on their relationship because I just love Riya so much! I’m thinking her other health problems will overshadow the premonitions.

Janelle: I don’t think that was the right call, and I definitely don’t think the way Rufus communicated his opinion was right.

He basically blamed Jiya for the death of the scar-faced man in the past because she shared her premonition.

Not cool, Rufus!

Noone knows the significance of the premonitions. We do know, though, that is is a heavy burden for Jiya, physically and mentally.

Rufus needs to step up and be there for Jiya as she figures it all out.

I mean, Jiya is already in the very difficult position of having to wait for her love to return from time travel while trapped in the bunker with Connor Mason!

At least she has Agent Christopher around to talk with — that is a relationship I would like to see expand more and this could be the perfect opportunity.

3. What advice do you have for Lucy, Wyatt, and Rufus after this episode?

Allison: Stop changing history!

The Time Team has gotten a bit lax on keeping history intact. They will do whatever it takes to stop Rittenhouse and right whatever wrongs they feel history has done to some people.

Did those women deserve to die in Salem? Of course not, but you can’t use your time machine to alter history in whatever way you see fit because then you’re just as bad as Rittenhouse.

Jacki: I feel like they need to make sure they have a team meeting and discuss all that they have found out about Rittenhouse and what they think Rittenhouse’s next steps might be.

I would hope they would quickly realize that Lucy is in danger, her mom all but told her that she is in the way and Rittenhouse is going to try and eliminate her.

Janelle: Stop fighting for the relationships in the past and START fighting for the relationships in your present.

4. What do you think about Flynn’s first trip as a member of the Time Team?

Allison: I absolutely loved it!

It was such a fun way to change up the dynamics, and I really loved watching him interact with Lucy and Rufus.

Rufus was constantly wary of how Flynn would react, and Lucy turned her back, giving Flynn permission, so to speak, to get a little rough to get answers.

I love Flynn, and even though he was one of their enemies back during season one, there’s no doubt as to whether or not he’s on their side now. If there was this concern that Flynn would turn on them at any given moment then him taking a trip in the lifeboat wouldn’t be as fun as it is.

Thankfully, we know he’s committed to stopping Rittenhouse, and so we get to explore the team learning how to work together.

Hopefully, Flynn goes out on another mission with them again soon.

Jacki: I absolutely loved Flynn!

While I love the OG Time Team, Flynn was such a great fit. I feel like he is truly one of those bad guys you still root for in the end.

I feel like this was the perfect episode/ time period to have Flynn take Wyatt’s place. His scenes with Rufus made me laugh so much and his hunt for a gun was perfectly portrayed.

I also really loved the understated jealous feels coming from Wyatt as Flynn helped Lucy off the time boat and the look Flynn gave Wyatt.

I feel like so much was said without any dialogue, which Timeless does amazingly well, and especially well in this episode.

Janelle: I was beyond ready for Flynn to join the Time Team!

Goran Visnijic has fantastic chemistry with everyone. The episode did NOT disappoint — it delivered exciting, fun and richly emotional Flucy and Flufus content.

Flynn has experienced such pain and suffering at the hands of Rittenhouse. During “The Salem Witch Hunt” we got to see that Flynn can be trusted to do as he says and do it how he says.

He may be violent, but he is never dishonest about it.

I may be the only one, but I am actually more interested in a Lucy-Wyatt-Flynn love triangle than a Lucy-Wyatt-Jessica one. Bring it on!

5. What was your favorite line or part of the Salem Witch Hunt, erm, Rebellion episode?

Allison: I loved that we saw Rufus and Jiya’s conversation and realized how much history had been changed.

The implications of saving all those women weren’t glossed over. “Witch hunt” is now a non-existent term. It’s a big deal.

Jacki: I have a favorite line and part.

My favorite line was when Rufus told Flynn “Flying coach sucks” in reference to the older time boat.

My favorite part was how we subtly learned about all the things we thought we knew about the witch trials that are not true. For example, it wasn’t mostly teenagers accusing and they were not burned, they were hanged.

Janelle: Wow, there were so many amazing lines and parts to choose from. My favorite scene was when Lucy was in jail with other accused women. I loved the line when Lucy’s mom showed up and offered to get her out if she would return to her team.

Lucy was completely honest when she said, “I’d rather be hanged.”

It was a powerful line and a reminder that the Salem Witch Trials forced people to choose between life and integrity.

What did you think of “The Salem Witch Hunt” Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of Timeless Season 2 Episode 4, “The Salem Witch Hunt,” right here.

Timeless airs Sundays at 10/9c on NBC.