Pennyworth Review: The Landlord’s Daughter (Season 1 Episode 2)
Death looms tall on Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 2, “The Landlord’s Daughter.”
It comes with the upcoming execution of Bet, and it comes through Alfred’s run-in with John Ripper, whose autopsy skills and ash-covered death trap show a man not to be messed with. But it’s in keeping with the show’s showing of what is at stake, showing what Alfred is fighting for as he attempts to better his home.
The episode is able to tie together its macro story with its micro story in satisfying ways.
Courtesy of Epix
Alfred’s part of the story, using a Ripper family issue to scale up his business opportunities, is sure to tie back into the bigger picture. It’s a fresh way to take the show, that Alfred can do good for the community in between taking on dark societies.
Helping out the pub becomes a larger comment on street justice having its place for this band of disillusioned SAS officers looking to make something of themselves.
It comes out so much in their personality, how Alfred almost looks like he’s having fun with it, which helps show off another side of his character as he flippantly deals with lower-level thugs and enjoys the company of more normal people in more regular circumstances.
John Ripper’s name is one that is apparently to be feared or at the very least remembered, and so he’s likely involved in one of the two faceless entities currently at war (a safe guess is the bad side).
Courtesy of Epix
It’s a little muddy currently, but it appears that the No-Name League is on the side of the government, as a more liberal-leaning band versus their enemy’s fascist ideals. Due to that muddiness, it’s left to speculate that the No-Name League are the ones holding Bet and torturing throughout the episode.
Seeing the two secret societies from their different perspectives, the Raven Society and now the No-Name League, they come across as brutally alike, similarly medieval with their torture and information withdrawal techniques. Their motives are at odds, despite this, and both on this episode and Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” provide small morsels of information.
Some are unwilling to accept punishment and torture on the No-Name League’s side, coughing up members with ease, as evidenced by Thomas Wayne’s name on the previous episode; here, all manners of torture are willing to be endured to withhold on behalf of the Raven Society. One appears willing to die for their cause, or at least have more diehard followers.
There’s also the guard fraternizing and being used by Bet. He falls for her ploy quickly, allowing for a body swap before Bet can be executed. While it’s nice for Bet to continue on the show as one of its strongest (and strangest) characters, it comes across as rather simple to escape death. Her sister, Peggy, looks like a woman of means, however, so perhaps more information can make that easier to accept.
Courtesy of Epix
It’s an issue Pennyworth has on both episodes so far. Some moments of likely great difficulty become fast solutions, while simple matters become grand and elaborate. It stretches the show’s logic a little, but it’s a small complaint when it’s still so entertaining.
Esme noting Alfred’s absence during her second performance, her reaction to Bet’s letter, and growing fearful before Alfred enters their home, shows there are signs of a growing disconnect, some still-present trauma from the kidnapping. It makes their engagement both good news and a little tough on her character, as there’s likely to be more awfulness ahead to overcome.
Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 2, “The Landlord’s Daughter,” finds itself a comfortable continuation, where character growth is skillfully layered into story to allow both to complement each other. While the two societies at war isn’t as exciting, it’s the smaller, more effective story of Alfred’s struggle to find his feet while trying to keep his newfound love safe where the show finds its most entertainment.
What did you think of this episode of Pennyworth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Pennyworth airs Sundays at 9/8c on Epix.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.