Pennyworth Review: Marianne Faithful (Season 1 Episode 10)
Change is in the air on Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 10, “Marianne Faithful,” as Lord Harwood’s coup goes into full swing, putting everyone’s future into question.
But the events of the episode come as a way to wipe the board a little too cleanly, with how simply the master plan can be dismantled and how mass casualties with a late-game (and less earned) twist make for an uncertain future for Pennyworth.
The strange thing about Harwood’s coup is that the way it’s framed on the episode, the coup lasts maybe a few hours at most. The Queen manages a sandwich and a game of cards during her kidnapping, Alfred’s father goes to his chapter meeting, and Alfred and company take a trip one town over. This all happens during the coup, and then it’s essentially over.
Harwood’s big play becoming a morning disaster, but with some No-Name League casualties along the way, leaves his plan as a big dud; Alfred’s father, meanwhile, with his explosive cake as a contingency plan, is far more potent than a military invasion. It makes the build-up through the back half of Pennyworth all the more trivial, if rescuing the Queen is the chess move to close up the coup.
The cake bomb at the end levels the playing field, wiping out most, if not all, of the major political players. But with the Queen’s call putting an end to the coup earlier, it’s hard not to feel her survival is essentially all that’s needed for the show’s political angle to stay the same. The Raven Society needs the Queen in order to properly run the board, and so with her survival, the bomb is somewhat a failure.
The closure it brings to Alfred and his father is fast-moving, not leaving them much time to connect with each other as needed during such a tense moment. Some more scenes over the season where their political leanings are more defined to each other is something that could have added that tension. But because they are on good terms for the majority of the season, the showdown is not as powerful.
Alfred’s father is too likeable, after the initial problems earlier during the season (like on Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 2, “The Landlord’s Daughter”). For him to become the final villain of Pennyworth comes after so much progress of his shell opening up that the move clashes with his character’s motives.
There are moments of levity, at least. The back and forth banter between Alfred and his mother, where she slowly reveals her husband’s ties to the Raven Society, has an air of wit in the way the conversation plays out; the budding romance between Martha and Thomas, as well, makes for a cutesy, entertaining series of moments as they suss out their feelings between each other in a lighter way.
It’s through scenes like these where Pennyworth finds its more endearing and memorable moments, through its cheeky writing and playing to character’s personalities. It’s also through its use of atmosphere and style where the show finds a lot of its charm, taking its sense of place and British slang and humor to a place of endearment.
Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 10, “Marianne Faithful,” finds its best moments through its characters and the great work being done to strengthen their relationships. It’s where the show shines most. The political angle of the show has been a struggle for some time, never quite taking off beyond having a villainous group to thwart.
There’s plenty of good on the show. It simply needs to focus a little more on what’s working.
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.
One thought on “Pennyworth Review: Marianne Faithful (Season 1 Episode 10)”
I love Alfie. He is so much like Michael Caine, it’s uncanny. He is like a younger, better version of him.
This was a great episode, because Alfie continues to find himself saving the queen! It is unfortunate that he had to shoot his father, but his dad was going to die anyway, and they essentially said their good-byes already.
Who knows what rewards from the queen yet lie in store for Alfred Pennyworth!
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