Miracle Workers: Dark Ages Review: Day In Court (Season 2 Episode 7)
Growing closer to someone is an exciting time. There’s getting to know their likes and dislikes, finding things to share, exploring new places, and letting that bond grow. For Prince Chauncley, bonding with his father King Cragnoor may be coming a decade or two late, but at least on Miracle Workers: Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 7, “Day In Court,” it’s happening for a small period of time.
It’s a shame that King Cragnoor doesn’t see the benefit to therapy, as he shows a marked improvement with his anger and murder habits. The armor as a metaphor for protection is a deep cut, but it’s acceptance that is the true breakthrough. Chauncley, too, accepts his father over the course of the episode, creating this nice little connection that’s never happened before.
But some things aren’t meant to last, unfortunately. Cragnoor does have a point about charging for an hour when it’s only fifty minutes of appointment time, though the punishment is a little severe.
One of the best gags is the bloody nose Chauncley causes his father from the exertion of even entertaining kindness. Questioning the law is clearly a touchy topic, and Chauncley giving up the small progress made between both father and son shows how softness isn’t a weakness, as Cragnoor sees it, but the ultimate form of leadership.
Chauncley is becoming the leader the peasants need, even if it’s only benefitting Al and her family at the moment (although he’s getting better at spreading the kindness, as evidenced with the music festival on the previous episode). Al is the gateway to helping everyone, in the long run, as she breaks the barrier Cragnoor has created that they aren’t worth saving.
Daniel Radcliffe does wonderful work on the episode, taking the twitchy Chauncley to the point where change feels possible with Cragnoor, and the genuine encouragement during their bonding time is one of the most endearing parts of the episode. His switch to helping Al once he realizes that bond can’t be sustained is a solid moment for him, as he tries to do right when caught between these two worlds.
ph: Stanislav Honzík/TBS.
The legal battle against the royal goat makes for a great little guy versus the government story, but packing the court with pro-goat jurors throws fairness out the window. Lord Vexler is tough competition, though. Even Ed is more aligned with Vexler, even when it’s his head on the line.
Ed’s acceptance that he will suffer a horrible fate is a great running joke, where every couple of episodes something bad happens and he is pretty okay with being executed. It’s like a shrug of the shoulders to him, almost a foregone conclusion that this is the way he’s likely to go. It’s a larger message of how peasants feel about their worth, but there’s a funny enthusiasm to the way Steve Buscemi plays it.
The gags and jokes are flying every which way on this episode, a major change from earlier during the season where the jokes could become a little too far and few between, or could run out of steam as they are stretched. But it feels as though the show has found itself over the past few episodes, and this episode in particular does wonders with its commentary and jokes about the judicial system.
Some favorites are the OJ “If I Did It” book (lovingly called “If I Ate It” here), learning that Ed’s first and middle name combined is Eddie Murphy, and the beautiful look that Ed and his new goat bride share from across the courtroom. Mikey’s breakdown on the stand is a strong contender, as well, Jon Bass nailing it.
Al and Chauncley are growing closer, too, which feels like where the entire season has been heading. His kindness is definitely not going unnoticed, and they are always great fun to watch together. They may be incredibly different people, but his kindness and need to make Al happy, and Al’s way of getting Chauncley to stand up for himself, have them both pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves.
Luckily, Miracle Workers: Dark Ages Season 2 Episode 7, “Day In Court,” is also becoming the best version of itself. There’s an increasing amount of stuff to fall in love with on the show, and it’s reaching its full potential now. If this level of creativity and fun can be kept up, the season can have an incredibly strong closing.
What did you think of this episode of Miracle Workers: Dark Ages? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Miracle Workers: Dark Ages airs Tuesdays at 10:30/9:30c on TBS.
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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.