A Discovery of Witches Review: Episode #2.2 (Season 2 Episode 2)

Even though Matthew risks his neck by snapping one, A Discovery of Witches Season 2 Episode 2, “Episode #2.2,” belongs to Diana. 

It isn’t that Diana comes into her own on the episode, although arguably she does. The episode belongs to Diana because she finally finds where she belongs as a witch. 

Diana has always been isolated and rather alone, although not lonely. Her binding prevented her from accessing her magic, but that’s not the only thing that held Diana back from coven-life. 

Indeed, Diana is the type of witch who has trouble following spells because she is meant to create her own way.

She isn’t rebellious, not really.  Her unique nature isn’t borne out of defiance. But, she’s been misunderstood and therefore isolated in the past because of her differences. 

As we see when she uses her wanton magic to turn the embroidered snake into a real live slithering one, her power often frightens her. Diana is often without a guide as to what the heck is going on. 

That changed on the sophomore episode of Season 2. 

Diana is a weaver!

Rather than further isolate her because it is yet another very rare quality she possesses, this trait brings the 1590 London coven closer to her. They literally circle around her and welcome her into their community. 

The spells Diana is weaving so far seem to be all about manipulating life. The show hints that she may be able to bring back the dead. 

This is a fascinating development considering what vampires are. The extent of the connection between Diana, Matthew, and The Book of Life remains to be seen. This episode elevates our expectations for just how epic the connection will be. 

Unfortunately, much of the dialogue fails to match the growing intensity and intrigue of Diana’s magic. 

Especially in the scenes with the head vampire in charge, the overly expository lines flatten the drama. It feels like we see something happen and we are immediately told what happened, too. 

Even the gorgeously set and costumed lunch between Mary Sidney and Diana is too on-the-nose. Rather than explicitly profess their friendship to each other, a more subtle gesture of loyalty would have matched the exquisite visuals. 

Interestingly, the characters have still not talked about the implications of being in the past and impacting the future. 

Matthew tells Kit that a man should not know his own fate. But, that is a skimpy coverage of a topic that has to be at least in the back of their minds. 

Kit continues to bring the smolder and it is fantastic. He wears the late 16th century garb like a glove. Matthew Goode, on the other had, is handsome as always, but also out of place in the layered fashions. 

It works well to highlight how he has just traveled from lifetimes of suit-wearing. In becoming Mathew Roydon, he may evolve back to looking like he really belongs in those clothes. 

The Weaver and The Wehr are mutually protective but their lack of communication is bordeline boring. 

Matthew just needs to get over the idea that protecting Diana means controlling her or caging her. When he does, they can actually have a partnership. 

A dancing scene in which Diana is able to have fun with her magic would be good medicine for the star-crossed couple. 

Satu’s scenes, though brief, are powerful on the episode. 

It can be easy to forget that there are more chess pieces in play than just Diana and Matthew. Learning that Satu is also a witch without an education or a coven helps to connect her to Diana and garner empathy from us. 

Stray Spells

• It has been far too long since we have seen Marcus. 
• Hatching the baby chick is one way to get the contents out! The cutest spell yet. 
• Matthew having fun with his friends is actually so endearing. He is allowed to rabble-rouse. Diana would fit right in at the poker table.
• How to you teach a weaver witch?
•  The dressing scenes continue to be stand-out moments of characterization. 

 

What did you think of this episode of A Discovery of Witches? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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A Discovery of Witches airs Saturdays on Sundance Now, Shudder and AMC+.

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