A Discovery of Witches Review: Episode #2.4 (Season 2 Episode 4)
A Discovery of Witches Season 2 Episode 4, “Episode #2.4,” is down-right shocking.
No, not because of the blood rage deaths and the hot hook up (though those are indeed heart pounding). It is shocking that it is the best episode of the season and neither Matthew or Diana are in it at all!
A Discovery of Witches Season 2 struggles to balance providing a richly detailed picture of history, an expedient but effective exposition for new characters and advance the plot of a large cast of people when it is in 1590s London.
That is indeed a lot of heavy and unwieldy shaped things to balance. And, the show has absolutely nailed the visual storytelling.
On this episode the balance is easier. Marcus is the focus and he absolutely carries the story.
His charm and propensity towards honesty is so different from Matthew. Matthew has this need to dominate and control. He holds life with a closed fist. Marcus, on the other hand, is open palmed and welcomes the different things the world has to offer.
Marcus’s connection with Phoebe is flirty, sincere, and a pleasure to watch.
Phoebe is a really fun and fascinating character. She is friendly but not warm. She is honest and has clear boundaries. She drinks gin in a wine glass.
Honestly, I love everything about her.
Welcome, Phoebe. Surely, Marcus’s growing feelings for you will lead to serious complications. Sorry about that, but we’re so glad you’re here.
Marcus so easily just comes out with it about his vampirism. It is a huge secret, but Marcus never gives the impression of angst. He isn’t crumbling under the weight of the secret.
As a result, the audience is able to experience this new romance in a very different way than we experience Matthew and Diana’s.
Matthew and Diana are always intense. Always.
But, that doesn’t mean all vampires are that way! A diverse representation of inter-species relationships helps to make the world-building more rich.
Now that we know Matthew has blood rage and Marcus does not, it makes that difference in how they approach relationships even more important.
Marcus can take the Kings of Lazarus in a new direction that Matthew could never be capable of.
That is fascinating and promising.
Ysabeau’s story is the funniest and most striking on the episode.
Her stone-faced shade to Gerbert is delectable. It’s also an example of what can be done in the 1590s setting: provide exposition through indirect information provided in dialogue.
The stories are so nicely and sensibly interwoven. Domineco fits in with Marcus, Phoebe and Ysabeau. Aunt Emily and Aunt Sarah are involved too as they continue to hid out at the Du Clermont residence.
It still isn’t clear why Sarah is so afraid of Emil dabbling with high magic. And that lack of clarity is a good thing. It captures our curiosity and makes us try to pull at threads that connect Diana in the past to what happened in the present’s past.
Could Rebecca’s death have something to do with the Diana that is currently in the past?
The mysteries are growing in size and are converging with each other. Diana and Matthew’s mission to find the Book of Life faces extra pressure because of the future.
Based on the preview of the next episode, the honeymoon phase is more than over. Trouble in the Roydon marriage is just what is needed to propel Diana to find and hone her powers.
I’ve got my popcorn ready. Let’s do this.
Stray Spells
- Vampire or not, how can anyone keep their fridge that clean?
- Edward Bluemel as Marcus Whitmore is a sneaky hunk. I think it’s in his gait and how he sits. I stand by my assessment that Kit has Marcus energy.
- The music on the episode is phenomenal. The Season 2 score is exceptional.
- Did Phoebe just have that sexy slip on under her outfit? Is that a thing?
- If Sarah wasn’t so judgmental all the dang time she would gather a lot more of our sympathy and understanding.
- The lingering mystery of who the blood raged vampire is and why they want the miniatures breathes new life into the season.
- He’s super shady, but dang, Domineco is hot!
- Jack must have been a super loyal son to Diana and Matthew. Could he have been turned into a vampire at some point and exist in the future too? So many possibilities!!
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 Shudder, AMC+ and Sundance NOW.
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Janelle Ureta
Janelle Ureta is equal parts Veronica Mars, Raven Reyes, and Rebecca Bunch, but she aspires to add some Tammy Taylor to the mix. An attorney turned teacher, Janelle believes in the power of a well-told story. She is currently exploring how to tell short stories, 140 characters or less, on twitter. She loves to talk about TV, and right now she can't shut up about Timeless, Dear White People, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, or Younger.