A Discovery of Witches Review: Episode #2.8 (Season 2 Episode 8)
Marcus gazes languidly and longingly at Phoebe, and I about lose my dang mind!
On A Discovery of Witches Season 2 Episode 8, “Episode #2.8,” Marcus and Phoebe take their flirtation to a whole new level, and it is stunning.
Sure, Diana and Matthew are mated and bound together by the fate of all creature-kind. But, can they turn a voice-over description of vampire talents into a super hot love scene?
I think not!
This couple is special. Clearly, they are the end game.
But, beyond that, they take us back to the basics in a way that makes the entire series feel fresh and fun again.
The weight of the Book of Life saga is balanced by the giddy joy of new love.
It makes sense that Marcus would be so taken by a history nerd. The characters are well-drawn and have a nice balance of whimsy, practicality and fire.
Edward Bluemel’s pitch-perfect blend of boyishness and sexiness greatly enhances our connection to Marcus and whatever it is he desires.
MARCUS: It beats slower, and it loves longer.
It’s not only the shippy moments that get a boost from Bluemel’s performance.
Marcus’s searing comments to his uncle carry more heat because of the generally level-headed and kind person they come from.
Vengeance is not his bag. So, ouch, that hurts!
It’s fascinating that Baldwin is so insecure that his nephew’s retorts push him to betray his entire family.
The plots need to interlock in this way, though. Without the connection, all the disparate stories start to lose their meaning, and we’re more adrift.
We can’t see the threads yet, but it is clear that all the witches’ conflicts are tied together. The new witch baby, Emily and Sarah’s attempts to reach Rebecca using high magic, and Diana’s dreams of the Tree of Life are certainly connected.
On the Netflix show The Haunting of Bly Manor, Jamie explains to her lover, “every living thing grows out of every dying thing.”
She saying death isn’t finite; in some ways, it is living too. This concept of the infinite and ever interlocking nature of the life and death of all creatures wisps over the entire season.
My isn’t life awful and wonderful.
This episode in particular ruminates on the theme, culminating in the death tree dream that Diana has.
The music on the episode and, of course, the cinematography help to ensure that we don’t think the baby being born is some magical, happy occasion.
Instead, it is laced in a foreboding tone. The only reprieve is the aforementioned romance between Marcus and Phoebe.
We go into the final episodes with a rush of fear and tension. It is a really good place to be.
The past continues to be clunky and overwrought. At this point, it seems like we’ll just have to take the good from it, which is still darn incredible because of the historical gems we get.
Matthew is still stuck in Twilight-level possessive mode and he needs to get a grip.
Maybe Rebecca’s reveal will be just the thing to put the vampire in his place.
Stray Spells
- Margaret’s blood singing is a super cool detail. Could she be a weaver?
- Phoebe being super playful with Marcus and his vampirism is A+ romance content.
- Emily and Sarah having sweet moments together is a nice change from the constant nagging.
- The biblical allusions, including the tree and the snakes, are really fun.
- Domenico can get it. Come on over to the winning team, sir. Bring Satu with you.
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.