The Nevers Review: Hanged (Season 1 Episode 5)
The Nevers Season 1 Episode 5, “Hanged,” leaves us feeling like we’re missing something. After the events of The Nevers Season 1 Episode 4, “Undertaking,” it feels like we jumped over a lot of important information and the audience isn’t playing with a full deck.
After a while, the episode makes it clear that it’s been a month since Amalia received the mysterious message, but it immediately launches the audience into their plan without knowing what’s at stake.
The Nevers has been withholding information for a while, and while this would have been an okay time jump, it doesn’t work for the simple fact that we don’t know enough about what’s going on. There’s being mysterious and then there is deliberately withholding, and right now it feels like The Nevers is intent on just withholding information for the sake of it.
It’s not making the story enjoyable for the audience, and it’s definitely not helping the audience’s connection to the main characters.
Not revealing some of what’s at stake makes Penance’s impassioned speech feel much less important. As much as it was a big moment for Penance, we knew what was at stake with Maladie’s hanging, we had no idea what Amalia was planning. Given that we are more interested in Amy Manson’s performance, of course, we’re going to root for more of the orphans to go with Penance.
After all, it should be clear that Maladie’s hanging is the bigger event of the episode. Yet, it’s buried underneath the mountain of things that the audience has to unearth. While we get the riot and chaos from the public execution, it all feels like a payoff just because they could
Manson’s performance as Maladie has been amazing. She’s a worthy adversary that knows much more than the other characters give her credit for. I’m glad she is still out there and still able to cause some chaos, but that revelation is not enough to justify the slow pacing of this episode.
On all fronts, “Hanged,” just seems to exist. There are points where it seems like the episode wants to try to make some commentary about social issues. Harriet even makes a point of saying that they are killing Maladie because she’s Touched, but even that falls flat. It doesn’t go anywhere at all and missed an opportunity to dig into that motivation.
Perhaps the only thing that might be of consequence is what’s going on with Lavinia. Exposure to the ship, orb, or whatever she’s experimenting with seems to be affecting her in an adverse way. Her motivations are, much like Amalia’s, shrouded in secrecy. It’s not necessary that she reveal her entire evil plan to us, but maybe a little glimpse at her motivations.
They do mention a cure, but I have a hard time believing that is really what’s at the heart of the issue here.
In the end, “Hanged” has amazing production talent going for it and some amazing performances, but as an overall episode, it doesn’t serve the series much. There are great moments that transport the audience to the late 19th century, but there’s nothing to grab onto.
Stray Thoughts:
- My heart swells a little bit each time Penance says the word “prototype.”
- Is anyone else kind of amazed that Augie hasn’t used his power to peep into Penance’s window? That may be the best scene of the episode.
- The lobotomized Touched are going to rise up once they all realize they have powers?
- One month later and they’re speculating that Amalia killed Lucy? Really? This seems like something that should have been put to bed in the past month.
- I probably shouldn’t be surprised that Amalia and Horatio have a relationship or arrangement but that seemed to come out of nowhere.
- Actually, adding to the list of things that we don’t know, who the heck is Sara, and what does she have against Amalia? These are the questions that would have made this episode more compelling.
What did you think of this episode of The Nevers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Nevers airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO and HBO Max.
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Lauren Busser
Lauren Busser is an Associate Editor at Tell-Tale TV. She is a writer of fiction and nonfiction whose work has appeared in Bitch Media, Popshot Quarterly, Brain Mill Press Voices, and The Hartford Courant.
One thought on “The Nevers Review: Hanged (Season 1 Episode 5)”
Sara (orf Sarah) is the name True called Malady in an earlier episode
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