Let the Right One In Season 1 Episode 10 Review: What’s Done in the Dark
Let the Right One In Season 1 Episode 10, “What’s Done in the Dark,” delivers an exhilarating conclusion full of suspense and keeps the audience longing for more.
We pick up right where we left off on “Monster,” with Claire at Mark and Eleanor’s door. It doesn’t take her long to coerce them into going back to the manor with her, and from there, it’s all downhill.
Claire spends the entirety of the episode manipulating Mark and Eleanor into believing that she genuinely wants to help. She plays dumb around them, coming off as someone who cares, but her ulterior motives are for Mark to get rid of Naomi and use Eleanor as her new test subject.
Naomi is closing in on Claire and Mark, meaning it won’t be long until she learns the truth. To avoid that, Mark is given an ultimatum; he can either replace Matthew and kill Naomi or risk never finding a cure for Eleanor.
And just as we’ve seen demonstrated all season, Mark will do whatever it takes to keep his daughter safe and alive. Thankfully, though, Naomi is the one person he cares for next to Eleanor, which leads him to have second thoughts at the last moment.
The bond that has grown exceedingly throughout the season between Mark and Naomi is her only saving grace. Until she decides to follow Mark back to Claire’s, that is.
Naomi’s response as a detective and woman who just found her ex’s killer is justifiable, but I wish she had called her partner beforehand. If she had, she could have avoided having her skull bashed in by Peter.
And at the same time, Peter can’t be entirely blamed. His situation is sorrowful and rough. Yes, he attacks Naomi, which is why Eleanor must turn her. But from the moment he was turned he’s been manipulated into doing the bidding of others. Peter hasn’t had a moment to live his life or make his own decisions since his transition.
His love for his family will always overcome his reservations towards the experimentations, but deep down, Peter’s distraught. It’s clear he wants no part in harming others, but he’s pressured into following orders since the actions are done in his favor.
If it were up to him, he’d have no part in harming others for his preservation, but with his father, Matthew, and Claire pushing their opinions on him, he never had a chance at his own life.
“What’s Done in the Dark” is subdued in terms of action versus previous episodes, but there’s a ton of world-building and connections that help provide a satisfying conclusion.
It doesn’t take Peter and Eleanor long to realize that they met ten years prior at the stargazer’s camp.
From their brief introduction and sharing memories of that night, they conclude that the vampire who infected them was at the camp posing as a volunteer. If only their connection were strong enough to prevent Peter from helping manipulate Eleanor.
“What’s Done in the Dark” is an impeccable episode that utilizes most of the elements at its disposal well. The cliffhanger alone fuels the desire for answers from a second season and changes the entire dynamic.
Like the majority of the season, “What’s Done in the Dark” also has impeccable timing and pacing, providing moments of real depth for the characters.
Naomi as a vampire is precisely the type of twist the series needs to push the plot further. Hopefully, it’s enough of a change to get at least two more season renewals to flesh the story out and give a proper ending.
I love the vulnerability and raw emotion we see in Mark, especially in the graveyard scene. Having Mark speak on his sins and his ways to reprimand himself with Zeke and Elizabeth’s grave adds an emotional depth that almost feels like we’re saying goodbye in the moment.
It’s a beautiful and well-executed way to show the audience that despite his actions, his faith is still alive and eating at him daily. What makes this sequence of events more enjoyable is how relatable it is.
Let the Right One In Season 1 has been a wild ride full of laughs, family bonding, suspense, murder, and mystery. I hope that Showtime sees the potential in this series and renews it for a second season.
Stray Thoughts:
- I wish that Isaiah and Zeke had been more interwoven within the episode. Especially Zeke. We get one minute moment shared between him and Mark! It’s nowhere near enough screen time.
- If the series is renewed for Season 2, Zeke needs to be incorporated more. I loved the level of attention he received in the season’s first half and wished it had been the same in the back half.
- I hope we see a time jump between Season 1 and Season 2. It would be quite the twist to begin the next season six months in the future, with them all working to find a cure.
What did you think of this episode of Let the Right One In? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Let the Right One In Season 1 is now available to stream.
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Cade Taylor
Cade Taylor is a television and film critic living in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV. His love for television developed at a young age, with a concentration on queer stories, sitcoms, teen dramas, and science fiction thrillers. In addition, he works full-time as a news producer, telling the stories of Missourians and helming "Produced in the Bi-State," a segment spotlighting actors, musicians, and entertainers from the St. Louis area. He can be reached by email at cade@telltaletv.com.
One thought on “Let the Right One In Season 1 Episode 10 Review: What’s Done in the Dark”
An underrated gem. Bring on Season 2
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