Mayfair Witches Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Curiouser and Curiouser
Thanks to a gathering for Deirdre’s funeral, Carlotta’s intentions are revealed to Rowan on Mayfair Witches Season 1 Episode 4, “Curiouser and Curiouser.”
Rowan and Ciprien are still working closely alongside one another to figure out the truth, and Carlotta is working hard to ensure Rowan stays away from Lasher. Meanwhile, Cortland is doing everything he can to help push her toward Lasher.
Learning more intently about the Mayfair lineage is exciting, and the episode hits the nail on the head in that avenue. Attending Deirdre’s funeral processions at Carlotta’s is the perfect opportunity for Rowan to learn the particulars about the Mayfair’s.
It also gives her insight into why nobody from her family ever sought her out — Carlotta ensured everyone thought she had died. She even goes as far as to carve Rowan’s name into a headstone, something she discovers while paying respects.
That one small interaction snowballs, leading to an explosive ending. With that said, “Curiouser and Curiouser” is a somewhat tame episode that provides just enough further background information to keep it from being dull.
Slow build-ups in a series can be a hit or a miss, and there’s been no issue until this point in the season.
Mayfair Witches has a running season of eight episodes, so we’re halfway through Season 1, and it feels as if we’ve yet to get anywhere. I understand that the necessary world-building must be done and that we can’t skip past certain aspects to stay somewhat true to the books.
Nonetheless, in the first four episodes, Rowan has made little progress in exploring her talents. We also still know the bare minimum about Lasher and how he came to be part of the Mayfair line.
The political drama and in-fighting between the two sides of the family have not been shied away from, but this is our first interaction of Rowan being directly thrown in the mix. It’s a decision I feel should’ve been sped up and explored on “Second Line.”
Besides confirming the lengths Carlotta’s willing to go to keep Lasher locked away, nothing substantial or noteworthy has taken place.
Ending “Curiouser and Curiouser” with Rowan and Ciprien trapped in the First Street House with Lasher and Carlotta is frightening but exciting simultaneously. It’s precisely the type of action I’ve been craving from the series.
More emphasis on Lasher and the innate fear he strikes in people is needed. It says a lot about Lasher that Carlotta is fearful enough to keep Deirdre in a hypnosis state, sacrifice Delphine, and burn Rowan alive.
The episode is projecting the series into a hopefully more sinister territory that allows us to explore Lasher’s innate relationships with the lineage of Mayfair Witches.
While it feels slow, we’re at least provided with further in-depth information about the Mayfair’s. Tessa’s introduction in the episode is quick but a highlight, and there’s no doubt she’ll come into play again after being sneakily photographed from a distance.
Even without seeing the coroner snap photos of Tessa outside the funeral procession, it’s been apparent he’d come back in the picture since his first appearance.
Ciprien isn’t in the proper mental state to catch on, but in his meeting with the coroner, he hyper-focuses on Ciprien touching a “real witch.” He promptly attempts to invite him to some group that meets to discuss witches, and with his latest photography session, there’s no doubt he’s played a part in the deaths of the witches in the news.
Ciprien’s storyline continues to draw me in more than Rowan’s because it feels like we’re getting nowhere with her. After the events on “Curiouser and Curiouser,” I’m excited for him to dive deeper into the investigation into Deirdre’s death.
Clearly, someone with power and rank wiped the memories of the elevator. My suspicions lead me to believe it’s someone in the Talamasca or one of Cortland’s connections.
Stray Thoughts:
- The character profession for Rowan is also moving incredibly slowly. Throughout the episode, we only get one tiny glimpse of her working on mastering her abilities and nothing else.
- Carlotta’s actions are twisted but also warrant a certain level of respect. Within moments of finding Rowan with the key necklace, she decides to sacrifice herself to lock Lasher away forever. Being willing to kill yourself for a cause carries a particular dedication and must be respected.
- While I should probably be a bit more worried for Ciprien after Carlotta stabs him, it feels unlikely any actual harm will come to the character.
- With Rowan aware of her designee status now, I hope she confronts Carlotta on everything and forces her to spill her secrets about the family.
What did you think of this episode of Mayfair Witches? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Mayfair Witches airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
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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.