Episode #1.3

I suppose this episode plays to the strengths of the series the most: whether in the scheming and politics (which at this point do not yet feel hollow) or the dark, brooding, brutal development of the plot (at a fairly moderate pace). King's council Coop is absolutely delightful, and sir Stewart, Lorna, Delaney and the butler all have their moments. Delaney's sister's husband does a decent job acting, even if a lot of his dialogue is too awful to redeem.

The melodrama and ridiculousness of much that happens is of truly unforgivable proportions: Delaney's sister keeps pretending that she can act or is needed in the plot in any amount; the entire segment in the mother's room is stupid, boring, poorly-acted, continuity-lacking, ahistorical, disgusting etc; and while we're at it, it is in fact much of the dialogue that feels way too modern, and moreso completely stupid and pointless. If they cut 50% of it and instead just had Coop talk to people, especially sir Stewart (additionally making it at least remotely clear to the audience, what exactly is that conflict about India; and more broadly what is the state of the world, politics and plot-relevant legislation, or what the plans of the relevant parties are at this stage in the "plot") it would've been a much more enjoyable and watchable experience.

(321-word review) This episode was more focused on the preparation of one's pieces rather than the moving of them, thereby being a little "uneventful" in a sense, except for the ending, which was significant. While that may lessen the impact for some people, the appreciable entertainment was still there, as it always is with this show; very entertaining, and I love it.

Something that seemed to have as much focus and runtime duration was the expansion of information about James' mother, simultaneously adding more depth to his character. Not only that, the most emotion we've seen, besides the usual, of James was shown and revealed in his interactions with Winter, Lorna, and Thorne, or at least I thought so: and after hardly any screen time in the previous episode, Thorne and Zilpha are back in a more meaningful spotlight, which will likely continue, as their appearances in this episode seemed somewhat kick-off-y; I think we can all agree that he's the most reprehensible character in the show.

More importantly, for me, the characters are much the driver as opposed to the story: maybe as much the driver as the story (when it's getting the job done), especially in instances like this episode, where the components of the story aren't as exciting as the general excitement has reached. That, of course, elevates the episodes where the excitement is at a higher level even further, but it still accomplishes significant elevation with episodes like this one. The characters are undoubtedly a big part of the entertainment; my favorites are James, Stuart, Lorna, and Zilpha.

The second half of the episode was the unmistakable finer half, with the ending as the finest portion within it. The score, as well, is fantastic; while it's repetitive by the usage of those two same score cues, again and again, I don't care: I love it every time the score, in general, starts kicking in, but especially those specific cues.

Do you know how to tolerate pain ? No you don't, James Delaney Do. Believe me you will know how exactly a psychopath is with Tom Hardy in this show. You will have an unforgettable experience of madness and illusion. By watching this show you are not watching a good drama as much as you are watching a great madness, something like The Joker but with visual illusion to us and without words, all of this was showed in this episode perfectly and the credit to all of that in my opinion is for the incredible Kristoffer Nyholm.

I enjoyed every thing from the acting and the directing to the decor and the soundtrack, every thing was simply perfect, it's a show that deserves my time.

I only hope for it to keep it up and wouldn't mind at all for some more.

Winter wants to be. Wolf too. To know the magic of the Sokofka and like myths. An esoteric bond is forming between the wolf and the Winter virgin, but mysticism is fleeting when the dark arts are of such a taboo nature. Godders though, may keep the minutes of false piety but battles his inner diva from surfacing publicly. This is a bit of disconnect from Delaney's character, as he shows a bit of compassion to one man who has a taboo desire for him while being condescending and harsh to two women who desire him in their own taboo ways. The introduction of a new Irish mistress is an obnoxious menace that works but her manipulation by the Crown cannot be gone quick enough. She's a realistic fighter though, no overindulgence in modern feminism to show she can take any man on but willing to struggle even when the weight is too much. "They knew that she was not a wh*re and that she will fight back." Still, the web of intrigue with the Crown's hate towards the East India, East India's ire towards the Americans, the Americans rebellion of the crown, all three against each other, and Delaney Trading right in the middle, is making for a compelling telling.