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If I could sum this episode up in one word, it would be...frustrating! Because, while the episode contained festivities and sexy encounters galore to honor its title, almost every single character faced terrible consequences, while others simply did terrible things. Let's review and discuss!
It was Freya's 30th birthday, but not Freddie's because her many rebirths have caused their birthdays to be out of sync (interesting factoid!). However, Joanna was determined as ever to make the best of the situation and celebrate her beloved twins together for the first time in many years. Frederick, though, had other matters on his mind besides attending Freya's super-awkward, of-course-it's-at-the-Bent-Elbow fete. That's because Freddie has been busy experimenting on "random" people with Tarkoff, trying to find a human host for the dreaded Grandfather. And while Tarkoff's dismissive attitude towards carnage seemed to guarantee that this search for a host could be endless, and endlessly disturbing, Freddie could little suspect what horrific twist lay in store for him at the end of the episode. To make matters worse (or, you know, better, if you're like me and you love James Marsters whether or not he's evil), Tarkoff is extremely hard to kill, taking away Frederick's ability to end his leftover Asgardian strife quite that easily.
Meanwhile, Eva's spell on Killian was wearing off, mainly due to his indestructible love for Freya (aww!), as Eva revealed to her "abuela." I actually started to feel a tiny bit bad for Eva in this episode because instead of only seeming creepily conniving, she's starting to appear very sad and desperate. Eva's story is also intriguing...why will having Killian's child restore her life to her? It was greatly unsettling to see Eva's grandmother revealed to be her own child. Eva's character may be getting more complex and interesting, but I can't wait to see her hold on Killian broken, hopefully soon.
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After a sultry lovemaking sequence that was juxtaposed with several encounters in the lives of our other characters (more on their love lives to follow), Killian promised Freya that he'd go home and talk to Eva, gaining them a clean slate so that he and Freya could reunite, starting with a trip somewhere. When does "meet me at midnight" ever pan out well for lovers in fiction? This was no exception, since Killian showed up way past midnight to inform Freya he couldn't leave Eva, once again entrapped. Freya and Killian can't go on like this much longer, for their own sanity or the fragile emotions of Frillian fans!
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side-note: what an adorable photo!This was such a frustrating episode that even my guilty pleasure 'ship "Dashing" brought annoyances aplenty. Obviously, Dash's evil deeds and lies were bound to catch up with him and destroy this fledgling romance. But events unfolded in an even more disappointing manner than I'd expected, starting with Ingrid showing up on Dash's doorstep and finding out that he'd bedded some random woman the night before. Seriously, Dash? After he sent Ingrid a bazillion unanswered calls and texts, Dash showed up at Freya's party to apologize and profess his deep feelings for her. Since she doesn't know the depths of his treachery of late, I understand Ingrid's being willing to give Dash a chance. But jumping right into a romp with him (admittedly fire-lit and enticing) seemed a little fast, and only destined to end in trouble. Sure enough, soon after their blissful interlude ended, Ingrid looked on Dash's computer and saw all the incriminating evidence against him for his recent couple of murders and earlier attack on Killian, right on the screen. Because he just leaves that up on his computer all the time! That was a bit of a hilariously cheesetastic stretch. And of course, after seeing that, Ingrid dumped Dash and went storming out, amidst his string of really bad excuses and romantic pleadings. What a mess.
Wendy's adorable boyfriend Tommy came back to town and saw her change from cat to lady, causing major problems due to the "code" forbidding mortals from learning about the existence of witches. Poor Wendy doesn't want to let Tommy go, but Joanna reminded her of the danger to him if they don't spell away his memories of her. However, after getting over his initial shock and being amazed by Wendy's awesome powers, Tommy stuck to his guns about dating her despite everything. This reminded me of how, earlier in the season, Tommy said he wouldn't let Wendy's bad luck keep them apart, and reconfirms what a sweetheart he is. I might have liked Wendy with her ex last week, but Tommy is, as she noted, "one of the good ones."
Tarkoff preceded a deep and surprisingly poignant reminiscent conversation with Joanna by ordering Freddie to use Caroline as a host for Grandfather. This was definitely foreshadowed by Tarkoff's indication at the beginning of the episode that the host needed to be someone Frederick trusted. I wish Frederick could have thought of some other solution or found a way to stand up to Tarkoff and Grandfather, because seeing him enact the ceremony on lovestruck Caroline was brutal. We also learned from this episode that Freddie and Killian have a past, including considerable enmity, in Asgard. It should be fascinating to learn more about what that entailed.
What did you think of this episode? What do you hope happens with all of these dark and crazy storylines as we delve further into Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments! And don't forget to catch an all new Witches of East End, next Sunday at 9/8c on Lifetime.
I got that Skeleton Key feels about learning the truth Eva, who's been using a lot of anti-aging cream, and her "abuela". The creep factor when up two notches this week. lol
ReplyDeleteHaha, so true!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm honest, this episode was okay in comparison to the last one. The flow was a little bit stiffed here. I really hate Tarkov, no offense to the actor. He's so slimey! There seems to be a lot of grey area here. We saw Eva, Dash and Frederick being conflicted. Does that mean that they're both bad witch/warlock? I do believe they were just doing these bad things in order to survive.
ReplyDeleteNext possible solution to the storylines:
1. Joanna breaks Frederick's bond to his grandfather due to her great love. All we see is that Frederick is a misunderstood little boy who desperately covets his mother's love. At least that's the way I feel. Poor Caroline!
2. Is it also possible that Tarkov won't go through with his actions because of his love for Joanna? I do know if Joanna discovers it, Tarkov won't be safe. There's no greater fury than a mother protecting her cubs.
3. As for Dash, I thought it was going a little too fast. They've just barely started dating (wasn't it??) and they are already in bed together. It was sweet for a few seconds until Dash's dark secrets came back haunting him and ultimately her. If Ingrid caves in or something like that and tries to save Dash, there will be a big falling out between the sisters when Freya discovers that Dash accidentally pushed Killian.
4.Where's the story about Killian discovering that he's been under a spell? We know that Eva just made a stronger potion, but eh, is that just it? No struggling or fighting back? At least his love for Freya is breaking through but as we saw, Killian just came back to the Bent Elbow unfazed. Freya should have knew that something was up. His eyes was totally different than when he was flirting with her and being lovestruck. What did Eva do? We saw Killian putting down the drink.
5. Eva being her abuela's mother was creepy, yes. I think Eva needs to pregnant in order to draw the life-force from the baby to stay young or alive. I think that although Freya doesn't realize now, she will realize something is wrong in the next episode and come to find Eva.
6. Big points for Tommy for sticking around. I think it won't be long before Joanna discovers it. Maybe can they make a spell to shield him from the others. That way he can stay with Wendy.
Off note, I thought that Joanna was gonna end up in bed with Tarkov since almost everyone was in bed with their partners. Go Frillian!
I was wondering if some of my suggestions are the same as yours, Virginia?
Hi Rama, thanks for the great comments! I agree with you about the overall quality of the episode. Loving the show as always, but found this to be a weaker installment. I definitely see Tarkoff's affection for Joanna as possibly a redeeming virtue. We do have quite a few characters doing awful things because they feel they don't have a choice, including Freddie. It's a major theme this season. Dash has no such excuse, and I found his scenes with Ingrid rushed and a little disappointing in this episode. Interesting idea for a solution to Wendy and Tommy's problem - it would be nice for them to be able to work it out. And absolutely, go Frillian! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely like the theory about Freya becoming pregnant. Either way, a confrontation between Freya and Eva does seem to be imminent. That's going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteNo prob, it's totally readable. Thanks for the comments! I agree that the actors are doing a wonderful job of playing these roles as the storylines get ever darker and more twisted.
ReplyDeleteAnd if both are dead, send Killian this way please. Lol.
ReplyDeleteLOL! :)
ReplyDeleteAs always you are spot on! I really enjoyed the review! I think though all this 'dark Dash' has made the character much more interesting, by a mile than Season 1! I mean he transformed from the flat character to a multi-dimentional one! So yeah, I agree Dash is a jerk AND a moron so far, let alone murderous and manipulative (and not even good at it!) but it definitely jolts up the story!! Plus OMG you're right! Why would he leave that incriminating footage and article on his laptop? I mean if I (thought I) murdered somebody, then killed another person to cover it up, than killed another to cover that one up, I would put passwords on every research I do lol.
ReplyDeleteRight? Come on, Dash. Leaving that stuff right on his computer screen was like something that would have happened on the original Melrose Place...and I say it with love. I have enjoyed seeing his character go dark and get more complex this season, though I want him to keep his good side too. I hope the writers will keep showing his inner conflict and not make him go totally evil. Thanks for the kind words as well!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome :) I laughed again at Melrose place! And Yes, I love it too. Gosh. We so have identical guilty pleasures.
ReplyDeleteWorst episode of the season, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteFirst, of course the party is at the Bent Elbow. All the action goes down either in Beauchamp manor, the East End Public Library or the bar. Why? Lifetime's limited budget probably doesn't allow for many sets which sucks. It's a catch-22 that also cheapens the show.
Ingrid jumps into bed not only with her sister's ex-fiance who Freya explicitly told her she was not okay with her dating, but someone whom she *knows* to have meaningless one night stands with random women while courting her. WTF? Ingrid's an even bigger hoochie than alleged "sexpot" Freya.
Don't even get me started on the Freya sex scene. One minute she's pining over Killian in her backyard and the next she's managed to make her dreams materialize in the garden? Where did all those lit candles and mattress (or was it a giant white sheet) come from? I'm sure that elaborate set up would have taken time and also killed the mood. Talk about absurd.
I have not nor ever will enjoy episodes where sex and romance are at the forefront. I tune in solely for the supernatural element and family drama, as I'm sure is the case with the majority of the audience. The sooner the writers and Lifetime figure that out, the better.
Maybe his guilt made Dash compile all the incriminating evidence in hopes he would get caught?
ReplyDeleteNah! Even I don't buy that BS. It's just lazy screen writing.
In his defense for killing a couple of people, Dash noted he has also been able to heal hundreds of patients since he learned of his powers. I thought it was already established that every time one interferes with fate to save a patient from death's grasp, there were immutable consequences?
ReplyDeleteI'm finding the Killian/Eva story to be quite stagnant. We're more than half way through the season and Killian has made very little progress since each episode seems to be some kind of redundant rehash of the one before.
ReplyDeleteKillian did put the drink down but maybe we're supposed to believe Eva convinced him to drink it off screen? Yet another problem I consistently have with this show--much of the action that should be taking place on camera either happens off screen or is never even referenced.
Yeah, I was actually trying to think if I missed something there. The repetitive nature of the storyline that you noted seems to be getting the show into the habit of omitting things like that because we can just assume that they happened. I'm ready for this Eva/Killian stuff to get resolved very soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, lol! :)
ReplyDeleteI can agree that the limited locations are a bit silly, though I also find it kind of cute. As for the Frillian scene, while I enjoyed it, it was definitely cheesetastic. Not only totally out in the open right outside a party, but also with all those random amenities popping up...unless Freya and Killian spelled them or something. This was kind of a wacky episode.
ReplyDelete