They may have beaten Pasiphae and her army back from its city walls, but Atlantis is still weak. Without any allies it’s pretty much defenceless against further attacks, and with Ariadne’s coronation approaching the situation must be remedied quickly. Enter Telemon, played by the Viking’s Rollo, who has a tempting offer for the Queen to consider. Meanwhile, Jason is battling it out in the Coronation Games, hoping that if he wins the city’s inhabitants will take it as a sign that their fortunes are on the up.
Writer Richard McBrien also penned The Rules of Engagement last year, and this is more or less the same kind of episode. The combatants battle it out over a number of rounds in the amphitheatre, while someone other than Jason is looking to marry Ariadne at court. There is however a marked improvement over last year’s offering I feel.
Firstly the fight sequences are very well choreographed, with a variety of weapons and armour used in lieu of a single knife. Jack Donnelly wasn’t kidding when he said that he’s spent a serious amount of time training for this season. He does almost all his own stunts in the show which helps a great deal in action scenes like this. It’s fast paced, dynamic and shows him off at his best. Secondly, Clive Standen’s Telemon brings a huge amount of charismatic ambitiousness to the tale. He is intriguing from the off and continues to engage you with both his character and performance throughout.
All in all, this is rather a good episode. It’s complex and well-paced, not a flippant joke in sight, just an entertaining drama that leaves you wanting to see more when the credits start rolling. If the rest of the season continues like this then I will be quite happy.
Telemon airs on Saturday 29th November at 8.15pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK, and at 9pm on BBC America. Below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.
“I pray with all my heart that you will triumph”
“It’s not a triangle Pythagoras, it doesn’t have to add up”
“Don’t I know you?”
“I knew your father, we competed together many times”
“What do you mean ‘apparently’?”
“As long as Pasiphae lives, every enemy in Atlantis has hope”
“This was the making of me”
“I wish to do everything in my power to make you happy, if you would give me the chance”
“Is she not the most beautiful woman you have ever seen?”
“We can’t be out there with him, our only hope it to keep training”
Trailer Teaser
“Are you sure you can trust this man?”