Bitten, “Nine Circles,” was written by Wil Zmak and directed by Bradley Walsh whose other credits include The Listener, Helix and Beauty and the Beast. We learn more about how Aleister (Sean Rogerson) fits in with the rest of the witches, but it seems the storyline at the compound has come to an end. I have to say, I feel like this storyline has gone on a bit too long. I really, really liked Genelle Williams as Rachel in this episode. Rachel finally takes control, and I loved it! It was great to finally see Clay (Greyston Holt) and Elena (Laura Vandervoort) back together. Vandervoort is excellent in this episode.
The episode begins 30 years ago with Aleister’s birth. Ruth (Joelle Farrow) goes to Clara (Clara Pasieka) for help when she’s in labor. It’s clear that for some reason, Ruth didn’t realize she was having a boy. Clara reveals that Ruth is next in line for coven leader. Ruth tells Clara to get rid of the baby – at least she couldn’t do it herself – but then neither can Clara even though Ruth threatens to reveal to the coven that Clara has been selling spells. Clearly, at some point this happened anyway.
In the present, Aleister continues to prepare Savannah (Kiara Glasco) for the undoing. Savannah’s growing affection for Elena is distracting her, however. It’s ironic that Aleister uses the Lock/Key spell to control Savannah to make her believe the other witches are trying to control her. Aleister goes to Elena to tell her to calm down so she’s not a distraction to Savannah. He pins her with a spell, which naturally freaks her out. He tells her that they have so much in common – he’s the only male witch and she’s the only female werewolf. He’s still convinced she’s the strongest one, but she isn’t. He wonders what it would take to break her – and he uses a spell to get her to break herself – he makes her hallucinate her greatest fears.
The sequence of the hands brushing her as she walks down corridor is brilliantly shot and acted. It’s incredibly creepy, culminating in the hands grabbing her and pining her to the wall. No doubt this is all a flashback to her being molested by Olsen. Next, she hallucinates Clay and that ends up with flashes of Clay interspersed with Aleister and Elena slowly sinking into a pool of blood – or perhaps the bathtub from last season. It’s also incredibly creepy – because who isn’t afraid of drowning and Elena has always been afraid of losing herself in the violence of their existence. Having Diane (Natalie Brown) bloody and blaming Elena for Philip and her own death is a nice throw back to the episode earlier this season when Elena met with Diana. Elena is clearly still feeling guilty.
Paige (Tommie-Amber Pirie) and Clay are working together to find the compound. They end up bickering and not working together very well. Frankly, Paige’s attitude really does suck. Clay also reveals that he knows Nick and Paige are involved. Jeremy (Greg Bryk) and Nick (Steve Lund) are 200 miles away checking out another base.
Clay confides in Paige that he can’t stand the waiting. Paige tells him she learned how to be alone as a little girl. Clay said he thought he had to be alone once, but doesn’t think that any more. Paige tells Clay about a boy named Jeff that she knew when she was 13 and who left her ribbons for her hair. She is clearly wistful about this, but says she became a witch and left all that behind. Pirie is very good in the scene, but Holt is also terrific as he is simply very present in the scene as she tells him the story. Once again, I was struck by the very canine-like way of listening as well. Paige says she made a choice to be alone, but Clay tells her when “it” happens, you don’t get a choice. You never want to be alone again. Paige clarifies that she’s not alone – she has her mother and her coven. But she also vows to get Elena back for him.
Rachel is thrown into Logan’s (Michael Xavier) cage with him. She’s been injected with someone’s blood – she thinks it’s Elena’s and wants to know if she’s going to turn into a wolf. Logan tries to brush her off, but she’s pissed now, insisting on the truth. She tells him when they get out, she just wants him to walk away from her. I loved him McGyvering their way out of the cage with the wire in Rachel’s bra! I’m dying to know if Zmak came up with that…
Rachel has figured out how to disable the brands and tells Logan – and show him where Aleister’s quarters are. I just can’t say how much I love this new take charge Rachel! I also loved that Rachel gets Logan to tip over Aleister’s talisman without warning him that he’d get a shock. Logan tells her that he loves her, and she admits that his coming back has to count for something. They kiss, and then take off. They find a jeep and Logan wants to make sure it’s ok, but once again, Rachel puts her foot down and tell him to get in, he’s doing what she says! And he does!
Elena hallucinates a terrific fight scene and then finds Savannah who insists on showing her something before they leave. What she shows Elena is Elena in her own cell – it’s all been an hallucination. Savannah’s eyes go black as she accuses Elena of never having intended on getting her out. I liked the use of lighting to demark specific landscapes - the greenish tinge to the hallucinations versus the stark and sterile white of Aleister's office - and of course the ritual must be done in nature.
Elena hallucinates Clay again and he tries to get her to let it all go. But she doesn’t want to let it all go, she doesn’t want to fail Savannah. He asks her what she wants, and she tells him love. He tells her that love is all that matters, that it is the “key.” Clay tells her they’re not monsters, and Elena finishes, “because we can love.” He tells her she’s on her way back now and that she’s going to need the baseball bats she’s holding – because the first fight wasn’t an hallucination! She was simply afraid of being trapped in both her mind and the cell as well as being afraid of letting down Savannah. Clay’s final words are for her to get out and signal him.
Elena lights a gas tank on fire as Aleister starts the ritual of the undoing. He tells Savannah to gather the power, but Elena interrupts to demand he hand over Savannah just as the gas tank blows. Vandervoort is absolutely fierce in this scene.
Clay and Paige arrive. Clay says he’ll take care of the group of followers blocking their way and tells Paige to find Elena and Savannah. I found myself wondering why we were still seeing zombie-like followers after Logan and Rachel took out the talisman – they all woke up the last time it got tipped over.
Elena finds Paige but she says she can’t leave. Aleister shows up and admires Elena’s ability to fight. He can’t understand why she cares so much about Savanna. Elena notices Savannah scratching her arm – so hopefully, she’ll figure out the worm in Savannah. Aleister expresses regret at not getting to spend more time with Elena, but uses the mirror to try to kill her. Paige arrives just in the nick of time to use a spell and shield Elena with her own body to save her. This is a spectacular special effect. It’s interesting that you can see that Savannah has her right arm raised here. Is she trying to do good magic with her right hand to stop this? Aleister reveals that he’s Paige’s brother. Paige doesn’t believe him.
Elena tells Savannah that no one can control her. Aleister says, “I am the lock” to no effect and Elena says “I am your friend” while extending her hand. Savannah goes to Elena and Paige blasts him into the ritual circle. He uses one of his followers to fake his own death. Paige and Clay find Aleister impaled and his followers are starting to wake up and ask questions.
Savannah wants to stay friends with Elena, and she tells her she’d like that. Clay and Elena are finally reunited. He asks if they hurt her, and she tells him that she saw things and almost lost her mind. Elena sees the creepy rabbit doll, however. This should be their first clue that Aleister is not dead – surely, his spell should die with him, right? Naturally, after Elena decides they are all safe because there’s also no sign of Logan or Rachel, the last shot we see is of Aleister.
Overall, I thought this was a good episode. However, I think the storyline overall at the compound went on a bit too long. I know the witches are a part of the novels, but I’m still missing having the focus on the wolves. The other highlights of this episode include Vandervoort’s performance, the new and improved Rachel, the fight scenes and the creep factor. I’m still unsure what the nine circles refers to. Is it the nine circles of hell? Is that a reference to the hell Aleister puts Elena through? What did you think of the episode? Are you looking forward to more witches or would you like to see the story focus more on the wolves? Are you enjoying the new Rachel? Do you think Logan and Rachel will be able to strike out on their own? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
