A Kiss Goodnight. Retrospective: Witches of East End - "Electric Avenue"

Season 1, Episode 5

Airdate: Sunday, November 3, 2013 10/9c on Lifetime.

Rating: ★★★★★

“How much of what you say to me is bullshit, and how much of it is actually sincere?” – Joanna

Witches of East End hits a high mark with its latest episode, “Electric Avenue.” With a well-balanced blend of humor and heartbreak, the Lifetime series continues to build its mythology without losing the continuity of its storylines. Whereas most fledgling sci-fi/fantasy series lean on its supernatural elements—failing to develop its characters—Witches of East End has not lost sight of the key ingredient, family, that makes this series so great.

“Electric Avenue” wastes no time revealing Adam’s (Jason Winston George) fate after his collapse at the end of “A Few Good Talisman.” We gain insight through some flashbacks of Ingrid’s (Rachel Boston) memories just before Wendy (Mädchen Amick) comes to see her:

Wendy: “It’s Adam’s funeral today.”

Ingrid: “I know.”

Wendy: “And I thought, maybe, I could go with you. I know how much he meant to

you and how you’re probably blaming yourself.”

Ingrid: “It’s fine. I’m ok. I’m actually not going to the funeral.”

Wendy: “What do you mean? Why not?”

Ingrid: “I did love Adam, obviously, or he wouldn’t have died.”

THE GHOST OF YOU

This news hits hard, especially as a fan of Ingrid’s budding romance with Adam. It feels so unfulfilling to see their journey end after only five episodes. But then, just as I’m about to tear up, Ingrid reveals Adam (very much alive looking) standing in front of her soon after Wendy leaves the room. I know; what the hell, right? Ingrid’s sorrow led her to summon Adam’s spirit. And I don’t blame the girl; she finally falls in love and the man literally drops dead. Adam’s return is the first of many surprises in this episode, leading to one of the most poignant moments of “Electric Avenue.”

A FEW GOOD WITCHES

As Joanna’s (Julia Ormond) murder trial reaches its final stage, the charming Harrison Welles (Anthony Lempke) returns as her defense lawyer. And like most major plot points in Witches of East End, the trial doesn’t go quite as anyone expects, unless you’re Wendy. Apparently, the butterfly spell used on Mrs. Thatcher (Gillian Barber) has left the woman mentally unhinged; turning her testimony into a freak show, complete with hallucinations of creepy bugs. As Joanna strives to keep her calm during the trial, Mrs. Thatcher’s erratic behavior and memory loss cause the judge to declare a dismissal of the case. When both Joanna and Harrison raise questions to Wendy about Mrs. Thatcher’s sudden change in personality, she pleads innocent; they don’t believe it for a second. When Wendy continues to evade the subject, the attention goes back to Joanna and Harrison—who, by this point, are drenched with sexual tension. I love watching their scenes together. Ormond and Lempke have an effortless chemistry together onscreen that definitely adds to their characters’ appeal together.

It was inevitable from the day Joanna called on Harrison to help her get out jail that something would happen between them. What I didn’t expect was Joanna’s casual response; she’s known the man for more than a century and finally beds him. I expected a bigger reaction, but it still works out. We hardly see her bad girl side apart from some flashbacks, so seeing her handle Harrison after spending the night is a surprising reveal about her personality.

FIANCÉ BLUES

Freya’s unease with Dash’s (Eric Winter) revelation of a former fiancé gets worse as Elyse (Kaitlin Doubleday) makes a scene at the bar, Bent Elbow. When Killian (Daniel DiTomasso) notices Freya acting strangely, he confronts her, only to find out she has seen Dash’s fiancé. Killian explains the impossibility of it since Elyse is dead.

Freya seeks Wendy’s advice and is informed that ghosts have a small window of time to cross over. Wendy realizes Elyse’s spirit has come back because a portal has been opened, and the only one capable of such an act is Ingrid :

Ingrid: “…All I did was summon his spirit.”

Wendy: “Yeah, and you allowed another spirit to piggy back on the spell. Now Dash’s dead fiancee is

here messing with Freya.

Ingrid: “What?! But I did my research; that was not in the book.”

—

Ingrid: “This isn’t about guilt. I want to be with him.”

Wendy: “You can’t be with him, he doesn’t belong here. And if he doesn’t leave soon

he’s going to be stuck here forever. Tonight is a full moon, and if he doesn’t leave by sunrise

then he can never move on…but you knew, that was in the book.”

Ultimately, Ingrid is left with a choice between doing what’s right (let Adam crossover), and what her heart wants to do (let him stay with her forever.) Elsewhere, Freya learns Elyse committed suicide—the result of Killian ending their affair. Considering Killian’s rejection, it’s surprising to learn Elyse is still very much in love with him. It’s that little problem that makes Freya’s job harder as she tries to figure a way to convince Elyse to go back to the light.

ALL GOOD THINGS…COME TO AN END

The most heartbreaking scene of Witches of East End so far is Ingrid’s goodbye to Adam. Now, I expected there to be a loophole, some chance of them bringing Adam back, but no such luck. Adam addresses this very idea and Ingrid explains spirits only get one chance to return to the living; she used his one chance by summoning him after he died. Meanwhile, Freya appeals to Elyse’s feelings for Dash and Killian, in crossing over as well..

It’s this moment where I feel the series is at its best—not catering to some weekly bad guy as much as allowing the characters to evolve. Ingrid’s emotional growth and personality will be shaped by the love she’s experienced with Adam, as well as the grief in letting him go. Freya’s ability to help Elyse find peace proves she’s not just a girl caught in a love triangle. Freya has strength, and determination.

Overall

From the start of Witches of East End, viewers have watched the Beauchamp women work against an evil shapeshifter hell-bent on destroying their bloodline in their seaside town of East End. But this week, we got a reprieve to focus on the aspects of Witches of East End that make it so worthwhile. The bond these women share as family is one of the reasons I love tuning in to this show every Sunday.

“Electric Avenue” has a lot of strong points, but the performances are at their best this time around. And the script is hilarious too:

Joanna: “I slept with Harrison.”

Wendy: “What?! Slow down! Details, details, how was it?”

Joanna: “It was great. It was better than I ever imagined, and then I ran out of there

like my hair was on fire.”

Wendy: “Was it? What? It’s not like it would be the first time.“

I can’t emphasize enough how well placed the dialogue fits with the cycle of emotions between Boston and George’s performances. They are stellar onscreen, and this week we see a great range of emotions. Honestly, I can’t believe that in a matter of such a short time, I fell hook, line, and sinker for Ingrid and Adam’s love story. This is a great testament to the writing (by Ron Milbauer, and Terri Hughes Burton ) and performances (directed by Paul Holahan). The special effects are not heavy-handed, which is good; they were used in the right places without distracting the scenes.

Overall, I think “Electric Avenue” is one of the best episodes, and definitely my favorite thus far. Now that we know more of present day East End, it will be exciting to explore the many past lives of Freya and Ingrid next.

Tune in to Witches of East End, Sundays at 10 pm ET/PT, only on Lifetime.

Follow the series on its official site: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/witches-of-east-end/ where you can watch full episodes too.