All Shall Be Revealed... Review: Dracula – “From Darkness to Light”

Season 1, Episode 4

Air Date: Friday, November 15, 2013, 10/9c on NBC.

Rating: ★★★★★

“Because if I can’t kill the beast, no one can.” — Lady Jayne

I haven’t seen an episode of Dracula I didn’t like. And I’ll be honest, I don’t think I ever will. The writing, acting, and cinematography are so top notch there’s nothing negative I can say about this series. I love every single thing about Dracula down to the drab, cloudy setting that is the foggy city of London. Friday night TV time is becoming a new addiction.

Observations and thoughts:

Love Once Lost

I have to mention the scene where Alexander (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) protects Mina (Jessica De Gouw) from an accident. The look on Alexander’s face as he cradles her to him is full of such intense emotion, it’s almost palpable. The love he had for his wife shines through his eyes whenever Mina is around. His longing gazes, subtle compliments, and desire for her well-being outweigh his own existence. That’s funny considering vampires are usually epitomized as solitary and selfish creatures. There are many layers to Alexander Grayson, and Mina could be the unraveling of them all.

Rolling In The … Mud

The juxtaposition of Alexander and Lady Jayne (Victoria Smurfit) wrestling in his carriage to the two women in a mud-wrestling match is fascinating. The glimpse of eroticism between Alexander and Lady Jayne almost mirrors the violent determination of the two wrestlers. Both groups appear locked in a lover’s embrace, rolling to and fro, grunting and groaning from the strain of their exertions. Who knew violence was the ignition to Lady Jayne’s fire? There is more to this woman than meets the eye.

The Artist In Me

The cinematography exhibited throughout “From Darkness to Light” is some of the best I’ve seen in a TV series. NBC has really outdone itself with the magnitude of excellence Dracula exceeds over its competition. I’m swept away by the slow motion action, pulled into the close-ups, and hypnotized by the still camera shots. Just imagine if this were done for the big screen.

Mastermind

Browning (Ben Miles) doesn’t seem like the type you want to mess with. He’s ruthless without having to get his hands dirty. He threatens with the disposition of someone in complete control. He never appears ruffled and barely raises his voice to get his point across. What a formidable foe. I almost fear Alexander may have his hands full with Browning. I’m not sure either man knows who they are dealing with.

Memories

“Do you not remember when we were the hunters and they were the prey?” Josef (Alec Newman) digs deep to get Alexander to remember his old ways. He thinks he knows what is best for Alexander and the reminder sets events in motion. It’s quite the conundrum, watching Alexander appease his friend with no true intention of deviating from his plan. Alexander is more cunning than I realized. He’s moving people like chess pieces on a board and they don’t even know it. How the writers came up with such an intriguing character is beyond me. Alexander Grayson far outshines any other versions of Dracula that have come to light.

Doctor Who?

There is not enough Van Helsing (Thomas Kretschmann) in “From Darkness to Light.” I’m a bit disappointed with that realization. I live for his hilarious interactions with Alexander, and we get only a mere few minutes of them discussing scientific mumbo-jumbo. But you know what’s interesting about the doctor? If he knew Mina’s interest in his ‘special projects,’ she’d probably be beneficial to his research. She has such a sharp mind (though not where Lucy (Katie McGrath) is concerned) and could be helpful to him. You know, make him think outside the box. As unnatural as it is for Alexander to walk in daylight, I want him to achieve the goal, if for no other reason than to secure his status as a human being to the bad dudes out to destroy him.

Random tidbits

Renfield (Nonso Anozie) continues to impress me. He’s the coolest butler/day-man/friend written for today’s modernized vampire menace. He’s an imposing man in size alone but when you factor in his intelligence, well … Renfield has always been portrayed as a hunchbacked, mindless drone that slithers in and out of rooms without a sound. Good on NBC for showing us a Renfield worthy of the name.

Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) isn’t my favorite character. I have a bad feeling about him I can’t quite shake. I don’t know if it’s how easily he succumbed to Alexander’s wishes or his treatment (or mistreatment) of Mina, but I’m bothered by him. Oh, I know what it is; I want Alexander to steal his girl. If I liked Harker, I’d be against Mina falling in love with the enigmatic vampire. Let’s bring on the drama!

I’m quite taken by the way all vampire hunters—male or female—are called “Huntsmen.”

How hasn’t Lady Jayne noticed Alexander’s lack of a heartbeat before now? She’s been *ahem* up close and personal with him quite a bit lately, and she must notice how cold he is or his lack of a pulse. Is she that wrapped up in him she’s blinded by the obvious?

Memorable lines:

Mina: “We will always be friends.”

Lucy: “Oh, Mina darling; you’re so damnedly clever, yet so damnedly stupid.”

(Like, really, Mina. Hello! That girl loves you!)

Jonathan: “Tell me something, Szabo; have you ever met a man without any secrets?”

I end every episode of Dracula wondering if Alexander will get caught with his trousers down. Not literally, though you never know when Lady Jayne is around. He can be reckless at the best of times, and with Renfield being indisposed, Alexander will be at quite the disadvantage. I’m certain next week’s episode will be more than good. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below or drop me a line on Twitter @ellemoe. I’d love to hear from you.

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Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle