Penny Dreadful Series Finale – “Perpetual Night” and “The Blessed Dark” Review. The End…

Season 3, Episodes 8-9

Air Date: Sunday, June 19, 2016, 10PM E/P on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“With love.” – Ethan and Vanessa

As I began watching “Perpetual Night,” a feeling came over me; could this be the end of Penny Dreadful? Everything is so ominous, more so than in previous episodes or even season finales. By the end of the episode, the dread grew. “The Blessed Dark” began and I knew by the middle we would be saying goodbye to more than just one person before it was all over. If you haven’t heard the news by now, you’re either hiding under a rock or avoiding social media at all costs. Penny Dreadful’s season three finale is actually the series finale. But before we get into saying our farewells, let’s discuss the two-hour episode because it is outstanding!

What better way to meet than by slaying vampires together? Catriona meet Ethan.

“Perpetual Night” finds London under a thick blanket of fog, but it’s no ordinary fog. Ethan (Josh Hartnett), Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), and Kaetenay (Wes Studi) realize there is more than just noxious gas lurking within the dense fog. I watched with anticipation as Ethan and Sir Malcolm rush home in search of Vanessa (Eva Green). What they find, however, are vampiric creatures ready to feast on their flesh. I wondered how they would introduce Catriona Hartdegen (Perdita Weeks) to Ethan and Sir Malcolm and now we know. As she explains who she is and what’s been happening, we learn weeks of darkness have been looming over London.

What’s a little cauterizing of wounds between friends? Let’s hope that bite doesn’t change you, Sir Malcolm.

With Sir Malcolm injured, Ethan seeks out a doctor, a friend in fact, Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway). In Ethan’s search, he meets a young boy who claims to know where Victor is. It’s obvious Ethan shouldn’t trust this pale child, but Ethan isn’t sure what to do or believe at this point. The moment arrives when Ethan is face to face with Dracula (Christian Camargo). I enjoyed the bit of levity writer John Logan uses when Dracula says, “The children of the night, what music they make,” which is a play on the lines from Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.” Although the confrontation between Ethan and Dracula doesn’t elicit much excitement, it’s what Ethan does when he’s surrounded by dozens of pale, blood-thirsty vampires that makes for a helluva ride.

Samuel Barnett does an amazing job playing the crazed and disillusion Mr. Renfield.

There are a few surprises in “Perpetual Night,” and one very important secret Kaetenay has kept from Ethan all these years that sheds light on Ethan’s ties to Vanessa. Ethan is supposedly “Lupus Dei” or “Wolf of God” and the only one who can save Vanessa…but is that even a possibility anymore?

As we go into the final hour, “The Blessed Dark,” so much transpires, not only with Ethan and Sir Malcolm trying to find Vanessa, but also the story arcs involving Victor, Henry (Latif Shazid), Lily (Billie Piper), Dorian (Reeve Carney), John Clare (Rory Kinnear), and Dr. Seward (guest star Patti LuPone).

First, Dr. Seward discovers a secret of her own, one she shares with Ethan, Sir Malcolm, Kaetenay, and Catriona. Apparently, her secretary, Mr. Renfield (Samuel Barnett), is a very bad assistant. The scene with Renfield, Seward, and the frogs isn’t for the faint of heart. It might make you queasy. It’s absolutely disgusting. But Seward knows Renfield has information and knows exactly how to extract it.

The creator and his creature reconcile…in a way.

Then, Lily tells her sad tale to a determined Victor. She relates the story about the daughter she lost and her fears of losing her again if Victor goes through with his experiment. I’m not sure why Lily’s story veers in this direction but now we may never know the rest of her journey. As she returns to Dorian, their conversation is quite revealing, mostly of Dorian’s nature than anything else. How long has Dorian lived? He’s desensitized to so many things that involve feelings; it’s hard to discern if he’s that cold or if he’s pretending to hide how truly lonely he is. Lily is an immortal, not in the same way, but nevertheless. She could have been a true companion for him but they both are unwilling to compromise who they are for each other.

John is more human than anyone gives him credit for.

Last but not least is John’s tragic tale. In the last few episodes, John found and reconnected with his family but is unable to protect them from the ravages of a hard life lived. Kinnear is absolutely fantastic! He’s so endearing yet can evoke a sense of fear in an instant. His tenderness with his son nearly brought me to tears. I only hope John will find happiness one day. He deserves it.

Overall

Throughout the three seasons of Penny Dreadful, I knew the show was building to something. In season one, Vanessa grapples with her faith after losing her best friend. In season two, her faith is tested and she begins to lose it. In season three, with her faith all but gone, Vanessa stands alone for the first time without Sir Malcolm or Ethan anywhere close by. She journeys through her depression alone until a friend shows up to help her. She begins to show signs of life but the darkness soon follows. After digging into her own memories, she discovers two evils seek to possess her; one inches closer every day until finally Vanessa succumbs. At the end of “Ebb Tide,” she says, “I accept myself,” as she gives her neck to Dracula. When Vanessa becomes a vampire, the “Mother of Evil” is truly born.

Although they had mere moments to share, their love will endure for eternity. R.I.P. Vanessa.

The series finale explores Vanessa’s journey and despite being one of the night creatures, Vanessa knows she cannot go on. The final scenes with Ethan and Vanessa are poignant and beautiful. You can feel the love emanating around them. As the candles burn brightly, so does the undeniable love these two have. They have been bound since the moment they met and will forever be bound, even in death.

Another touching scene happens when John visits the cemetery to pay his last respects to a woman that showed him only kindness. Although John may not recall his time with Vanessa in the Banning Clinic, they forged a true and enduring friendship.

While I am sad to see Penny Dreadful come to an end, I know the show cannot continue without Vanessa despite all the other story arcs that haven’t been resolved. Green is a truly gifted and talented actress. She became Vanessa Ives and made us all fall in love with her.

What did you think of this surprise series finale? Leave me a comment below or tweet me @judybopp. Looking forward to hearing from you.

For more on the show, go to the official site http://www.sho.com/sho/penny-dreadful/home.

Visit the Production Blog http://blog.penny-dreadful.com/.

Penny Dreadful Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyDreadfulOnShowtime.

Twitter: @SHO_Penny, as well as these cast members: @reevecarney, @billiepiper, @therealcamargo, @WesleyStudi, @1ShazadLatif, @mrSamuelBarnett, @SebastianCroft, and @PerditaWeeks

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pennydreadful/

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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shonetworks/penny-dreadful-modern-victorian-style/

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.