Penny Dreadful – “The Nightcomers” Review. Midnight Things.

Season 2, Episode 3

Air Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015, 10PM E/P on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“When Lucifer fell, he did not fall alone. They will hunt you until the end of days. Be true…” – The Cut Wife

Penny Dreadful goes beyond being a dark drama; it transcends this genre, blending it with a supernatural force compelling you to tune in each week to discover what happens to our intrepid troupe of adventurers. In “The Nightcomers,” this entire episode is a dedicated flashback to Vanessa Ives’ (Eva Green) past and how she learned who she is captivating you from beginning to tragic end. Special guest star Patti LuPone owns every single second she’s on screen with a powerful performance. She’s nearly unrecognizable as the old crone known only as “the Cut Wife of Balandry Moor.”

The Cut Wife felt Vanessa inching closer every step of the way. How powerful is Vanessa?

If you’re wondering what a “cut wife” is, all I can say is it’s the complete opposite of what a midwife would do. But this Cut Wife is so much more than that. She has knowledge and that knowledge is the reason why Vanessa travels through the moors to seek. As Vanessa recounts her story to an inquisitive Ethan (Josh Hartnett), the story goes back to season one when Vanessa’s friend Mina Murray-Harker (Olivia Llewyen) comes to her in a vision of sorts in the episode “Closer Than Sisters.” Suddenly Mina is standing there begging for Vanessa to help her. As quickly as Mina appeared, she vanishes. This is the point in the story where “The Nightcomers” begins.

Vanessa has searched for the Cut Wife to see if this woman can give her answers. Vanessa believes she is cursed but we know she is more than that. The Cut Wife explains many things and teaches Vanessa how to use her gifts. “I have never known a Day Walker with such power…and how will you use it?” Witches who use their powers for good, so to speak, are known as “Daywalkers;” those who have been seduced and succumbed to the dark forces are known as “Nightcomers.” Both can walk in daylight, but as the Cut Wife clarifies, the Nightcomers do the bidding of the Devil in order to retain their youth and power.

Evelyn Poole has been after Vanessa for quite some time.

Vanessa also has indirectly met with the cunning and devious Evelyn Poole (Helen McCrory), although in “The Nightcomers,” Vanessa never sees Evelyn’s face. Evelyn and the Cut Wife have a long and sordid history having once been sisters in the same coven. Cast out, the Cut Wife protects Vanessa from Evelyn, but it won’t be for long. McCory continues to impress me with her brilliance. The way she delivers her lines with conviction, and every move she makes beguiles the viewer with anticipation of what will come next. There is a gracefulness in how McCory embodies this diabolical character, making it seem as though as she is one and the same.

Vanessa proves to be a worthy student and companion to the Cut Wife.

As Vanessa learns more from the Cut Wife, their bond grows stronger. It’s been a long time since the Cut Wife had a companion, someone to take under her wing, and Vanessa proves to be a worthy student and friend. LuPone’s performance is nothing short of magnificent. The Cut Wife makes no apologies for her blunt delivery of the truth nor does she mince words when telling Vanessa how she feels. Vanessa is in grave danger, and the Cut Wife takes measures to help ensure Vanessa’s safety. A book of spells is handed down but comes with a dire warning. “Of all the texts, of all the spells, this is the most cursed…forbidden; the poetry of death. If ever the day comes my little scorpion is crushed and beaten; if her god deserts her completely, only then does she open it. And on that day, she will never be the same; she will have gone away from God forever.” And as the villagers come to “burn the witch,” the Cut Wife reveals herself, “…My name is Joan Clayton.”

The ending of “The Nightcomers” will have you gasping at the audacity of how the so-called villagers take down a witch. Burning at the stake is one thing, but what these townsfolk do to Joan is unspeakable.

Overall

Through “The Nightcomers,” we learn so much about Vanessa and her powers, but we also learn that Evelyn has been after her for quite some time. The dark forces are relentless in their pursuit of Vanessa, and if you recall in season one, “Possession,” the evil one tells Vanessa, “I want you to be the Mother of Evil; I want you to rule the darkness with me at my side.” Will Vanessa have to use the cursed “poetry of death” to fight against the Nightcomers? With Evelyn’s claws firmly placed within Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), she inches closer to claiming her prize – Vanessa – for her master. Will Vanessa be able to withstand another possession? Series creator and episodic writer John Logan truly out does himself with “The Nightcomers.” I’m sure he’ll continue to surprise me as the second season progresses.

Let me know what you thought of “The Nightcomers.” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @judybopp. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Tune in to Penny Dreadful, Sundays at 10PM E/P, only on Showtime.

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/.

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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.