Penny Dreadful – “Verbis Diablo” Review. A Sort of Peace.

Season 2, Episode 2

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

Rating: ★★★★★

“…mischief is best enacted in small groups and very close quarters; don’t you think, Mr. Chandler?”– Ferdinand Lyle

Humor doesn’t automatically come to mind when thinking of the dark drama Penny Dreadful; however, it makes quite an unexpected appearance in “Verbis Diablo.” Our lovable British Museum curator, the delightful Ferdinand Lyle, played brilliantly by Simon Russell Beale, brings his charisma and knowledge when Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) enlists his aide in figuring out the puzzle of the “verbis diablo” language. We also see a familiar face resurface in “Verbis Diablo” when the uniquely handsome Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), abroad in another city, dazzles yet another woman with a secret of her own. Be warned; while “Verbis Diablo” provides a healthy dose of frivolity, sinister deeds take place among the witches—deeds that will have you cowering in a corner wishing for daylight.

Vanessa strikes up a conversation with John Claire.

Vanessa Ives’ (Eva Green) seeks solace when she tells Sir Malcolm about the witches appearing in her room during her evening prayers. While the scorpion she sketches on her floor at the end of “Fresh Hell,” in her own blood, remains a mystery, it doesn’t seem to give her the protection she thought it would from the deviant dark forces seeking her out. The bond between Sir Malcolm and Vanessa continues to grow stronger; he even takes her to his place of refuge when he seeks to find a “sort of peace” from the sins of his past. Doing work in a dank underground soup kitchen riddled with cholera may not be ideal but Vanessa finds a steady rhythm in helping the less fortunate. She meets an unlikely new ally, one she doesn’t realize has a connection to her indirectly. John Claire (Rory Kinnear) sits alone, reading, when Vanessa strikes up a conversation. The words that pass between them evoke a sense of camaraderie between the odd pair but there is also a glimmer of acceptance in John’s eyes as Vanessa compliments him on his “beautiful eyes.”

Perhaps it’s my own insecurities but I find myself more in tune with John Claire than the other characters. His story of being shunned for his appearance resonates with me on a certain level. The way John behaves, his mannerisms of never looking directly into someone else’s eyes and lowering his head when he speaks to others, signifies his self-loathing when he should be rejoicing in his strength and immortality.

Has Evelyn cast a spell over Sir Malcolm or is he pretending to be smitten?

Evelyn Poole (Helen McCrory) continues her onslaught of treachery as she seduces Sir Malcolm in a most unusual yet sensual way. After all, you needn’t take a stitch of clothing off to have a man eating from the palm of your hand. The way Evelyn moves in after dabbing a touch of perfume to her wrist, then the back of her ear, tilting her head ever so slightly so Sir Malcolm can lean in to inhale the scent, tantalizes the senses. I am curious about the foreign words she whispers in his ear. Is she speaking “verbis diablo,” casting a spell upon Sir Malcolm to do her bidding? Evelyn has many secrets and her aim at the firing range will definitely give gun slinging American Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) a run for his money.

Speaking of Ethan, he has a new admirer in Ferdinand. The introduction of the two by Vanessa leads to a conversation riddled with innuendos. As Ferdinand is called to Sir Malcolm’s to consult on the seemingly “dead language,” the comical gestures of a smitten Ferdinand brought a smile to my face.

Ferdinand is absolutely beside himself upon meeting the tall and dashing American, Ethan Chandler.

Sir Malcolm: “Given you’re an expert in dead languages, we thought to appeal for your help.”

Ferdinand: “So, to have another adventure in translation, are we? Brazen our way into the mystic past?”

Sir Malcolm: “If you are willing.”

Ferdinand: “I feel Mr. Chandler can provide able rescue should we find ourselves suddenly afoul of the alter cliff.”

Ethan: “Well, I do have a gun belt.”

Ferdinand: “Stop!”

Beale absolutely steals every scene he’s in with his extraordinary flamboyance. From the way he rolls the letter ‘r’ to the way he behaves elicits a grin that cannot be contained within.

While Ferdinand revels in Ethan’s accompaniment into the deep recesses of the British Museum, Ethan has an epiphany about wolves that unnerves him. And in learning of Ferdinand’s duplicitous nature toward the end of “Verbis Diablo,” I hope he keeps this bit of insight about Ethan to himself. Imagine what Evelyn could do with a powerful werewolf at her beck and call.

Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) has a thing for blondes, it seems. The newly resurrected Brona (Billie Piper), now known as Lily, begins to understand language as Victor relates false tales of their childhood growing up as “cousins.” If you recall, Brona had a thick Irish brogue but as Lily, her speech is more delicate and infinitely more British, just like dear cousin Victor. Will there be a contentious battle over who will win Lily’s heart? It seems Victor has taken a liking to Lily despite having created her for his first born creature, John.

Observation

Dorian doesn’t let his “broken heart” stop him from enjoying the pleasures of life.

Dorian nurses a broken heart but I don’t think it will be healed after a night with the deceptively alluring “Angelique” (Jonny Beauchamp). I adore Dorian’s willingness to look beyond gender when he seeks to indulge his base needs. I’d love to see a flashback episode of what transpired between Ethan and Dorian in season one’s “Demimonde.” Angelique says something quite befitting our intrepid Dorian, “Stay young and beautiful; it suits you.” Indeed. But Dorian’s youth comes at a great cost. Will we ever see his portrait in the mirrored room?

Overall

“Verbis Diablo” transfixes you with a myriad of emotions. From seduction to blatantly despicable acts, you find yourself equally immersed in laughter, fear, joy, and repulsion. Evelyn’s daughter Hecate (Sarah Greene) frightens me with her diabolical demeanor. What she does defines evil as she calculates her moves to steal a couple’s infant, but it’s what Evelyn does that truly terrifies me. The room filled with puppets and dolls made me cringe but the ritualistic sacrifice stunned me beyond compare. Creator and episodic writer John Logan certainly knows how to shock his audience. Bravo. How will this ritual affect Vanessa? It’s quite eerie how much the new doll looks like her, isn’t it?

Let me know what you thought of “Verbis Diablo.” 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.

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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.