Taboo – “Episode 8” Review. Where (Almost) Everyone Dies.

Season 1, Episode 8

Air Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 10PM ET/PT on FX

Rating: ★★★★★

“We are the Americans.” – James Keziah Delaney

<i>Taboo</i> – “Episode 8” Review. Where (Almost) Everyone Dies. 2

James makes his getaway an explosive one.

I’m not sure what I expected but “Episode 8” pulls no punches. From the opening scene, filled with heart wrenching sadness, to the bittersweet end where the simple raising of a flag sets the stage for a new tale, Taboo keeps you on your toes, sort of. Now, where to begin…there is death, dying, and more … death all packed into this episode, yet with no clue as to why it happens. Ok, maybe I have a theory. What better way to tie up loose ends than to kill off everyone involved in a storyline that finds itself going nowhere. Taboo takes the easy way out by blowing its characters out of the water, just because. I don’t mind it but I was expecting a bit more in the way of explaining what this season was about.

What a Tangled Web Indeed

James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy) is the master of devious plots. When you thought he was only good at disemboweling his enemies, he shows you another side of himself where he manipulates people in the blink of an eye. But has he also been manipulated? Did he have this huge, well thought out plan set in place before his arrest? I think not. He’s good but not that good. What happens with James is he can think on his feet and move people into place to get things done. Granted, he may have set a few plots in motion because of his ability to consider the various scenarios that might occur. I simply can’t see him knowing how all is going to play out in the end. He’s not Sherlock Holmes, after all.

<i>Taboo</i> – “Episode 8” Review. Where (Almost) Everyone Dies. 3

Chomondley might have been a little heavy handed with the gunpowder.

Lorna Bow (Jessie Buckley) gets MVP status for “Episode 8.” She holds my attention with every scene, plays her part to a tee, and makes you feel for her in every circumstance. I have to ask, did you weep as you watched Zilpha (Oona Chaplin) step up onto a ledge, or when Lorna takes a bullet while protecting her stepson and crew? I mean, I can’t say I am surprised by Zilpha’s storyline being tied up neatly with a bow but I didn’t expect her end to be so boring. James sheds a few tears but nothing more. I kept thinking there has to be something else to show James’ love for his sister and his obvious devastation upon receiving her letter. As an aside, there sure are a whole lot of letters being passed back and forth. Hasn’t anyone ever intercepted one of them to get a heads up on their foes? But I digress. Taboo is packed with excitement and intrigue, yet it doesn’t always give you the hows or the whys. And I need the answers to those questions before I become invested in another season.

I now comprehend the vignettes featured in Taboo’s opening credits. At least there is one thing I understand about this show. All is not what it seems, and imagery can be used as a plot device.

I’m certain I’m not the only person who flinched as an explosion catches Cholmondeley (Tom Hollander) of guard. Why, oh why, does he have to be sacrificed for the greater good? And what is that greater good, exactly? James and his crew manage to get through a gunfight with British soldiers (seriously?) and avoid bullets, explosions, and imminent danger by sheer luck. Or is it witchcraft? The supernatural element is one that pops up when it is convenient, and then it inexplicably disappears. I’m a bit disappointed by this aspect because I expected James to come to his own rescue with a bit of the voodoo that he do, er … does.

Quotes:

Sir Stuart Strange to George Chichester: “The difference between Delaney and me is that I always make sure I have one last ace to play.”

And then he later goes boom! Too soon?

James to Strange: “The things I did in Africa make your transactions look paltry. I witnessed, and participated in, darkness that you cannot conceive.”

Do James’ actions in London help to assuage his guilt or is he simply stating a fact?

<i>Taboo</i> – “Episode 8” Review. Where (Almost) Everyone Dies. 4

Did Chichester get his “justice” or revenge?

“Episode 8” is the most exciting, action-packed, and semi-satisfying episode to date. It has everything a viewer could want in a season finale, except answers to the mysteries riddling every scene. The explosions are realistic; the gunfight is edge of your seat fascinating; and the getaway is executed to perfection. But why am I left feeling so confused? What does any of this mean for James and his future? Will there be more intrigue in America or are James and his rag-tag crew traveling somewhere else? I cannot wait until next season to find out. I mean, this story has to continue, right?

Let me know what you think about “Episode 8” by dropping me a line in the comments section below or tweet me @ellemoe.

For more info on Taboo, visit the official site.

Save

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

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