Witches of East End – “Poe Way Out” Retrospective. The Telltale Witch

Season 2, Episode 11

Airdate: Sunday, September 28, 2014, 9/8c on Lifetime

Rating: ★★★★★

[warning] MAJOR SPOILERS[/warning]

Story time with the Beauchamps 19th century style.

There’s only one week remaining until the two-hour season finale of Witches of East End and crazy doesn’t even begin to describe the amount of game changing moments and sad departures experienced these past few weeks. “Poe Way Out” is slightly bittersweet. Although the episode maintains the consistency of previous story lines, there is still an outstanding number of questions needing answers. I can’t imagine everything being summed up in the end. That said, “Poe Way Out” keeps up with the drama left in the wake of Asgardian King Nikolaus’ (Steven Berkoff) arrival in East End, as well as the Beauchamp women’s —Joanna (Julia Ormond), Freya (Jenna Dewan-Tatum), and Wendy (Mädchen Amick)— magical trip into the past. Meanwhile, on the home front, Ingrid (Rachel Boston) keeps a watchful eye on granddaddy dearest, Nikolaus, and Frederick (Christian Cooke), leading viewers to question her loyalties. With so much at stake, and the lives of many characters hanging in the balance, it’s anyone’s game.

Poe, Please

“That a maiden there lived whom you may know by the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me.”

The Beauchamp family has been around for a long time so it’s no surprise they may have had some interaction with historical figures. However, Freya’s encounter with Edgar Allan Poe is far more intimate, especially when he happens to be another incarnation of Killian (Daniel Di Tomasso)! Yes, the poem “Annabel Lee” is apparently code for Freya Beauchamp, who not only falls madly in love with the morose artist, but breaks the cardinal rule by revealing the truth about witches. It’s a risk pairing up Killian with such a popular writer like Poe, but the way episodic writer Debra J. Fisher handles the story line works. The love between Freya and Killian is the main objective while Poe’s notoriety isn’t played heavy-handed; Poe is just another struggling artist and Freya his muse. Since this is Witches of East End, I suspected from the start that Freya and Poe would have more than a passionate affair. Tampering with dark forces, Freya and Poe perform a séance, inadvertently calling upon a malevolent spirit. The consequence of Freya’s reckless decision causes a negative ripple effect that defies time.

One of the nicer elements of “Poe Way Out” is the way it depicts a different side to Freya and Killian’s relationship. Compared to Ingrid and Dash (Eric Winter), Freya and Killian have a lot to live up to if they’re ever going to go dark. Dewan-Tatum, again, shows a feistiness that shines through during a scene where a possessed Freya causes havoc. Poe, however, allows viewers to see a more careless side which Di Tomasso aces. With the exception of Di Tomasso’s height and slight build, he embodies the gothic author; even his inflection of voice feels like a good match and caught me off guard at first.

Quoth the Raven?

There are several subplots in play; the more significant one revolves around Dash and his dirty little, albeit murderous, secrets. It’s a race against time as Dash attempts, again, to cover up his first murder when police find a “floater” in the waters by the beach. Adding to the mounting troubles, Dash discovers his kinky one-night stand, Raven Moreau (Sara Lancaster), is the agent assigned to the series of inexplicable deaths in East End. It’s a sticky situation sure to have major repercussions, especially since Moreau can’t seem to stop snooping around. Then there’s Killian, who is mourning Freya’s death. He doesn’t know she is alive again. This is such a vital point; I almost forgot—being so fixated on the events going on with Poe—that Killian is in New York desperate to find a way to break his curse.

With the assistance of Eva’s (Bianca Lawson) family and the use of Santeria, Killian risks his life for love. Star-crossed lovers—I love how it has an odd Romeo & Juliet twist about it.

A possessed Freya is not a witch you want to cross in a dark alley.

It’s Always the Quiet Ones

Not all the Beauchamps go traipsing into the past. Despite her mother’s plea to join them, Ingrid stays behind. She tells them she wants to know her grandfather. And, for a moment, I couldn’t help worrying. Ingrid is the classic nice girl character, so maybe there are moments where one wonders if she is naïve. Considering the amount of trauma and heartbreak Ingrid experiences, it’s natural to assume she may be blindsided by her grandfather’s return. I honestly thought Ingrid lost it by staying behind. Yes, I became doubtful of this sweet bookish librarian.

For the better part of “Poe Way Out,” Ingrid continues to bond with her grandfather, but during the last remaining scenes, when she arrives at the Gardiner mansion, everything comes to light. Aside from Dash’s endearing reaction to Ingrid being alive, it’s nice to know he’s still willing to do anything to help her. It’s when Ingrid voices her plans to lure her grandfather into a false sense of security that makes you cheer a little. She’s playing her grandfather for a fool, and plotting to take him down hard. It speaks volumes to Ingrid’s confidence but also the lengths she will go to ensure her love ones are safe.

Bottom Line

It’s a slippery slope to the finish line of Witches of East End’s second season, and while “Poe Way Out” rests heavily on Freya and Killian’s connection and past, it delivers a lot of well-placed moments. The show’s consistency with expanding its mythology as well as great dialogue—Freya’s reaction to her connection with Edgar Allan Poe is hilarious—carry the episode. Ingrid’s meticulous plot and true intentions behind her decision to stay in East End prove she’s as good an actress as she is a witch. Boston is convincing in delivering Ingrid’s speech about Asgard so much so it fools both Nikolaus and viewers alike.

I can’t wait for what lies ahead in the finale, and I hope with so much potential and expanding story lines news of a third season for Witches of East End is not too far away.

What did you think of “Poe Way Out?” Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @conallen.