Three episodes in and it seems that Penny Dreadful can do no wrong. It is rare that in the first three episodes a show knows itself so intimately that it can change direction and know the audience will follow.
We are returned more closely to the main storyline that was introduced in “Night Work” (see our review here). Ethan, eager to get medicine for his new companion Broma. Their search leads them to a tense stroll through the zoo where they encounter a pack of wolves. This is where the show shines. As the seconds ticked away the feeling of suspense continued to build. The darkness, the dread, casted a thick fog over the scene until it finally was over.
What we got out of the storyline was a clue to Mina’s disappearance. Apparently she has involved herself with a nobleman who is able to control her. However, the pieces never really fell into place until we are introduced to a rabid Fenton who referred to the dark being hiding in the shadows as “master.” A final interrogation scene revealed that he’s always there, reaching his hand out of the dark. Fenton is a creepy motherf**ker.
We’re also told that Vanessa has been acting as bait for this mysterious master. However, it was not totally explained to her about the Amunet possession situation. I’d probably hold that back too. Malcolm simply tells Ethan that if she gets possessed, you might have to bang her, however he was bait more eloquent than that.
After a few tense moments over the treatment of Fenton’s creepy ass, the team is assembled. So called monster hunters consisting of Malcolm, Vanessa, Ethan, Victor, and Sembene. The group agreed to “pledge to go as far as your soul will allow.” This is getting interesting.
However, the storyline that defined the episode and the series yet again involved Dr. Frankenstein. This time we are treated to our first definitive background story to one of the characters on the show, however it is the nature of the background story that is compelling. We learn that Victor’s obsession with life and death stemmed from his mother’s abrupt and traumatic death. The peacefulness of the flashback is suddenly destroyed by the reminder of the carnage of the previous episode.
Frankenstein’s first monster who is closer to the beast that we are familiar with is not much of a beast after all. Caliban, the name given to the monster by a stranger, was able to speak eloquently and display real emotion and hurt after his first encounter with his father. It seemed from the beginning that Dr. Frankenstein was simply unable to contain his first monster. However, the truth is that within second’s of Caliban’s creation the doctor ran out terrified of what he created. The screams of the monster weren’t screams of horror, they were screams of any new born living being. To be ignored was painful and confusing for Caliban. We actually begin feeling for him, however the show continued to shroud itself in darkness as Caliban and the Doctor were still covered in the blood of our dear departed Proteus, whose body laid in shambles as the two continued their conversation.
Caliban felt abandoned the way a child felt abandoned by his parents. However, he was shown kindness despite his appearance and learned quickly of the nature of the world. There is good and there is evil, however the lines may not be so clear. Caliban’s isolation and story felt so heartbreaking that it seemed that his act of brutality was simply done in rage following the clear rejection of his creator. Penny Dreadful has become so much more than a show meant to induce horror. This side story of Victor and his creatures have become the catalyst for conversation about human nature.
Caliban’s back story has become one of the most interesting story lines of the series. I’m interested to see how it plays out. So far it seems that the show is staying closer to the story of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which the episode laid the groundwork for. I can see where they are potentially going with this Victor/Caliban storyline, but I will digress for now. Caliban is a passionate character who is clearly dangerous, that’s what Victor has to look out for. The entire episode provided wonderful material for Harry Treadaway and Rory Kinnear that both actors poured themselves into.
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.