Penny Dreadful Reviews: "Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places"

         So after last episode, “Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places” catches us up with the story again and while some storylines move at a slower pace, the episode on a whole certainly leaves us eager to see what happens next. It looks like Evelyn now has finalized control over Vanessa, so how will that play out?
          Vanessa tries to distract herself from the gloom hanging over her by helping Frankenstein buy clothes for his “visiting cousin”. That relationship continues to grow weirder as Lily is made to be more ladylike and Caliban remains absent for her development. Also Hecate tries to get closer to Chandler by romancing him but he knowing his father’s been looking for him, won’t fall for it. And in the end the manor is suddenly under siege as Evelyn’s minions come for the last thing they need to complete the voodoo puppet -a lock of Vanessa’s hair.
          There are a few brief scenes focussed on minor plot points such as the disfigured Pinkerton agent still being interrogated and the Scotland Yard inspector beginning to close in on Chandler. I’m really hoping it pays off soon because thus far Chandler hasn’t had a lot to do this season, and with the werewolf reveal I’m actually more curious about his character. Vanessa fills the team in on what she knows of the witches which allows them a little preparation and the hilarious line “the memoirs of the Devil”. And Sembene gets to be cryptic again. I hope they’re looking to develop him more at some point. And we’re also continuing to follow Dorian and his transgender lover which is not in the least connected to the other storylines and as such feels very odd, and possibly just an excuse to keep Dorian on the show. Though it was interesting to see a 19th century ping-pong club.
          Frankenstein’s story is still unusual. Though he tries to restrain himself he’s clearly falling for Lily who it seems is returning his affections. However it should be noted he’s the only human being she knows and because of his care and patient attitude towards her she may be mistaking the affection she feels for that as a greater love. In any case it’s a psychological mind-fuck and Frankenstein constantly being around her with Caliban -the creation she was made as a mate for -not around, can’t in the long run be good for either of them. And I’m still waiting for Chandler to find out. Vanessa may find out sooner though as while she and Frankenstein were shopping for Lily they promised they would meet. Will Vanessa still recognize Brona even with her makeover? I’m curious as to how far this story will go, it’s written intriguingly and the performances of uncertain emotions are played very well by Harry Treadaway and Billie Piper.
          Evelyn is succeeding in making Sir Malcolm fall for her but is also trying to gain the trust of the others in their circle. This episode saw Hecate try to get friendly with Chandler. Posing as an American abroad with a decently believable backstory the two have tea and in one of the show’s best moments, just when it looks like Chandler too is going to fall for her tricks, he calls her out on her bullshit story, guessing she’s been sent by his father. Though he’s wrong in her real identity, I love how awesome a moment it is for him. From what I’ve seen of Chandler I would have believed he’d fall for the same tricks that are currently working for Sir Malcolm. So this was a pleasant surprise and an awesome character moment. Sir Malcolm on the other hand I’m a little disappointed is so easily swayed. It’s keeping him from being as compelling a character he was last season.
          The climax though is the best part of the episode. It’s another moody night at the mansion as the gang is assembled, interacting in their various corners while trying to figure things out. And then all of a sudden, the wall moves ever so slightly. The suspense is built very surprisingly well for something we know is coming. But the visual effects of the witches blending into the walls is great and the pacing keeps you interested in how and when they’re going to reveal themselves. And the action scene when they do is really good. It’s a very odd sight seeing these bald albino naked women attack with such dexterity. Chandler and Sembene get a couple awesome moments of fighting back, Lyle plays his part well, but in the end they leave with a lock of Vanessa’s hair and she finally knows what they’re doing. Hecate’s last remark to Chandler is a good punctuation to their earlier scene and though the result of this scene is pretty underwhelming (they’re not trying to kill anybody -they just want a hair?), it’s a very well executed end to the episode and feels like Penny Dreadful back on track.
          I think I did mention that the lock of hair was the only thing missing from Evelyn’s voodoo experiment -well now the witches have got one, and things look pretty dire for Vanessa. “Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places” is a good title, appropriate for the ending, and a reminder that nowhere are our anti-heroes really safe. Not a whole lot of consequence happened in this episode until the end, but things are moving forward again after last episode’s stall and the feeling of impending danger couldn’t be greater.