TV shows always pile on plot and stakes the episodes move towards the season finale. The threat of the witch-hunters is well-established. The binding spell done in "Bound" hasn't been a major plot point since "Bound." Characters bicker whenever they're unable to use individual power in out-of-the-blue dangerous situations. Beyond that, it's just a spell they did. Jake, Cassie and Faye went to Jake's father to get his crystal. His grandfather lives in rural Chance Harbor, or on the outskirts thereabout, in a log cabin. The inside is full of newspaper piles as well as newspaper clippings on the wall. Jake refers to the wall as the 'conspiracy wall.' Among the pieces of paper is a list of the current circle members and their birth dates which freaks the girls out. Jake dismisses it all as a product of his crazy grandfather's mind. Grandpa is convinced that the circle will kill them all, including the elders and any other witch. The elders have been portrayed as paranoiac and on-edge throughout the season. Diana's grandmother tried to kill Cassie because of her dark magic. The crystals are hidden because of their deadly power when combined to make a 'crystal skull' (sounds like the name for a death metal band). None of the circle members know what to make of this information. They just want the crystals because Blackwell said the crystals are their only means of defense.
However, the character of John Blackwell is hard to pin down. Ambiguity is a great trait in the character. If nothing else, ambiguity makes a character interesting. John is either a master manipulator or a reformed dark magic witch; but he could be both things. Jake's grandfather seemingly contradicted everything Blackwell told the circle about the crystals. Charles and Jane plotted to murder John. John, of course, anticipated Jane's treachery and reversed the spell on her. Charles went from dominant to submissive faster than you can say Pobedonestov. I don't know which way John really leans. There are scenes in which he's portrayed with virtue, class and genuine warmth. Melissa got reassuring advice and warm smile from him. Faye felt convinced of her being his daughter after reading her mother's diary. She nearly killed herself trying to feel the dark magic within her genes, but she was wrong. John told her he'd be there for her though whilst complimenting her deceased dad. Phoebe Tonkin deepened Faye tenfold in one scene; she sat near tears as she tried to figure out the truth and one could see how sad Faye still is to not have her father in her life. Ultimately, it'd be difficult to fathom an evil John Blackwell when he's such a stand-up guy to the kids; but maybe he is just that damn good at manipulating. John still has a plan he needs Charles for. The specifics of the plan are unknown.
Charles' hatred stems from John's friendship with his deceased wife Elizabeth. The friendship had a more intimate quality when we learned about Diana's biological father being John Blackwell. The choice of Diana is initially surprising. I felt genuine surprise during the reveal. Then I felt disappointed by the potential cop-out to come. Charles is a bad and loathsome dude. He killed Amelia and then Nick. His brief moral bouts were as brief as a passing summer thunderstorm. One aspect of the show I looked forward to since September has been the teenagers' discovery of their parents past and sins. I'm interested in watching these kids grapple with ugly, hard truths. I don't think the show will head in that direction anymore. Diana's father is no longer Charles so she should be able to grapple less when she finds out what he's done. Blackwell isn't a saint, but if Cassie's reactions are any indication, Diana will conveniently forget about the badder things he's done. I wonder how much this reveal will matter, or be dwelt upon, by Diana when the larger interest of the writers seems to be how Diana and Cassie could be a dangerously dark duo. Sometimes a blogger needs to get out of his or her own head and just patiently wait for the rest of the story to play out before too much lousy speculation is vomited onto the page.
The reveal made Diana an infinitely more interesting character. The writers seemed to have figured out their other secondary characters like Melissa, Adam, Jake and Faye (not that the writers figuring out these characters make them any more interesting (this refers to Adam)). Diana cared only about the Australian deckhand Grant during "Crystal." The life of the circle complicated her uninteresting love life. She told Cassie that she'll take a break once the danger is over. Cassie told her that she can't abandon the group when she's the lone reason for the group. Diana got upset. The scene eventually led to the reveal. The point, though, is how Diana's motivation stemmed from a lousy tertiary character. There hasn't been any growth. Melissa has grown and evolved as have all of the other secondary characters. But Diana's been stuck. Hopefully this Blackwell business makes all the difference in the writing for her.
"Crystal" gave the show positive momentum heading into the finale on May 10. I dare say I'm again interested in where this is all headed.
Other Thoughts:
-The writing for individual characters was great tonight. Micah Schraft is the credited writer. He came over from HBO's Hung it seems. Dare I compliment him for making little scenes between Adam and Melissa, Cassie and Jake, Jake and his grandad, etc very good? Eh why not. Hopefully he stays on board if the show is renewed.
-Callum was the episode's lone threat. He wanted to steal a crystal to make money on the black market. He's an awful character. He won't be returning after Jake marked him. How biblical.
-Omar Madha directed.
THE YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
No comments:
Post a Comment