The search for crystals still drives the action of The Secret Circle. Blackwell wants his crystal skull assembled. The circle continues to believe in Blackwell despite the doubt that grew last week. The central storyline involves the Blackwell sisters, Cassie and Diana. Blackwell instructed Cassie to use blood magic to travel back in time to find out where her mother hid the crystal. Diana's brought into the spell when Cassie realized that Elizabeth, Diana's mother, had a role to play in the crystal. Diana continues to reject her biological father and the dark magic he passed onto her. The moral high ground she's on could not even be reached by the Tower of Babel. It's insufferable until one realizes the inevitability of Diana's morality crashing back down to earth when she learns about her father's crimes. Cassie and Diana watch their mothers discuss important issues, specifically, John Blackwell. Elizabeth curses Amelia for bringing him into the group, which is just like the present group and their reluctance to trust the supposedly evil Blackwell so soon after his reappearance. Strangely, I thought of James Joyce’s' Finnegans Wake as the girls watched their mothers and how Joyce decided to portray the history of everybody in the book. Life is like a river. Life is a cycle. Everyone possesses uniqueness, but history repeats itself.
Blackwell's investment in another circle began 18 years ago when he made sure every circle member reproduced an offspring. Amelia fled town. Elizabeth stayed and soon died, along with others. Ethan's father, Adam's grandfather, laid out Blackwell's plan for the audience: with two daughters of Balcoin blood in the new circle, he stands to control them. Amelia fled in hopes Cassie wouldn't learn anything about Chance Harbor, her father, or her powers. The plan failed when she died. Cassie moved to Chance Harbor. Nonsense began. Diana hated her biological father more after the trip into time. Diana stormed off after telling Cassie Amelia was responsible for her mother's death and that Cassie'll be more responsible for the circle's death. I really wanted to hug Cassie when Diana left because Diana's words stabbed her in the heart. Cassie moved on and focused on getting the crystal.
Diana and her morality needed to come to earth though. The girl isn't a villain for lashing out at Cassie. Diana was in a bad place after seeing her mother disappear. The truth about the circumstances of Blackwell's presence just sent her over the edge. Perhaps one should criticize the writers for transforming this girl into a beacon of high morality. Indeed, it sort of came out nowhere once Cassie told her about her true father. I'd understand reluctance, anger, denial, and such, because the news is unpleasant; but Diana is insufferable as a moralist, especially because she's the reason for the circle, the magic, everything. Diana pushed Cassie into the magic. This sudden turn is problematic; however, Charles' confession to his daughter about murdering Amelia is more satisfying because Diana and her morality plummet to earth. The man who raised her, the man she feels honored to call 'dad,' is no better than Blackwell. The moment was inevitable, and I expect the ramifications to transform Diana into a much less insufferable character.
Another old character's reanimated corpse is back to cause problems for the circle in their quest for the last crystal. Nick's reanimated self is under the control of the witch-hunters. Melissa believes the love of her life is back. Jake believes nothing but the worst for his brother's prospect of moving forward happily and peacefully. Their character beats are simple: Melissa still grieves for the man she loves and his return taps into every hope she's held for him whereas Jake feels guilty for abandoning his brother and responsible for his death. Jake takes his frustrations out on Melissa. Faye talks sense and reason into him at the dance. Melissa's and Jake's roles reverse when Nick is so close to them in the tire yard. Jake stares into his brother's eyes and yells, "Nick!" over and over as Nick strangles him. Jake wants to communicate with brother. Zylka plays the moment like he wants nothing more than to be Nick's older brother again. Melissa stabs Nick in the back before he can kill Jake. Melissa simply realized the Nick she knew did die months ago. Melissa and Nick have been the most improved characters in the second half of the season. This story showed how effective the storytelling can be when the spotlight isn't fixed on Cassie.
Everything is set for the season finale. Cassie is armed with the truth against her father now. I hope she's put into position about making a choice that empowers her. Eben kidnapped Faye because it's a rule that a bad guy takes a core character in the penultimate episode. Blackwell probably let Eben take her for the sake of getting the crystal. We did not see what happened. The Secret Circle hasn't been the smoothest story. I'm still interested in what happens. So, there's that.
Other Thoughts:
-Phoebe Tonkin gets all of the best lines. Faye said she wished she brought her 'chasing after demons' show. Later, she wondered why killers always choose the creepiest places to hide instead of, say, the mall.
-TSC is teasing a romance between Melissa and Adam. Adam comforted her as she contemplated how crappy their lives will be because of witches. Melissa listed a number of things she won't be able to do. Of course, the characters might not do anything past this season. The chances for renewal continue to be grim.
-Holly Henderson and Don Whitehead wrote the script. Alex Zakrewzkesi directed it.
THE YOUTUBE CLIP OF THE WEEK
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