Last week (review here), Rowan failed to capture Lasher let alone put an end to him. Because of that, he killed more Mayfairs. In the wake of losing her mother, Moira turned to Ciprien and the Talamasca. As a last resort, Rowan releases Cortland from his stone prison.
This week, Rowan gathered the Mayfairs together with Cortland’s help. However, she knew he had his own ideas about getting Lasher back. Rowan tried to protect the Mayfairs but it blew up in her face, especially when Moira stood up against her. Elsewhere, Lasher got advice from an unlikely acquaintance.
Let’s review!
Warning: It’s about to get spoiler-y!
New Thing, New Rules
One of the swankiest things to happen this season happened right at the start of this episode. Lasher (Jack Huston), washing blood from a handkerchief encountered Felix, a vampire. This meeting looked like the start of a rumble but turned into a unique, if not also tense, supernatural interaction. Lasher still struggled with what he was, but Felix just told him that those like them were made to keep humanity in check or something to that effect.
This idea seemed to pique Lasher’s curiosity. Though he’s not a vampire, he has new “rules” to learn. Discovering what they are is what he’s not such a fan of. He still doesn’t want to hurt people, but he’s getting tired of not understanding how does.
The connection to Interview With the Vampire is not lost on me. In fact, this crossover was such an exciting moment that it left me hoping there would be more involvement from the different areas of the Immortal Universe.
Mayfair Affair
Rowan (Alexandria Daddario) already had Cortland (Harry Hamlin) getting a party underway to get Mayfairs together in one place. Rowan wanted a party to try and figure out how to protect them, but Cortland is making promises to Mayfairs that Lasher will be attending. In the mix of it all is a strong sense of dread. Rowan can’t promise that Lasher will be at the affair. Not when he’s so dangerous and could kill more Mayfairs and she’ planning to tell them that.
Cortland reminded her that if she did try to say any such thing, the family would turn on her. This seemingly gave him an upper hand over her. Under this impression, Rowan sank to new lows and continued to hide that Lasher was killing Mayfairs and lying about it. Talk about making a bad impression.
Into the Witch’s Den
Moira (Alyssa Jirrels) now contemplates teaming up with Ciprien (Tongayi Chrisia) and the Talamasca after losing her mother. Though she’s more dismayed by Rowan turning her mom’s death into some form of a campaign about Lasher, she’s convinced to attend the party.
Rowan’s struggle with Lasher allowed Moira to step up in the family and that didn’t go unnoticed in this episode. Moira came to her sister’s aid, promising she’d take care of her and even put the family first by trying to take down Lasher. She’s taken on a role that I imagine Rowan would have originally if Lasher hadn’t gotten to her.
Ciprien has been more than assuring for Moira Mayfair. Enough so that the chemistry between them hasn’t gone unnoticed. The trust that Moira instills in him almost replicates that of Rowan in season 1.
Sister Sister
As the Mayfairs gathered, it became apparent that Rowan and Moira weren’t the only ones with discord in the family. Cortland’s discomfort from calling Dolly Jean’s sister, Evelyn (K Steele), and Dolly Jean’s inability to get a hold of her as well proves there are even more Mayfair secrets to unearth.
One thing was certainly clear about Evelyn. Much like Moira, she wasn’t a fan of Lasher. Though she had no desire to visit with the other Mayfairs, that didn’t mean she didn’t get a visit from Lasher. While it turned brutal, she managed to survive.
As more Mayfairs reveal their distaste for the demon, I’m hoping they can come together and convince Rowan to turn on Lasher as well.
Power Play
The big party, the epicenter of the episode, broiled with tension and magic. A spell was brewed and mirrors covered. Magic wove its way through the house as Mayfairs filled it, waiting with a mixture of excitement and dread for Lasher.
Moira exploded at Rowan, but Rowan’s promise that she wanted to defeat Lasher was met with a power that blocked Moira’s powers. Moira wasn’t entirely convinced and rightfully so since Rowan inexplicably protects him.
Elsewhere, Jojo (Jen Richards) and Rowan watched Cortland try to sway family members with his charismatic ways. He was building up allies. More so, he was the reason Evelyn Mayfair refused to attend, leaving her open to the attack from Lasher.
Under duress, Rowan confessed to Lasher’s murders and accidentally spelled Jojo and Moira’s sister, causing them to disappear when she only wanted them to stay in the house.
With Lasher in range, Rowan was challenged to end him, it was devastating to see Rowan fall in the midst of Lasher coming for the Mayfairs but getting whisked away by the Talamasca.
With the truth out about Lasher, Rowan may get some help. But after stepping in between Lasher and the Talamasca, I don’t think it’ll be much. Moira certainly didn’t mind double-crossing her at the last second and Ciprien didn’t look too bothered either. Rowan proved in front of everybody that she couldn’t convince herself to end Lasher.
With Jojo in the magical wind and Cortland being one slippery, untrustworthy snake, Rowan may have to turn to unlikely sources for help. Her power source is gone and even then, she’s unable to bring herself to defeat Lasher. It’s almost like a consequence of gaining Lasher’s power. You can play with it, bu you can’t use it to hurt him. All magic has a cost.
This one is costing Mayfairs their lives.
What did you think of this week’s episode? Let’s chat in the comment below.
