WiC Watches: Carnival Row season 1
Carnival Row Cara Delevingne as Vignette Stonemoss
EPISODE 106: “UNACCOMPANIED FAE”
The pieces of the puzzle start to come together for Philo. Vignette finds a home in a place she never expected. Jonah sneaks off to see someone he shouldn’t. Imogen and Agreus step out together in public.
What Happened?
Episode 6 opens with Philo arriving at the gruesome murder scene of Dr. Morange. Suffering flashbacks to when the doctor sheared his wings, Philo must lie to the concerned Magistrate (Mark Lewis) and say that his investigation found nothing. Why? Because the victims all appear to be connected to Philo’s hidden Fae bloodline. The shocked Portia ends her relationship with Philo when he reveals he is half Fae.
Jonah Breakspear sneaks away from home to observe Sophie Longerbane as she attends her father’s body as he lies in state at Parliament. Jonah and Sophie connect, attracted by each other’s intrigues.
Staying at the Tetterby brothel, Vignette rekindles her old love affair with Tourmaline. Vignette sneaks into the “Treasures of Tirnanoc” exhibit at the Museum and is stricken when she sees pieces of her beloved sacred library on display. She’s arrested after driving a group of patrons out of the museum.
Carnival Row Philo and Portia
Philo goes to visit Darius in prison, and both are concerned with what Portia now knows about Philo. Philo’s story begins to unravel when Constable Berwick (Waj Ali) stumbles across inconsistencies in his statements to the Magistrate. Heading into the Row, Philo talks to Simon McBurney, seeking clues about Aisling’s past.
The Haruspex witch predicts her own death at the hands of the Darkasher.
Quill (Scott Reid) has joined a growing Puck organization of religious zealots in the Row.
Imogen and Agreus step out into a high society public auction.
Sergeant Dombey (Jamie Harris) visits Portia and learns of Philo’s Fae heritage, and promptly informs the Magistrate. The police now believe that Philo is the murderer, killing off the people who knew his secret, and move to arrest him.
Carnival Row Agreus and Imogen credit Jan Thijs
Was it good?
“Unaccompanied Fae” plays to Carnival Row‘s strengths early, plunging into the Victorian grimdark with a grisly murder scene and more hallucinatory explorations of Philo’s earliest memories. The episode contains more haunting sequences, including the visions of the Haruspex and Vignette’s walk through the museum’s plundered treasures of Tirnanoc. Racist and religious tensions run heavy through many scenes. In the midst of it all, the estranged Philo and Vignette try to move on with their lives, but we know fate plans to bring them back together again.
With so many separate tales weaving through the episode, the creators still find time to give lesser characters like the bitter Sergeant Dombey and Portia their own little moments. As the Parliament and Parlor storylines grow, the proceedings feel more and more British — the Burgue, despite the presence of the Fae, feels like Victorian London in everything but name — and that’s perfectly acceptable for a fantasy/steampunk story.
Carnival Row Afissa and Philo Credit Jan Thijs
Carnival Row continues to entertain with the emotionally engaging and cinematic “Unaccompanied Fae.” It’s taken a while for the Breakspear and Spurnrose storylines to develop, but now they’re getting decent traction with interesting characters like the unpredictable Sophie and the mysterious Agreus. Philo has a lot to do and he’s proactive, but Vignette’s character has largely been treading water for the last two episodes, despite the potential of her membership in the Black Raven.
No, this isn’t a perfect show. Plot points sometimes click into place with unexpected ease, such as Dombey’s ability to recognize he can squeeze Philo’s big secret out of Portia. The multitude of narrative threads continue to make the story unwieldy in spots, and none grip you as profoundly as Philo and his mysteries. But the overall effect is undeniably magnetic. It’s too much fun not to watch.