A Discovery of Witches review, Episode 3×03

The latest episode of A Discovery of Witches is perhaps my least favorite of the season so far, and yet there is so much to gush over.

We open with Matthew, Marcus and Jack, who have been in New Orleans for a while. Marcus reconnects with a few of his children to pitch them the idea of Matthew’s scion, but none of them are willing to listen. It’s only fair that what Matthew did to them in the 1800s was too atrocious to simply forget and forgive. Marcus, too, still holds the New Orleans cull against Matthew, and it speaks volumes that he supports him in spite of it. He embarked on the New Orleans journey knowing full well that his estranged children wouldn’t be happy to see him with Matthew, their executioner, and indeed they are not.

Marcus did not fully understand why Matthew butchered his clan back then, but now he knows. It’s clear New Orleans was not happy to see Marcus reconcile with Matthew afterwards, and it doesn’t help seeing Marcus side with his father now.

Marcus has an odd relationship with his children; it feels like he’s looking for their approval instead of the other way around. He doesn’t approach them like a father but like a long-lost friend, an outsider who longs to be part of something he’s excluded from.

The situation also changes the way Marcus interacts with Matthew. He cooperates, but he considers his orders for about five minutes before deciding to do things his own way. Yet Matthew is patient with both of his children this episode. He spends time with Jack and teaches him to control his blood rage, which is a far way from trying to kill him. But there are still issues: if Jack draws the faces of those he killed to desperately try and get over them, Matthew is still haunted by his sins.

Phoebe and Diana hunt for the lost pages in London

In London, Phoebe and Diana are tirelessly researching for ancient tomes that might hide pages from the Book of Life. It’s so lovely to see them bond and nerd out over books, and Diana being back in her element triggers some nostalgia. We’re seeing her back where we first met her: in a library, bent over books in an environment where she feels strong and confident, no matter how hard her research might be. Her excitement and adrenaline are countered by Sarah’s sour mood.

While Phoebe and Diana talk about ancient collectors and make plans to read the entire catalog of the British Library, we realize Gallowglass has also been sitting right there for who knows how many hours. Motionless, he enjoys the scene without a word, simply doing his job as Diana’s guardian, only speaking when she makes plans to take a trip out of Mayfair.

Elsewhere in London, Peter Knox goes to see Father Hubbard after figuring out he possesses one of the lost pages. At the British Library, Diana comes to the same conclusion and also goes to see Hubbard. Thankfully he had not given up the page and reluctantly hands it to Diana. Above all, Hubbard believes in equality and unity; he was joining creatures together under the Congregation’s eyes as far back as 1590. He is not happy to give Diana the treasure he possesses, but he understands it’s the right thing to do. Standing with the de Clermonts now is the only way to imagine a create a future with no creature segregation.

Outnumbered as the only “regular” witch in the house, Sarah is out of her depth in London; she feels superfluous given that Diana already has so many people looking out for her. And she feels like her grief isn’t recognized due to the urgency of their plans, and she longs to be closer to Emily. She decides to go back to Madison, to the home she and Emily shared. Not even Fernando is able to persuade her to stay; he must combine forces with Gallowglass to convince Sarah that Diana does need her.

Layer by layer, the show is uncovering Gallowglass’s long and complicated history with Diana: here he reveals to Sarah that his grandfather Philippe tasked him with looking out for here; he’s waiting for centuries to protect her, to make sure history wouldn’t be altered and that she could make her way to Matthew. That is why Gallowglass is so fond of Diana: for centuries, she was an idealized, crystallized memory in his brain, his duty, a mission he was on the lookout for. Things are more complex than that, but all in due time.

Matthew’s climactic moment in New Orleans

Phoebe keeps dropping hints about wanting to become a vampire, but Marcus knows not to discuss life-altering choices over transatlantic phone calls. Phoebe’s determination gives him the resolve he needs, though, and he finally demands to see Ransome, claiming the right as his sire. He repeats to him that Matthew means no harm, that he has changed, and lets it slip that he has already refused to kill another blood-raged vampire in his line. Jack’s existence draws Ransome’s attention and he tracks him down to see for himself. Only after that does he agrees to meet Matthew, summoning him at his club.

In London, Phoebe’s research finally culminates in finding the owner of the third page: someone called T.J. Weston. It’s almost funny how powerful creatures — like Matthew himself — have spent centuries searching for the Book of Life but it took a couple of months for Phoebe, a 20-something former auction house employee, to locate its missing pages.

In New Orleans, Matthew is ready to repent for his sins. Refusing both of his sons’ help, he walks into the Domino Club alone, a place crawling with hostile vampires who want nothing more than to kill him in revenge. Marcus could grant him immunity and protection, but Matthew knows this is somewhere they can’t follow.

It’s remorse Ransome wants from Matthew, more than anything else. It’s owning up to his sins, recognizing the carnage he brought about. And Matthew is ready to atone: he surprises Ransome by naming each person in his clan he killed, by remembering little things about them and reliving their last moments out loud. Only then is it clear to the New Orleans clan that Matthew truly is haunted by the whole endeavor, that the massacre was ordered against his will, and why he needs to create a scion. Ransome relents; he will support Matthew so that they can all be safe.

On his way to the house, Matthew calls Diana, and it’s not to tell her the good news. He spent all night reciting the names of those he murdered like a holy confession; he needs the solace of Diana’s voice to ground him. When she asks how he is, he changes the subject; he’s not ready to face her and the fact that this might all still be for nothing.

His sons are waiting for him on the porch of the house, and they’ve never looked so relieved to see him. Internally, Marcus has already forgiven Matthew for everything, but now we see it. His allegiance is a tangible thing again.

The episode ends in Venice, where Benjamin has a proposition for Satu: team up and destroy the de Clermonts together. Satu, now freed from the influence of her grandmother and Knox, is a true agent of chaos. Having grown into her power and confidence, she refuses Benjamin’s offer: she wants to face Diana on her terms, on even ground, weaver against weaver.

Narratively, this episode is weaker than the others, but it’s made strong by spell-binding moments like Matthew reciting the names, which will thrill even the most skeptical viewers. Some scenes in the episode are linked by casualty rather than causality, and some events seem strung together and only loosely connected. It’s all because the show lacked the time to develop more organically. Still, the writing and the acting are divine.

Next week we’re on to Episode 4, my favorite of the season and possibly of the entire series. Prepare your handkerchiefs and buckle up!

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