Review: Carnival Row revs up the engines In Episodes 203 and 204
Episode 204: “An Unkindness of Raven”
The show turns the spotlight on Agreus and Imogen, now safely (?) sequestered in Ragusa, a port city controlled by Pact Rebels of a pseudo-Bolshevik persuasion who eschew the class system. Organized by “Block leader” comrade Kastor (George Georgiou), a cross of political commissar and taskmaster, the couple are put to work in a factory.
Slowing way, way down for Agreus and Imogen’s imprisonment tale, “An Unkindness of Raven” becomes a bit slow and pedantic, but still enjoyable. It’s a conversational story as both characters discover the light and dark sides of the system they’ve been pressed into, and the intimate moments between them are compelling.
But there is no peace back in the steam-powered Burgue. Philo’s attempt to ward off Vignette and the Raven’s attack on a policeman involves a wild action scenario. In the end, the two lovers are more divided than ever. A minor antagonistic character proves to have a decent side that may help Philo in the future.
Karla Crome sparkles as Tourmaline, and her scenes with Mima Blodwen (the wonderfully mysterious Jacqueline Boatswain) shine with both desperation and dark humor. As Tourmaline’s narrative unfolds and her peril increases, she discovers another character’s dark secret: one might feel that she’ll be the key to the final victory at the end…
“An Unkindness of Raven” isn’t as polished an episode as “The Martyr’s Hand,” but delivers a solid punch nonetheless. The uneasy quiet of the first half of the episode amplifies the violence of the chase scenes to follow, along with the terrible unraveling of relationships and plans. A lot happens by the end, and the last scene is a good old-fashioned cliffhanger.
Episode Grade: B+
Next. Carnival Row’s final season gets off to strong start with Episodes 1 and 2. dark
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