Captain Nemo is a complicated man driven more by revenge and finding treasure than being heroic. But he's growing into the role of hero little by little. The newest episode, "Cold War," shows us how he’s becoming more compassionate and willing to compromise.
The Nautilus reaches the Arctic and the crew break out blankets and jackets. Nemo gifts Benoit’s compass to Humility moments before the Dreadnought’s cannons begin blasting. The chase is on, with both captains pushing their ships recklessly, but both end up lodged in thick ice.
The Nautilus has a broken bolt, and they need a forge to repair it. They don’t have one but their nemesis does.
Nemo has Blaster construct a bomb. He then stations Jiacomo on the upper deck and walks across the ice to converse with Millais and Youngblood from the Dreadnought. They strike a deal: the Nautilus can use the Forge on the Dreadnought if it will then tow the Dreadnought out of the ice.
It’s interesting how Nemo refuses to hand over Humility without her consent, yet did so without blinking when it came to Blaster. The boy proved himself a capable crew member, so I’m puzzled as to why Nemo didn’t object.
Millais rushes forward and confronts Nemo about their past. Things get tense when he levels his gun. One shot and Jiacomo will blow up the Nautilus. Nemo claims to not know how he ruined his former friend’s life. He lies very easily and I can’t help but wonder if he's doing it now. Millias eventually backs down, but for how long?
The deal is struck. Loti prepares to take Humility to the Dreadnought, essentially saying her goodbye to Kai. Nemo and Humility’s relationship has become awkward; both want her to stay, but neither says it.
The crews trade insults as the damaged part is brought to the Dreadnought. Humility meets with her fiancé and is predictably unimpressed. He thinks he’s charming her but is only coming off as snobbish.
Nautilus review, Episode 7, "Cold War"
Back in London, Crowley is confronted by his government superior, who is aware of the Nautilus and its abduction. Ever arrogant, Crowley isn’t cowed.
Humility works at the forge on repairing the bolt while her fiancé sits nearby, writing poetry. That’s a marriage in trouble before it begins. Blaster reaches out to Pitt in hopes he can help find his father, who he believes is an Englishman, Lord Farley. Pitt agrees and lies about knowing the man.
Out on the ice, the two crews are playing a game of rounders, which is essentially baseball. Pitt brings out tea and fancy snacks to enjoy while watching. He ends up joining the Dreadnought team while Blaster stands with the Nautilus team. Millais, watching Pitt being condescending, is reminded of his days on a team in college where Nemo displayed the same attitude. He steps up to bat for team Nautilus, angering Pitt.
An all-out brawl breaks out because of objections to an umpire’s call. Still angry, Pitt reveals to Blaster that what he believes is the name of his father is really the name of a biscuit company. The boy is crushed. Nemo later consoles him, showing a softer side.
When Nemo tries to convince Millais to join the Nautilus crew, he learns the truth about why his father signed over his lands to the company. It’s a humbling moment for him. Blaster returns to the Nautilus.
On the Dreadnought, Pitt refuses to let Humility return to the Nautilus and sends back the mended bolt with his men. She argues with him and, as the conversation grows heated, he becomes verbally and physically abusive towards her.
Loti stabs Pitt, allowing both women to flee. She again shows her fighting skills in a chase up on deck before she and Humility leap overboard. They make it to the Nautilus.
The Nautilus begins towing the Dreadnought through the ice. When Pitt takes it upon himself to fire a cannon, he is arrested, but his action breaks the deal. Nemo works to release the tethering chains and the soldiers on the Dreadnought shoot at him. Successful, he dodges bullets to get inside and submerge the Nautilus.
This episode ends with Nemo changing the planned course and taking the Nautilus beneath the arctic ice shelf. They could be submerged for six days, which will put their food and air at risk, but he demands they proceed.
Verdict
There is plenty of action in this episode, though mostly in small doses. There are a few odd bits, such as Humility’s father teaching her how to use a forge. I know women can do these things, but for the time period this is set in and her family’s social standing, it’s highly unusual. I’m all for her forging, but the men around don’t question it. Although Pitt does curse her education and demand she put on a dress. Also, for the ship to have a forge, there should be a blacksmith onboard to use it. Why wouldn’t they be the one making the repairs?
I’m curious to see if the Nautilus will now have two ships pursuing her, given that the English government is taking a more active interest. That would certainly bring more urgency to the story.
More Nautilus reviews:
- Episode 1, "Anahata"
- Episode 2, "Tick, Tick, Boom"
- Episode 3, "What Lies Beneath"
- Episode 4, "Slippery When Wet"
- Episode 5, "Anguille Fumée"
- Episode 6, "The Big Blue"
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