Remember that time Lucy Lawless made out with a six-year-old? Yeah, it was pretty disturbing. You can’t really say Salem isn’t afraid to “go there” once a 47-year-old woman makes out with a six-year-old. Anyway, Salem was going a mile-a-minute this week. It was disappointing to find out that Marburg has three nights to attempt Baby John’s baptism by hellfire, so I can only assume the next two episodes will be the next two attempts. Hopefully I’m wrong, as Salem has a way of subverting my expectations, but if that is the case it could become redundant. Nevertheless, this was still a strong episode for the series, as the pieces moved closer together on the chessboard.
The best part of the episode is that all of the characters are all fully embroiled in Marburg’s plot, now that Hathorne appears to be one of her henchman. The plus side is that Cotton and John are now on Mary’s side (at least temporarily). The sight of him begging at her feet was a surprising turn for the character, as it seemed like he would be too proud to stoop to such levels.
It really appeared as if Marburg was going to meet her end tonight, which would have been extremely surprising. Alas, it was not meant to be as she was able to get her relict back from Mary. The hiding place of the relict was the same place Marburg talked to a bathing Anne way back in the season’s second episode. It had some insane security protecting it though, didn’t it? Isaac was revealed to be alive as well, which is wonderful. He was the heart of most of the first season (since Mary wasn’t very sympathetic back then), so it’s refreshing to know that he is alive (and will probably be killing Mercy soon).
Oh but how Mary will regret attempting to foil the Countess’ plan. She may have rescued Baby John (for now), but Marburg showed just how vindictive she could be. I thought George’s body was going to turn up, but it turns out she was arrested by Hathorne for sleeping with Wainright! Way to pull the rug out from under us Salem. It was too easy for Mary to get the relict, so something had to happen since we still have (only) three episodes left in the season.
Mary and Alden were able to continue their conversation from last week, as she explained to him why she became a witch (other than the whole unmarried pregnant woman thing). Her asking him for forgiveness was a nice moment of emotional nakedness from Janet Montgomery. Shane West also did some good work here, and it was nice to see Alden open to the idea of forgiveness.
Anne and Cotton also had a big moment this week, as they got married! The issue here is that Cotton is still under her love spell, so Anne is a bit delusional in thinking that any of it is authentic. It was nice to see Cotton call out Hathorne for arranging his attempted murder, though. Man I hate that guy.
Now we get to my big gripe with the episode, and it’s more a matter of personal sub-genre tastes. I’m just not a fan of possessed Baby John. The image of him with his head spinning before is pretty standard for the demon child sub-genre. As well is said child saying grotesque things, though him mentioning playing cat’s cradle with Cotton’s and John’s entrails made me chuckle. There’s just not much more that can be done with the sub-genre to make it feel fresh, so Salem has a daunting task ahead of itself. Baby John has been one of the least interesting parts of the season and it’s difficult to care for him now that he’s possessed. Maybe I’m just being a Debbie Downer here. What do you think?
Random Notes
- No Tituba this week. Pity.
- The look on John’s and Cotton’s faces when Baby John went all demon-y was a great moment of WTF realness from the actors.
- Isaac crying over Dottie’s corpse killed me.
- So that was the Devil himself tormenting Anne last week. It’s an interesting (read: fucking creepy) interpretation of the character.
- Mary and Alden just need to fuck and get it over with.
- I never in a million years thought I would say this but: Where’s Mercy?
- Loved Marburg’s tweak on the “Rock-a-bye-Baby” nursery rhyme (the baby drowns in the end).
- “Find it, destroy it, and the bitch can be run through with a dull blade.” -Mary, on the corpse Marburg keeps aboard her ship.
- “I have loved you in ways no woman ever has.” -Marburg to Sebastian. Gross.
- “You know I saw her once. Mousy little thing. I don’t know why the…Lord chose her.” -Marburg on the Virgin Mary.
- “My heart? You’re welcome to it. But I think it might be a little bitter for your taste.” -If I could just have a bottle episode of Mary and Marburg locked in a room trading quips I would be 100% satisfied and give the episode a 5/5 before even seeing it.
- “I will certainly try, Mrs. Mather.” -Not a funny line, but it was really sweet. My colleague Bree Ogden seems to think Cotton will die before the season ends. I disagree.