Episode 5 of Carnival Row unfolds amidst the echoes of a vibrant puppet show, as Moira approaches the charismatic puppeteer, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "I loved the show," she enthuses, her words lingering in the air. However, the tranquil moment is abruptly shattered by the arrival of a stern Constable, demanding to inspect the puppeteer's papers. To the disappointment of all, he is found wanting—lacking the necessary license—and promptly escorted to the police station.
At the station, Rycroft's solemn voice reverberates as he reveals a chilling detail: both victims were stripped of their livers. Whether the autopsy was conducted by a Puck's hand or not, it is clear that a sinister force desired their demise, and the specter of another strike looms large.
Later, Rycroft's journey deepens as he revisits the enigmatic witch, who, in a display of otherworldly prowess, resurrects the dead before his astonished gaze. Witnessing the dark magic firsthand, he beseeches her to end the creature's torment, yet realizes with a heavy heart that the creature's fate is inextricably linked to his own breath. Could this be a haunting premonition of a tragic fate awaiting him?
In the meantime, Imogen's determination hardens as she confides in Ezra about her contemplated alliance with Agreus, her voice steadfast even amidst his reservations. She vows, with every fiber of her being, that she will never allow anyone to jeopardize her family's safety, not as long as she draws breath.
Amid the escalating hostility fueled by Puck's antagonistic presence, a tea party that once buzzed with chatter descends into an awkward hush, leaving Agreus to bear the brunt of accusations and valiantly defend his honor. As Imogen seems poised on the precipice of succumbing to the oppressive weight of societal pressures, Ezra's unexpected display of warmth towards Agreus sends ripples of shock reverberating through the gathering, stunning onlookers and turning the tide in an unexpected direction.
Driven by a quest for answers, Rycroft returns to the headmaster's school, its halls echoing with a eerie quietude. As he meticulously searches the rooms for clues, his mind is transported to a bygone era, revisiting childhood memories where Darius dreamed of flight while Rycroft, a half-fae, kept his true identity hidden beneath a veil of secrecy.
Amidst the grievous aftermath of her husband's demise, Sophie, Longerbane's valiant daughter, rallies the political hall with a fervent call for equality, her words echoing with passion and resonating in rapturous applause. Meanwhile, at the enigmatic Fae House, Rycroft's arrival stirs curiosity as he inquires about Costin's mysterious paramour. The mistress, her tone cloaked in secrets, reveals that the girls were mere façades, shrouding the truth of another man's affection.
As Rycroft prepares to depart, an eerie cacophony disrupts the tranquility, Morange's canine companion whimpering upstairs in distress. Drawing near, he's met with a jolting repulse, flung back by a form shrouded in darkness and shadows, a fleeting glimpse of a monstrous presence that eludes full revelation.
Carnival Row's latest offering, burdened with stagnant plot development and a weighty emphasis on politically charged musings on racism, emerges as an eccentric interlude, its captivating conclusion and meager investigative progress in Rycroft's quest barely mitigating the lackluster pace. It's a peculiar decision, leaving viewers to ponder as the glacial narrative struggles to ignite their engagement.
Yet, from a production standpoint, the series continues to soar, despite intermittent forays into visual dimness. Carnival Row's visual panache remains unparalleled, each frame a testament to its craftsmanship. Let us hope this fleeting stumble is but a minor aberration, and that subsequent episodes will restore the balance, deepening the narrative threads and reinvigorating the story's pulse.
