Episode 7 of Carnival Row plunges viewers into a grim reality as Rycroft finds himself ensnared and tossed into the murky depths of the station's cells, where men lurk, malice etched on their faces, intent on inflicting harm. Yet, amidst the darkness, Rycroft's indomitable spirit rises, and he valiantly fends off his attackers, just in time for the police's belated intervention. Ordered to vacate his cell, he is ushered to one inhabited by the fae, where an unexpected encounter with Vignette awaits, her eyes flashing with curiosity as she inquires about his presence behind bars.
Elsewhere, whispers of a burgeoning alliance swirl as Jonas and Sophie's intimacy deepens, their bodies entwined in a secret union. Sophie presses him to ponder her proposal, while Ezra confronts Agreus, his voice laced with urgency, beseeching him to relinquish his time with Imogen. Agreus's refusal stands firm, a bastion of determination until societal acceptance becomes his passport. However, a turn of events sees the neighbors extend an olive branch, inviting him to tea to deliberate over the painting he had outbid them for. But fate intervenes, as Imogen's arrival steers their conversation towards the canvas and his troubles, ultimately leading to a passionate embrace and a night of love under the stars.
Back at the station, Portia's sudden appearance shakes the foundations of Rycroft's predicament. Her revelation that she fabricated the accusations of his half-blood heritage forces the police to reevaluate their hasty judgment. Confronted with the truth, Rycroft's pride shattered, he confesses his true lineage, unable to sustain the charade any longer. This admission, however, only fuels the inspectors' disdain, leaving him to rot in his cell, forsaken and forgotten. Dombey's sinister machinations loom large, ensuring that a trial remains but a distant dream. Rycroft, forewarned by a compassionate officer, braces himself for the inevitable storm that threatens to engulf him.
In the darkest recesses of the shadows, the Puck's patience snapped, their thirst for vengeance igniting as they ruthlessly dispatched the man who had wronged them in the previous episode, crushing his skull beneath a colossal block of stone. This simmering subplot involving the cultist group has been gradually intensifying over the past episodes, now erupting into a force to be reckoned with. Could this be the spark that ignites the explosive finale looming ahead?
As the episode draws to a close, Rycroft is abruptly whisked away by the police under the cover of night, his destination a mystery until dawn breaks over an abandoned house. Shackled to a solitary chair, his hands bound behind his back, he's plunged into a world of uncertainty. From the shadows, Absalom emerges, his face etched with severity as he tears the hood from Rycroft's head, his gaze piercing and menacing.
Carnival Row's penultimate episode serves as a poignant bridge, meticulously crafting a narrative crescendo towards the grand finale. The 45-minute odyssey seamlessly weaves together the intricate threads, with Imogen's blossoming romance with Agreus standing out as a testament to character development at its finest. After lingering in the wings for some time, her arc culminates beautifully as she sheds the shackles of outdated beliefs, embracing her authentic emotions with unbridled fervor.
Rycroft, too, undergoes a profound transformation, embracing his half-blood heritage with a quiet defiance that underscores the world's entrenched racism and xenophobia. Yet, amidst this tapestry of emotions and revelations, lingering questions hover like mist, begging for resolution. The finale, a grand spectacle spanning 65 minutes, holds the promise of shedding light on these enigmas and bringing closure to Carnival Row's captivating tale. Until then, this episode stands as a triumphant testament to the series' ability to craft immersive, emotionally charged storytelling that sets the stage for an unforgettable finale.
