Episode 1 of Carnival Row's thrilling second season kicks off with a daring escape as Vignette and the Black Raven slice through the barbed wire encircling the Row, soaring into the night sky. Their mission: to infiltrate a heavily guarded military train and procure vital medicine, adhering strictly to a code of non-violence.
Meanwhile, in the gritty underworld of Boz's fighting pits, Philo engages in a grueling battle against a trio of supernatural adversaries. Emerging victorious, he spurns the offered reward, instead requesting a favor.
The Black Raven's return to the Row reveals a desolate landscape transformed into a slum, where faes and fauns struggle to survive amidst the rubble, their wings clipped by restrictions. They make their way to Afissa's makeshift clinic, where the sickly glow of Bas Dubh afflicts numerous faes, their inability to fly a cruel punishment. Kaine, the stoic leader of the Black Raven, tenderly attends to his beloved mate, Oona, who hovers perilously close to the brink of death. Her selflessness shines through as she refuses the scarce medicine, knowing others need it more. Weakened, she succumbs to unconsciousness.
Vignette's heart heavy, she makes her way to the shared abode she shares with Philo, their embrace a comforting balm for their mutual concerns. She worries over his dangerous exploits in the fighting pits, while he confesses his motivations stem from loyalty to Darius, his werewolf comrade. Their conversation shifts from somber to playful, jesting about Vignette's need for a bath, their flirtatious banter a fleeting respite from the harsh realities outside.
Elsewhere, Millworthy rides through the Burge, a stark witness to the economic turmoil gripping the land. His journey culminates in a chilling spectacle as Jonah Breakspear, the newly appointed chancellor, mercilessly executes fauns accused of murdering his parents. Amidst the cries for mercy, one faun pleads innocence, claiming they spared his mother, but Jonah's ears are deaf to reason, sealing the fate of the accused.
Ezra strides confidently into the throng, his eyes betraying a palpable sense of awe as Jonah's oration, a divisive tale weaving between supernatural beings and mortals, stirs the masses into a fervent uproar. His voice, laced with righteous indignation, declares a perpetual enmity towards the 'Critch,' leaving Sophie's countenance radiant with pride.
Yet, amidst this tumult, Millworthy approaches, his plea a gentle whisper amidst the storm. He implores Jonah to witness the dire plight of the Row and offer a glimmer of compassion. But Jonah, frayed by the incessant unrest, scoffs at the notion, instead decreeing that the severed heads of the fauns shall be mounted as a grim testament on the walls of the Row. Tourmaline, a witness to this grim spectacle, stands aghast, her expression a testament to the gravity of the moment.
Sophie, eavesdropping on the clandestine whispers of the ministers, overhears their sinister schemes—to seize her seat through a reelection, their tongues dripping with venom as they disparage Jonah's policies. She hurries to his side, finding him shrouded in a cloak of misery and self-doubt, for the truth is, the fauns who met their fate by the guillotine had no hand in the demise of his parents.
"We must stand tall," she urges, her voice a beacon amidst the storm. "For a Pact ambassador approaches, and the ministers conspire to replace us at every turn." Jonah, his shoulders sagging with the weight of a destiny he never sought, confesses his reluctance for the political arena. But Sophie, ever the steadfast supporter, reminds him of the prophecy, one that whispers of greatness for the Breakspear son.
As Millworthy sets out towards the Row, his past acquaintances shun him like the plague. Philo, however, intercepts him, a somber counsel in the face of despair. He cautions Millworthy against pinning his hopes on Jonah, instead planting the seed of an audacious plan—to stand as the Chancellor, leveraging his status as the eldest Breakspear heir and unleashing a scandal that would unravel Jonah's foundation. Millworthy, initially deeming the idea reckless, concedes to lend a hand, strategizing to expose himself at the upcoming state banquet, where the Pact ambassador awaits, as a bold stroke to alter the course of events.
At that fleeting instant, Tourmaline's gaze falls upon a group of boys recoiling from an ominous door, and she cautiously advances towards it. Her eyes widen as she beholds the lifeless form of Aoife, her azure eyes staring vacantly. Upon brushing her fingers against the door's surface, a vivid vision engulfs her: Philo, firing frantically at an unseen assailant that threatened her very existence. The enchantment shatters abruptly, shattered by an unexpected clamor, prompting Tourmaline to flee in haste.
Kain solemnly informs Vignette that the fairy folk have convened to bestow upon her the esteemed Deagh nos—the Black Raven's mark, a testament to her triumphant supply mission. Vignette is deeply touched by this honor. Just as the ceremony seems complete, Dahlia, the formidable leader, arrives at the eleventh hour to administer the brand herself, yet her words carry a stern warning: never to defy her authority again.
Tourmaline, now attending to Vignette's fresh emblem, briefly reunites with her friend before abruptly departing, a veil of secrecy shrouding her thoughts. As she strolls homeward, Tourmaline's steps falter, and she finds herself amidst an eerie silence, the world around her seemingly abandoned. Aoife's ghostly presence reappears, this time exuding a haunting blue mist that Tourmaline unwittingly inhales. Suddenly, she experiences the world through the eyes of a savage creature, its violent rampage claiming the life of Anders, a vigilant guard. Regaining consciousness, Tourmaline is horrified to discover that her actions have reduced a helpless cat to a grisly end.
The police apprehend Philo, their actions devoid of explanation, only to deposit him at the doorstep of his comrade, Officer Berwick. Berwick reveals the brutal murder of Anders aboard the supply train, casting a shadow of suspicion over the Black Raven. He implores Philo, once a respected inspector, to lend his expertise, but Philo's loyalty remains steadfast, refusing to betray his kin. Dombey's intervention further complicates matters, intimidating Berwick while sending Philo back into the fray.
Meanwhile, Imogen's slumber is marred by nightmarish visions of Ezra's blade piercing her belly, followed by the heartbreaking loss of her unborn child. She awakens, trembling, within the confines of her cabin aboard a ship. Agreus, ever attentive, vows to pamper her with an array of new garments, seeking to soothe her frayed nerves. Though contentment lingers on the high seas, Agreus confesses his weariness of their perpetual escape. Imogen, ever the optimist, convinces him of their freedom at sea, urging him to abandon their nomadic ways. But their tranquility is short-lived as the sound of chaos ruptures the air, revealing the looming threat of a Pactish airship, its intentions clear: either follow or face the consequences.
