Episode 4 of Carnival Row's second season, aptly titled "An Unkindness of Raven," commences with a heartening scene: Imogen and Agreus, their laughter echoing, step into their abode, greeted warmly by Ezra's cheers. But this fleeting joy shatters into a chilling nightmare as gunfire tears through the air, jolting Agreus awake to reality. Reassured by Imogen's calming words that they're safe, he ventures out for breakfast, only to encounter a distraught woman railing against the injustice of her family's eviction to accommodate Leonara's favor for him and Imogen. Cast into Kastor's workforce, where men and women toil side by side as comrades, Imogen learns that Kastor himself reigns as their block's unyielding leader.
After a meal that barely satisfies, they make their way to the factories, the beating heart of the New Dawn's armory. Agreus declares his intention to labor alongside Imogen, sparking a heated debate with Kastor over his past deeds—the execution of a slave ship's crew. As punishment for Imogen's perceived idleness, Kastor denies her food, prompting Agreus to share his own portion, defying their leader's scornful questioning of his loyalty and his feelings for a human. On the brink of confrontation, Imogen offers to contribute her labor, a gesture that's interrupted by Leonara's sudden arrival, eliciting a chorus of "Rovnost" from the workers, leaving the couple bewildered.
Kastor informs Agreus that Leonara seeks Imogen's ear, prompting his reluctant departure. In private, Leonara delves into Imogen's firsthand experience of labor, emphasizing the collective ownership of their accomplishments. Imogen is further astonished to discover Leonara's union with Tomas, a human, as they bond over the quirks of their interspecies partnerships, finding humor in the differences of hooves and feet. Leonara's offer of freedom to Imogen is tinged with caution, warning of Agreus's potential resistance and its potential repercussions.
Meanwhile, Agreus's investigations into Hannah, the woman whose quarters they now occupy, yield nothing but Kastor's dismissive denial of her existence. This revelation clouds Agreus's mood, casting a shadow over Imogen's optimistic belief that they belong here. He confides in her Leonara's dark secret—the murder of the ship's crew—urging caution in a place built on lies. Yet, Imogen's heart remains hopeful, embracing the illusion of acceptance amidst the growing tensions.
At that pivotal juncture, Ezra's encounter with Leonara was fraught with purpose as he offered his assistance, fresh from divulging news of the Pact's secret weapons deal with the Burgue. Meanwhile, in the heart of Burgue, Dombey retreated to the warmth of his home, indulging in playful moments with his beloved wife and cherubic child. As the night deepened, he shared a drink with his father, who toasted his son's brutal act of eliminating Oona. The tranquility was shattered by the sound of an intruder, and Dombey's eyes fell upon Philo and Darius, accompanied by his own son, Rafe. Rage seethed within him, yet Philo's urgent words of the Black Raven's pursuit quelled his anger momentarily. Darius's sudden alert to a fae's presence further complicated matters, prompting Philo's swift exit, only to confront Vignette, who admonished him for aligning with the wrong side. Philo's efforts to avert catastrophe were futile as the Black Raven relentlessly pursued Dombey and Darius. In the chaos, Philo joined their flight, but the fae eluded them, forcing Darius to transform into a werewolf, his fierce form a barrier against their pursuers. Kaine emerged, engaging Philo in battle while Dombey slipped away unnoticed. The authorities' arrival spelled doom for Philo, but Dombey's timely intervention, tinged with his characteristic sarcasm, secured his freedom.
Tourmaline, consumed by fear, raced to the Mima, her voice laced with urgency as she recounted a vision of her own demise at the hands of an unseen murderer. The Mima offered a glimmer of hope, a recipe to purge the darkness, but warned of its bitter cost—a price Tourmaline seemed willing to pay, heedless of the Mima's caution. Undeterred, she ventured to the Haruspex shop, her quest for salvation interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Darius, now in his wolfen form. Panic seized her, but his pained transformation back to humanity softened her heart. Despite his pleas for her to stay away, Tourmaline approached, offering solace and aid as he recounted the horrors inflicted upon him by the Burguish.
In the Row, a carefree Philo shared a drink with Vignette amidst the shadows of a bar, both of them acknowledged as enemies by opposing factions. Their pleas for one another's escape fell on deaf ears as they reminisced about simpler times. However, the tranquility was shattered by the brutality of the police, who unleashed a reign of terror on the patrons. Vignette, swift as the wind, soared to warn the Black Raven of their dire situation, her heart heavy as she beheld their numerical disadvantage. In a desperate bid for peace, she offered herself as a bargaining chip, urging Dombey to call off his forces. Philo, helplessly witnessing the events unfold, could only stand by as fate took its inevitable course.
