Episode 5 of Carnival Row's captivating second season, entitled "Reckoning," opens with Philo solemnly surveying the devastation left by the police raid on the Row. His steps lead him homeward, a trail of anger and vengeance in the form of Kaine hot on his heels. As their fists clash in a fierce confrontation, Philo's plea for unity resonates—he needs Kaine's strength to aid Vignette in her dire situation.
Meanwhile, Vignette stands trial, the crowd's venomous whispers and jeers echoing through the chamber. Dombey's distorted narrative of events casts a sinister shadow, deliberately omitting the crucial roles played by Philo and Darius. Philo, desperate to reach Kaine's ear, underscores the injustice Vignette faces, a plea that finally pierces Kaine's anger, melting it into a reluctant truce. The realization that Philo's heart belongs to Vignette softens his stance.
In the halls of parliament, a bombshell revelation drops as Winetrout unveils incontrovertible evidence of Sophie's nefarious factory scheme, sending shockwaves through Jonah's composure. Winetrout's whispers of a darker conspiracy hint at Sophie's not being a lone wolf, but one with grand ambitions—to use her newfound wealth to buy every seat in parliament and ascend to the chancellorship.
Elsewhere, Sophie and Nilly's paths cross in an unexpected encounter, as they witness Nilly's brother being conscripted into the factory's grim workforce. Amidst the somber scene, Nilly offers a twisted congratulations, hailing Sophie as the Burgue's newest billionaire, while Sophie, for a fleeting moment, feels a liberating sense of freedom.
Millworthy's clandestine meeting with the Pact ambassador and Vir unfolds, the latter expressing gratitude for the weapons but maintaining a wary eye on Millworthy's true intentions. Vir's words carry a weighty warning—should he exploit this deal to aid the fae's escape from the Row, he would be branded a traitor to his class and an enemy of the Pact. Yet, Millworthy's resolve remains unshaken as he departs, leaving behind a trail of intrigue and uncertainty.
Within the confines of the Haruspex shop, Tourmaline's focus is intense as she delves into a ritual, her sole intention to aid Vignette. Darius, observing her intently, reminds her of the very darkness she strives to banish, her actions inadvertently echoing the magic she desires to eradicate. In an attempt to halt her, he enfolds her in a hug, his words imbued with tenderness as he pleads for her to consider Vignette's wish for her own salvation. Yet, Tourmaline pushes him away, her determination unyielding, and the ritual presses on.
A horrific vision seizes her, painting a grim picture of Vignette facing the guillotine's deadly embrace. Tourmaline's scream echoes through the shop, a raw cry of anguish. Collapsing into Darius' arms, she weeps, her tears mingling with his as she grapples with the horror before her.
Yet, Vignette herself, a picture of unflinching courage, mocks the baying crowd with a sly smirk, her bravery shining through even in the face of adversity. As she's escorted towards her carriage, Philo, ever resourceful, utilizes the moment to dispatch a cryptic message, urging her to brace herself for the following day's events.
Meanwhile, within the hallowed halls of parliament, Jonah and Sophie convene, the air thick with unspoken tensions. Jonah announces his acceptance of Sophie's marriage proposal, a decision that falls short of her expectations, for he is but a burden, not the ally she yearns for. Sophie, a master of manipulation, attempts to sway him, casting doubts on the wisdom of their union. But Jonah remains steadfast, and in a calculated move, Sophie presses her lips to his in a fleeting kiss, suggesting they make the announcement post the elections. He sees through her scheme yet acquiesces, only to be met with her abrupt departure, leaving him behind, a picture of frustration and hurt etched on his face.
Later, Sophie convenes with her ministers, her mind already plotting the downfall of Winetrout. Her plans are interrupted by a troupe of doctors, their warnings of the Bas Dubh's contagious nature ringing in her ears. They insist that, having held an infected fae child, she must undergo quarantine. Sophie acquiesces, her compliance a facade, for as the carriage heads towards the hospital, the truth dawns on her – this is a trap. Sure enough, the guards, acting on Jonah's orders, apprehend her, their betrayal a stark reminder of the political machinations that lie at the heart of their union.
As they concocted a daring rescue plan, Kaine and Philo's disagreements continued to escalate, their heads butting like clashing boulders. In a hurried rush, Darius and Tourmaline arrived, breathlessly informing Philo that time was of the essence—Vignette faced execution the very same night, leaving no room for delay. Philo's brow furrowed with concern, his mistrust of Kaine palpable. Darius, filled with remorse, apologized for his inability to offer more assistance.
Sophie's carriage trundled towards the Bleakness Keep, the grim fortress that held Vignette captive. She was roughly hauled within and tossed into a cell, its bars facing Vignette's across the divide. Vignette chuckled at the bitter irony, labeling it a twisted form of justice. Sophie countered, insisting her intentions were genuine, though she too had been caged by society's expectations as a woman. A bond formed between them, forged in their shared disdain for men who failed to accord women their due respect.
Elsewhere, Jonah confronted Millworthy with Sophie's alleged 'treason,' leaving the latter bewildered. Jonah clarified that, amidst national turmoil, a chancellor held the power to decree execution for acts of high treason. Moreover, Jonah uncovered Millworthy's secret alliance with Vir, his trust shattered, and ordered his immediate imprisonment at the Bleakness Keep for treasonous deeds.
That fateful night, their strategy crystallized: Kaine would serve as bait, distracting the vigilant guards while Philo stealthily sought out Vignette. Kaine pondered aloud the logistics of Philo's escape, given his lack of wings, only to be met with the former officer's brash confidence in simply walking out unscathed. Disguised as Philo's captive, they approached the Bleakness Keep, only to be met with a formidable obstacle—the gate guard, unyielding in his refusal to grant them entry.
Simultaneously, Jonah stalks into Sophie's presence, his voice dripping with malice as he commands her to pen a signed confession, her life hanging in the balance. Sophie's mind races, recognizing the duplicity in his words—that once she complies, he would seize both her fortune and her esteemed parliamentary seat. With a fierce determination, she shreds the confession to pieces, the act witnessed by Vignette, who watches in horror, branding Jonah a monster in a voice filled with disgust.
Unfazed, Jonah issues a chilling decree, consigning Sophie, Millworthy, and Vignette to the guillotine's inevitable embrace. Sophie, bound helplessly to the deadly contraption, dares Jonah with a final threat, daring him not to avert his gaze as she faces her fate. He falters for a moment, but then, callously, he looks away and triggers the mechanism, ending Sophie's life with brutal finality.
Vignette stands next in line, her fate seemingly sealed, until a flurry of chaos erupts. The sky-borne assassin, which Philo had mistakenly deemed fae, swoops in, slaughtering every guard in its wake. Its wrath is indiscriminate, Jonah falling victim to its deadly claws last.
As the dust settles, the creature turns its attention to Vignette, still helplessly tied to the guillotine. Outside, the chaos reaches a fever pitch as Kaine and Philo rush inside, finding the prison doors flung wide, prisoners liberated. Amidst the tumult, they stumble upon a disoriented Millworthy, who mutters that Vignette has vanished into the night sky, the mysterious creature following suit.
But their fleeting moment of relief is cut short as the remaining law enforcement officers close in, arresting Kaine and Philo amidst the lingering echoes of violence and despair.
