Last week ended with protagonist James Delaney mortally wounded on the cold streets of London. This hour we look to see how he survives his assassination attempt using his strange mix of allies. James will need to use his wits and gold to survive the relentless aggression from the British East India Company and beyond.
In the muddy flats near the docks, Winter and a few other children find the body of a man. After poking him with a stick, crabs exit a gaping wound in his chest. A girl remarks, “The fishes ate his heart out.” Winter remarks it might not have been the fishes. Winter spots the man’s silver tooth, confirming the body is that of the “Malay", James’s would- be assassin. Winter helps “harvest” the man’s silver tooth.
James sits restrained in Dr. Dumbarton’s work area. The doctor sutures up his abdominal wound while explaining, “Your devil’s saved you. My agent said he saw you commit unspeakable acts.” (Referring to James’s savage attack on the Malay.) Dumbarton notes that the Americans want him alive. Dumbarton observes James, “You take pain like a stone, is that something you learned in Africa?”
The doctor continues to question how James knew the name of the American operative “Carlsbad.” On hearing the name, James bites back the pain to implore Dumbarton to get a message to Thomas Jefferson and the President of the United States. The bemused doctor states he’ll get the message to Carlsbad. Dumbarton notes an unusual knife wounded James, guessing its origin to be Malay or Chinese. Dumbarton states he’ll continue to tend to James if James turns over the Nootka land to the United States. He asks James what his price is for the land.
“Tea,” James replies. Dumbarton scoffs, “Carlsbad, she said you were crazy.” James elaborates, “I want a trade monopoly from Fort George to Canton.” For such an arrangement, James will grant the land to the highest bidder. The wounded man muses he’d then have “all the tea in China.” Dumbarton notes he should have announced his intentions from the start that he might not found himself in such dire straits. James questions Dumbarton; he notes he revealed his agent Carlsbad is a woman.
King George speaks with his secretary Coop about James’s land and Delaney’s interest in trading with China. The Nootka land is on an important border. Coop informs the King that Delaney is “a savage of ill repute.” The King replies, “Then he is a man you’ll be able to do business with.”
James stumbles back into his home. Brace is alarmed at the condition of his master who requests brandy and bandages. James sits down, dousing himself with the brandy. He instructs Brace to board up the windows. Brace is annoyed at the similarities between James and his crazy deceased father. The servant doesn’t understand why he puts himself in this kind of danger. James orders Brace to call the carpenter and loosen his bandages.
Atticus and another large tattooed man row a small boat. They stop to pick up James, noting the gossip on the street about how he killed a man and ate his flesh. Brace advises James to “Not trust the snake.” (Referring to the large tattooed man.) Atticus proudly shows James a cache of guns. Atticus quibbles about his “business title” he notes the large man is his brother-in-law. The men offer James pork to eat but he declines, even after admitting to eating human flesh. James throws up off the side of the small vessel. James refuses to leave London. He requests to be taken to Lincoln’s Inn. He orders Brace to hand deliver a handwritten note to the secretary of the King.
Thoyt is interrupted by his clerk who informs him, “Some men with guns are here, James Delaney, he wishes to write a will.”
A while after, the clerk runs to the East India Company to relay the news regarding James Delaney’s new will.
Sir Strange meets with Wilton and Pettifer. They sadly tell him the assassin is dead and Delaney is still alive, news he is already aware of. He informs his underlying’s that the will states in the event of his death the Nootka land will go to the United States. Strange spits, “He’s a savage and cunning man! It is now in our urgent interest to keep him alive!” He barks at his subordinates to arrange a meeting with the King’s secretary Mr. Coop by noon the next day.
Delaney moves slowly around his boarded up home. Brace complains about Atticus and the company he keeps. James informs his servant he no longer has to worry about the East India Company or the Crown. “I’m only in danger from the Americans, the lesser of the three adversaries.”
James wades down into his flooded cellar, searching. He sees the ghostly woman in black reflected in the water. Winter sneaks up behind him, stating she sometimes sleeps in his basement. The girl adds, “I saw you do for the Malay, like a wolf you tore out his heart. Then, splash, you put him in the water.” Winter offers him the silver tooth from the dead man. She implores James to “teach me about magic, I want to be a wolf or maybe a bird, like the one on your neck.” James doesn’t answer her but warns her to stay away from his home, as it’s not safe there.
James wanders into a room with dried dusty flowers. He picks up perfume bottle and paints his hand with yellow and red pigments he finds on the desk. Again, James sees the white painted lady dressed in black, wading in the water. James sits on the floor in front of a fireplace, which has been boarded up with wood. Slowly, he breaks down the barrier and blows around the ashes from the fire. In the soot, he reveals a drawing of a bird which matches the one on his back. Brace enters, interrupting his contemplation. As usual, Brace is upset over James’s behavior, noting his breakfast is ready.
James begins to question Brace, “When was my mother last in this room?” Brace notes she was put in this room because she was “sick” for her own protection. James is annoyed, recalling how his mother was restrained and not allowed to leave his her room or speak her native “savage” tongue because they thought she was mad. Brace denies these allegations. James notes the bird in the soot and how it matches the one he received on his back in Africa when he was taken prisoner. He accuses the old servant, “You don’t speak, but you have the answers!” James touches the old man’s head. James sees the women in black one final time, she is laughing at him wildly.
James goes to visit his mother’s grave, a simple wooden plank outside of the churchyard set aside for “heathens, pagans and suicide deaths.” The marker reads, “Anne Delaney died March 1795, ‘Salish.’”
Sir Strange and Mr. Coop have a tense meeting at the East India Company. Coop implores Strange to find a common cause, noting the King is not fond the East India Company. Strange urges the King to “Forget India.” Coop warns Strange that he underestimates the King. Strange notes the Company underestimated James Delaney. The men brag about the number of spies they employ, including someone in Thoyt’s office. Strange laments the fact their problems “can no longer be solved with a musket.” Coop reveals the King has received a letter from Delaney stating the Crown can have the land if they can guarantee Delaney a trade monopoly from Vancouver to Canton. The Crown would happily accept such an arrangement, especially because it punishes the East India Company. Coop muses what the Company did to enrage James, but adds, “Assume I know.” Strange rips down the map of the Delaney territory noting Delaney has made the same offer to the United States, land for the trade monopoly. Coop adds that perhaps the two sides can find “common cause with the widow.”
Lorna acts on the stage in a rowdy performance about the dreaded Frenchman Napoleon. Coop observes the play from a private box. A woman enters, offering Coop “services” from the chorus girls or boys. But Coop insists on speaking to Lorna herself. He threatens the woman he’s on a mission from the King himself and he will execute her she does not bring his note to Lorna.
James takes a carriage to a dark brothel filled with men dressed as women, singing and entertaining. A man in drag runs upon seeing James. He follows her, despite her protests that “I’m spoken for.” James identifies her as Godfrey, the secretary of the East India Company. James threatens to expose the man’s secret life unless he complies with providing him with the minutes of the East India Company meetings. James promises him a weekly income but needs information immediately. Godfrey is frightened, and asks James how he knew about his secret, and confesses he has long been in love with James. James is almost tender and promises to protect him. But soon he slaps the man in order to get him to begin talking. Godfrey admits he knows about the meeting between Coop and Strange, noting they have found a “common cause” against him.
James sits at his desk writing to Zilpha. He tells her that he has restored their father’s company and insured the endeavor with Lloyd’s of London. He tells her he has readied a ship and is preparing to leave England. Zilpha sends him a reply. “I woke up from hypnosis when you left and realized the monstrosity of our sin. I want no part in your plans.” A montage shows James inspecting his ships as brother and half sister share these intimate letters. James tells her husband “is already gone.” (Now that he knows of her past incestuous deeds.) He warns there “is treachery all around them.” Zilpha replies, detailing how her husband abuses her for her past with James and how she “deserves” it. James answers that they used to trust each other, he calls her husband a fool. He knows she can’t be tamed by religion. Zilpha states she will no longer read his letters but vows to burn them unopened. James, undeterred states he will “visit her in her dreams” and calls her “his love.” One last reply from Zilpha, “I’m your sister, all else is a lie.”
James arrives home to an unexpected visitor, Lorna. The actress declares she has hired the best lawyer in town to fight for her claim. Her main interest is in the house and will give it to James in return for the Nootka land. James throws her careful prepared document in the fire. Lorna is upset, stating that he has just burned her letter of intent. James explains why the house is boarded up, warning her she is in danger if she stays with him. Lorna seems to have the latest information about regarding the new will and the negotiations with the Americans over the land. James appears unimpressed by her abilities to gather intelligence. Lorna boasts of a relationship with Mr. Coop. Lorna does peak James’s interest by claiming she has personal effects belonging to his late father and mother. Her words cause James to see the ghost woman in black; he slips back into his mother’s native tongue.
James summons Brace to make up his mother’s old room for Lorna and to “make her welcome.” He warns his alleged stepmother, “If you are in contact with the King you are already in grave danger.” James states she can stay there while “we sort out our business.”
James goes out to the shipping business offices. Thorne, his wicked brother-in-law pays him a visit under the guise of extending him an offer of insurance on his new ship. James notes he plans to leave for the West, not for Africa as Thorne has assumed. The two men sniff at each other appraisingly as aggressive dogs. Thorne decides to stay and accepts a cup of coffee. Thorne details his abusive relationship with Zilpha; he relishes punishing her stating it makes him “hard and angry.” Throne states his wife accepts his treatment because she “knows she deserves it.” Thorne admits he never had any intentions of extending James insurance but rather came to gloat about his sexual dominance of James’s half-sister and lover. Thorne puts it more simply, “I came to thank you.”
Zilpha walks through a cemetery and enters a church where James is waiting for her. James is bemused to as why she called the meeting. “Shall we pray?” Zilpha says, “I used to think we were the same person.” James insists that they are. She moves to straddle his lap and kisses him deeply on the mouth. Seconds later, she straightens her skirts and walks away stoically. “I never want to see you again,” James calls after her, insisting that they will speak again.
Lorna practices her lines in the dank Delaney living room. James loudly unrolls maps on the table in an attempt to distract her. Lorna insists she will make it to tonight’s performance despite James’s warning. “You are a weakness, they will find you and use you!” Lorna leaves the room in a huff. Brace offers to kill her and her canary. James instead orders his servant to summon two carriages.
Thorne and Zilpha share a tense evening meal. Thorne reprehends his wife for “bleeding.” They have been trying to have a child; Thorne is desperate for an heir. He blames her. Fiendishly he adds, “I’m sorry I’m not related to you!” (Implying her love for James is keeping her infertile with him.) He continues to use disgusting language and throws dishes at their frightened house servant.
The stage is lively with a mostly male crowd chanting for the appearance of “Madame Vestris” one of Lorna’s personas. She appears in a very short dress to perform for the hungry crowd.
Lorna leaves the theater cautiously looking over her shoulder. A well-dressed woman in a carriage calls out to her, offering her a ride home. Lorna accepts, but the woman makes her true intentions clear by kissing the actress full in the mouth. The woman explains, “I’m a lady with very particular tastes.” (Ugh, right out of 50 Shades of Grey dialogue.) The lady suggests they can have relations while the Duke watches them. Lorna flees the carriage only to be caught by the rotund Duke who grabs her by the throat. In an instant, the Duke recoils from having been stabbed by the actress. James points a gun at Lorna’s attackers and the pair escapes. The Duke shouts after Lorna, “I’ll see you in the gallows before first mass!”
In a dark secluded place, James hands Lorna a large diamond. He urges her to use it and flee for Paris. Lorna refuses the gem and to leave London. She disappears alone. (Not smart.)
At home Brace notes he didn’t light the fire in Lorna’s room so that she will be forced to fall asleep in the dark and damp. James notes the actress is in real danger now after stabbing the Duke. Lorna is shown lying wide-awake in her room.
The series certainly is living up to its name. Taboo subjects abound, including cannibalism and incest. Homosexual characters also have to navigate the society’s condemnation of their existence. The thread of greed and deception unifies most of the character’s flaws. Thorne’s behavior and words are perhaps the most disturbing of all, especially since he considers himself a “righteous Christian.”
Overall, the story is moving along as a slow but compelling mystery series with a few horror elements thrown in. Tom Hardy’s performance unifies the series and makes it satisfying abet somewhat troubling to watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment