Penny Dreadful – “And Hell Itself My Only Foe” Review. Without Limits.

Season 2, Episode 9

Air Date: Sunday, June 28, 2015, 10PM E/P on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“You have been given a great power; one day, you will use it and take your foothold place over these mortal animals.” – Hecate

Penultimate episodes can catapult a series into the stratosphere, signaling an epic season finale to come, and that is exactly what “And Hell Itself My Only Foe” does. From the moment it begins until the shocking end, you find yourself on a dark roller coaster of emotions. With Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton) in danger, Ferdinand Lyle (Simon Russell Beale) suggests to Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) and Sembene (Danny Sapani) that they quickly find Vanessa (Eva Green) and Ethan (Josh Hartnett) to help save him. Meanwhile, Lily (Billie Piper) and Dorian (Reeve Carney) explore the unique possibilities of their new friendship.

Going in, I had no expectations of what was to come and yet I expected nothing less than a stellar showing considering this is the penultimate episode. Series creator and writer John Logan has solidified his place in my heart and soul with his masterful writing and imagination. I’m blown away at the audacity of the events that transpire in “And Hell Itself My Only Foe,” and the brilliant acting all around continues to garner my highest praise.

To be in a room with only your worst fears and guilt to haunt you would terrify anyone.

In last week’s “Memento Mori,” Sir Malcolm found himself in a room filled with the ghosts of his past. Though it may all be in his head, what he sees, hears, and feels is quite real. Better still, it’s completely maddening. Sir Malcolm has done his fair share of misdeeds in his time, but no matter how much penance he tries to achieve in the dank soup kitchens below London, his own guilt and shame will be his undoing unless he is saved. Dalton gives a compelling performance as he cowers away from the ghosts of his children, Peter (Graham Butler) and Mina (Olivia Llewellyn), and his late wife Gladys (Noni Stapleton) – each a grim reminder of his selfish behavior. Director Brian Kirk does a fabulous job of making you feel as if these spirits are surrounding you. I found myself letting out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as Sir Malcolm desperately tries to escape his prison.

Mr. Roper (Stephen Lord) has balls of steel…but it won’t be enough to save him.

After dealing with an unwelcome visitor at the cottage, Vanessa and Ethan head back to London where they, along with Ferdinand, Victor, and Sembene must find a way to save Sir Malcolm before it’s too late. But it won’t be easy and Ferdinand warns them the night is when the witches are their most powerful. Of all the adventurers, it is Sembene who surprises me the most. “We go tomorrow, in the day, all of us. We save that man, kill that woman, and all her like. It will be unholy slaughter.” Well said, Sembene. With Ferdinand’s duplicitous activities now out in the open, the adventurers can concentrate on the task at hand – destroying Evelyn (Helen McCrory) and her minions in order to save Sir Malcolm. If only it were that simple. Again, my compliments to Logan for his magnificent writing; he truly weaves an intricate web of intrigue and suspense that leaves you gasping, cringing, and picking your jaw up off the floor with all the twists he carefully places within “And Hell Itself My Only Foe.”

Sembene leads Ethan, Ferdinand, and Victor through and underground tunnel as they head to Evelyn's mansion.

Sembene leads Victor, Ferdinand, and Ethan through and underground tunnel to avoid the watchful eyes of Inspector Rusk (Douglas Hodge) as they head to Evelyn’s mansion.

Another unexpected turn of events comes from Hecate (Sarah Greene). Her “ambitions” are transparent – she seeks to replace her mother as the head witch in charge. It is what Hecate tells Ethan that throws a monkey wrench into the grand scheme of things. “The Wolf of God; you have been chosen. You are unlike all others and you have a profound destiny. Will you seize it?” Even more revealing is Ethan’s reaction. I don’t know how his role as a werewolf and his connection to Vanessa will play out if he chooses to walk down a different path. His growing hatred for what he is clouds his judgment. It’s understandable; he blacks out when he shifts into the wolf and is no longer in control of himself. He’ll tear anyone and anything apart – friend or foe – when he’s in this state.

The surprises don’t stop with just the supernatural goings on in Evelyn’s house or the immortal rapture Lily and Dorian display; oh no. John Clare (Rory Kinnear) gets a rude awakening when a most unlikely person sets a trap. John’s false sense of acceptance among his employers, the Putney family, has finally come crashing down. Let’s hope Lily notices her beloved mate is missing sooner rather than later; however, I believe the Putney family has only poked a slumbering bear. I am still in shock over Lavinia’s (Tamsin Topolski) betrayal.

Overall

“And Hell Itself My Only Foe” is fantastic. With the adventurers separated, each must figure out how to survive. Given how much closer Vanessa is to danger than she’s ever been before, who will be the one to save her now? I don’t think I’ve been as anxious about a season finale as I am with Penny Dreadful. The moon is full…how many of our adventurers will survive the night?

Let me know what you think of “And Hell Itself My Only Foe.” Leave me a comment below or tweet me @judybopp. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Tune in to the season two finale of Penny Dreadful, Sunday, July 5 at 10PM E/P, only on Showtime.

For more on the show, go to the official site http://www.sho.com/sho/penny-dreadful/home.

Visit the Production Blog http://blog.penny-dreadful.com/.

Penny Dreadful Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennyDreadfulOnShowtime.

Twitter: @SHO_Penny, as well as these cast members: @reevecarney and @billiepiper.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pennydreadful/

Tumblr: http://pennydreadful.tumblr.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shonetworks/penny-dreadful-modern-victorian-style/

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.