Recap: Carnival Row Season 1 Ep. 5 “Grieve No More” – Nothing Is As It Seems
Series Launched Aug. 30, 2019. All Episodes Available on Amazon Prime Video.
Reviewer Rating:
If you haven’t watched Episode 5 “Grieve No More”
***** WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD *****
As we dive head first into Carnival Row episode 5, “Grieve No More,” things are definitely murky with several characters, and with the introduction of Sophie Longerbane (Caroline Ford) in episode 4 “The Joining of Unlike Things,” the political landscape is also shifting. There is still Headmaster Finch’s (John Malafronte) murder to investigate and we learn more about both Philo’s (Orlando Bloom) and Aisling’s (Erika Stárková) past.
As “Grieve No More” begins, a familiar face in previous episodes becomes more prominent. Runyan Millworthy (Simon McBurney), a human friend of Aisling’s from long ago, has his traveling theater with his creature actors, the tiny Kobolds. During a street performance, his play mirrors the recent tragedies on Carnival Row – the heinous murders of Aisling and Headmaster Finch.
He ends the play with a hauntingly beautiful song sung by the late Aisling, the lyrics are powerful and hold a secret.
“Now rest you there in spite of the storm raging. Faith goes and comes as long as the seasons are changing. I am sure there is a safe valley for you and for me.”
In the sea of drab and monotone colors, Moira (Leanne Best), the proprietor of the Tatterby Hotel, stands out. Her fuchsia hair and red cloak make her quite easy to spot. She compliments Millworthy on the play as they both knew the deceased subjects in which the play pays homage.
Philo (Orlando Bloom) consults with the Haruspex (Alice Krige). In her shop, there is a medical poster depicting internal organs.
Philo: “What does this say?”
Haruspex: “Repository of secrets. The liver hold multitudes for those who know how to see.”
In both murders, the victims’ livers were taken. Could there be another Haruspex wreaking havoc on Carnival Row?
Throughout “Grieve No More,” many of the characters’ storylines are explored, perhaps a bit much. I think the focus would have done well to stay on Philo’s investigation and the flashbacks to his past as a young boy who lived in the orphanage. But with only eight episodes in this first season of Carnival Row, sometimes, a writer must insert a bit of everyone’s business in every episode.
Major Plot Points in “Grieve No More” To Keep An Eye On:
The Breakspear Prophecy
The Breakspear family is definitely not as tight knit as Piety (Indira Varma) would have hoped for. She seems desperate for her son’s affection toward her as a doting mother but all Jonah (Arty Froushan) can see, or rather hear, is her heels clacking on the cold stone cement of the baths where he was kept prisoner for weeks.
And to what end? Was it to teach Jonah a lesson about going to the Fae brothel house The Tatterby Hotel? Piety goes on and on about a so-called prophecy regarding Absalom’s (Jared Harris) and his son’s greatness.
“Naked and covered with ash I scaled Mount Carpe. On my hands and knees, I climbed to consult the Augurs before I married your father. And they told me that he would be a great man and that his son would be greater.”
Is fulfilling the prophecy worth more to Piety than another human’s life? Poor Ritter Longerbane (Ronan Vibert). He didn’t stand a chance against a mother and her son’s future.
Sophie Longerbane Is Not An Imbecile
Many people had no idea that Sophie Longerbane, the reclusive daughter of the late Ritter Longerbane was so well educated and versed. She has everyone’s heads spinning in parliament, including Absalom and Jonah’s. She intends to carry on in her father’s stance against creatures in The Burgue. But her actions seem a bit duplicitous and I get a sense of deja vu as if I’ve seen this behavior before. Watch out for Sophie Longerbane. Her bite is as bad as her bark.
High Tea with the Spurnroses
Imogen Spurnrose (Tamzin Merchant) will not stand for her brother Ezra’s (Andrew Gower) attempts at securing her signature to put their house up for collateral on another loan from the bank. Imogen is bound and determined to help her family’s fortunes by calling upon her Puck neighbor Agreus (David Gyasi) who happens to have enough wealth to share, and then some.
Agreus desperately wants to be invited but more so to be included as a member of high society in Finistere Crossing. His only opposition is himself because he’s a Faun. Most humans, especially those who are aristocrats and rich, do not take kindly to creatures and they most certainly are suspicious of one who’s as exceedingly wealthy as Mr. Agreus Astrayton.
Agreus’ pride will also be his downfall. He may not see himself as the lowly servant type which most Fauns/Pucks are currently, but he is still a creature whether he’s ornately adorned in the latest high fashion or if he’s serving tea.
The conversation between Imogen and Agreus when things come to a head is quite interesting. When she tells him she is unable to continue the charade of welcoming him into society, he retaliates most immediately. “I should have known you wouldn’t have the mettle for this. I am more than happy to return you to poverty.”
Is anyone else detecting some tension between Agreus and Imogen? I believe Imogen is more intrigued by Agreus than she cares to admit. No man has ever talked to her in such a manner, let alone a creature. It must really chap her skin to even ask a Puck to help her financially. Thankfully, Ezra walks in just before things get completely out of control and helps the Spurnroses save face.
Headmaster Finch Has a Secret
As Philo continues his investigation, he discovers some secrets about his old headmaster. Master Thorne (Ian Hanmore) tells Philo that Finch used to frequent the Fae brothel on a weekly regular basis. When Philo questions Moira, she reveals Finch’s secret. He didn’t have a taste for Fae female company, rather he enjoyed the company of men, one in particular, Dr. Morange (Gregory Gudgeon), the coroner.
The two men have had a long love affair, and despite doing the autopsy on the love of his life, Dr. Morange didn’t betray himself or Finch. And it seems Dr. Morange knew Aisling.
In flashbacks, we see Dr. Morange and Aisling together in his office. There is an infant in Aisling’s arms. Then the baby screams out in pain as its tiny wings are clipped.
Philo’s Nightmare and Revelation
As Dr. Morange reflects upon the past, Philo awakens from a nightmare of sorts. His memories of his childhood are coming back. He recalled earlier a prayer that he and a younger Finch recited:
Young Headmaster Finch (Jake Zahradnik): “Now ask the Martyr to protect your secret; to hide the truth of the Fae blood in your veins.”
Young Philo (Ilian Gergisák): “I will sir. I’ll pray.”
Philo begins to remember the song that’s been haunting him since Aisling’s murder. He visits Aisling’s rooms, plays many records until he finds the one that’s been inside his head these many years:
“I’ll fly for you, my child, my son… Lora lie lo, Lora lie lay, lay lo…Sweet dreams to you, my only one. I’ll fly for you, my child, my son; sweet dreams to you, my only one.”
Alone in the dark, an imprint of tiny hands and wings hangs on Aisling’s wall. Philo realizes Aisling is his mother. He visits her in the morgue and places a gentle kiss on her forehead. I had a feeling Aisling was Philo’s mother after episode 4. After everything that Philo told Vingette (Cara Delevingne) in episode 3, it was just a matter of piecing the puzzle together. The only question is – who is Philo’s father? Any guesses?
Quill’s New Path
Jonah’s former Puck groomsman Quill (Scott Reid) has found a new path after reading “The Cyphers.” He stumbles upon a half-way house for Pucks after rummaging through the trash for food. With a warm bowl of stew and some intense reading material, Quill’s journey is about to take a cultish turn.
Another murder, this time, Dr. Morange. One Fae and two humans – all parties know each other but what is the true connection? And who is the person behind the Darkasher responsible for the brutal killings? Things are getting darker on Carnival Row.
Watch Carnival Row on Amazon Prime Video. All episodes launched Friday, August 30, 2019.
Twitter @CarnivalRow
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CarnivalRow/
Instagram @CarnivalRow
Photos: ©2019 Amazon Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Judy Manning
Latest posts by Judy Manning (Posts)
- Review: THE CHANGELING – Apple TV+ New Drama Is Extraordinarily Perplexing - September 8, 2023
- CLEAN SWEEP Series Review – Sundance Now’s Addictive and Dynamic New Drama - June 22, 2023
- CITY ON FIRE Review – Apple TV+ Hypnotic Music Driven Mystery Full of Intrigue - May 12, 2023
- SILO Review – Complex, Dark Labyrinth of Secrets, Lies, and Drama - May 4, 2023
Follow Us!