Things are finally starting to pick up with Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
Slight Spoilers
Episode three, named ‘Wicked Old World’ is where Nathan Lane finally begins showing how good of an actor he is. After finding out about the deaths of his friends, Lane’s Lewis Michener mourns and then seeks revenge and answers. Lewis may have seemed like a jaded detective, especially in his interactions with newbie Detective Tiago; but the deaths of friends and fellow Jewish people have hit him hard. Something is afoot in Los Angeles; something on top of the race war and supernatural events. Lewis is determined to find out what.
Is There Romance in the Air?
On top of this, Daniel Zovatto’s Tiago grows closer to Kerry Bishe’s Sister Molly. Not only did I really enjoy every interaction between the two, I really grew fonder of Tiago. Tiago carries a lot of weight on his shoulders; something his brother Raul even points out. There’s some suspicion associated with Raul’s resurrection and I’m not sure how that’s going to play out.
Speaking of not knowing how something will turn out, I think something is going to happen to/with Molly. It might be Mother’s Day, but Molly’s mother may be the worst mother out there. Controlling and disturbing, think Mommy Dearest and the mother from Bates Motel. Molly has a lovely day with Tiago and we see she yearns for the life her mother threw her into – similar to parents who force their children into pageants and the limelight. We and Tiago find out something about Molly via Lewis, but I’m still not sure if this reflects poorly on Molly. If anything, I think it just shows how far her mother is willing to go to “protect” the “virtue” and image of the daughter she makes money off of.
How Fly is Fly Rico?
There’s also something going on with Tiago’s younger brother Mateo (played by Jonathan Nieves). He’s becoming familiar with Sebastian Chacon’s Fly Rico. Fly Rico’s crew includes Hispanics, gay and lesbians, and virtually, what you would consider the “outcasts” of society. Mateo and Fly Rico contemplate taking on the police force, who continue to be as racist as ever.
It’s Magda’s World. We’re Just Living In It
All the while, Magda has integrated herself in every aspect of this story. Even Fly Rico’s crew. The story makes it obvious that no matter what, everyone is just a player in Magda’s game. Police, race wars, Nazis; it’s all a part of Magda’s desire to create as much chaos as ever. She’s the puppet master and no one is aware that she’s holding the strings.
Rating: 4/5
I enjoyed this episode more storywise and visually. There was a beautiful shot of Fly Rico whipping his hair while dancing. Bishe looked radiant as Sister Molly. Tiago’s story deepened and Lewis began becoming a better-rounded character. Brent Spiner’s character even had a small, but impactful scene with Tiago. Episode three has now reeled me in, whereas the previous two episodes felt a little rocky. I really look forward to see where this story goes next.
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