Season 2, Episode 4, titled “Monstrous Things”, directed by Sam Deats and Adam Deats, and written by Clive Bradley, explores the moral debate between the Renards and Juste Belmont about whether the use of darkness can ever be justified. Juste aligns with Alucard’s way of thinking, emphasizing the dangers of such compromises. The episode firmly asserts that using darkness to fight darkness is inherently wrong; it corrupts the user and turns them into the very evil they sought to destroy. Such temptations must be rejected outright, despite any perceived benefits. In truth, there are no benefits—only lies and deception masquerading as strength.
The central theme of the episode is darkness, both external and internal. It conveys that everyone harbors darkness within, and it is crucial to understand and temper it before it consumes us, particularly in moments of vulnerability. Maria’s brief lapse into darkness stems from her grief over her mother’s transformation into a vampire, leaving her susceptible to dark magic. Similarly, Tera’s corruption is evident in her growing lack of mercy and increasing thirst for vengeance after becoming a vampire.
What stands out about Juste’s character is his unwavering moral code. He is an honorable warrior who refuses to compromise his principles, even for the so-called greater good. His philosophy is clear: if we forsake our morals, then the fight itself becomes meaningless. Alucard shares this belief, which is understandable given their shared experiences as veterans in the relentless war against vampires, demons, night creatures, and their human allies.
Drolta Recruits Erzsebeth
In 1614 CE, Drolta (Elarica Johnson) travels to Hungary and meets a young Erzsebet Bathory (Franka Potente). At this time, Erzsebet is a human countess imprisoned for her horrific crimes as a serial killer who preyed on children. The countess scoffs at being labeled a murderer, claiming her deeds pale in comparison to the countless atrocities committed by the nobles who have imprisoned her. Drolta offers Erzsebet an enticing proposition: to become a goddess as the vessel of Sekhmet. Intrigued, Erzsebet warily accepts the offer, despite her doubts about its feasibility.
Maria Commits Parricide to the Extreme
At Machecoul, Maria (Pixie Davies) arrives at the abbey to confront Emmanuel (Richard Dormer). Consumed by vengeance, she uses dark magic to slaughter the night creatures and trap him. She summons a dark dragon to execute Emmanuel, ignoring Juste Belmont’s (Iain Glen) desperate pleas for her to abandon this path of darkness. Juste warns Maria that succumbing to evil will only corrupt her, but she refuses to heed his advice. The dragon kills Emmanuel, but this act unleashes a new threat—dark magic festers in the abbey, taking on a humanoid form as a dark spirit. The spirit revels in Maria’s actions before seizing Emmanuel’s charred corpse and vanishing.
Maria attempts to banish the dark dragon, but the creature resists until Juste awakens his dormant Speaker magic, forcing the dragon back into the abyss. Tera (Nastassja Kinski) arrives, expressing gratitude to Juste for saving her daughter, but he remains deeply troubled by the dark magic Maria invoked. Tera, however, finds solace in Emmanuel’s death, believing it to be justice for the harm he inflicted on innocents.
The Duel for Sekhmet’s Mummy
In Paris, Richter (Edward Bluemel), Alucard (James Callis), and Annette (Thuso Mbedu) infiltrate the Louvre Palace in search of Sekhmet’s mummy. Annette calls upon her spiritual affinity to summon ancestral spirits, who successfully locate the mummy. However, their mission is thwarted when Drolta and three night creatures intervene. Despite the trio’s efforts, Drolta succeeds in stealing the mummy, while the night creatures sacrifice themselves to delay Richter, Alucard, and Annette.
The loss weighs heavily on the trio as they realize the implications of their failure. With Sekhmet’s mummy in vampire hands, an empowered vampire messiah with two of Sekhmet’s souls could soon rise, leaving Paris vulnerable to invasion.
Rating: 9/10