Tension comes to a head as our opposing factions duel in spirited combat. Some alliances are reaffirmed while others are broken in the Arctic Circle. We also finally learn about Nemo and Captain Billy Millais’ complicated history.
In the wake of losing Benoit, the Nautilus crew members are much kinder. They work collaboratively in pursuit of their mission: to continue toward the Northeast Passage to secure the Norse treasure of Halvar. This tranquility is shattered by the explosive appearance of the Dreadnought hot on their trail. Eventually, both vessels are trapped by the surrounding Arctic ice caps.
Nemo devises a brazen plan. In exchange for using the Dreadnought’s forge, the Nautilus will pull their enemy free from the ice. If the ceasefire is disturbed, he’s ordered Jiacomo to detonate an explosive that will take all of them out. Captain Youngblood agrees to this truce, but he seeks the return of Blaster. And Lord Algernon Pitt wants his fiancée, Humility, to join him. Nemo agrees but states Miss Lucas must choose to stay or go.
Meanwhile, in London, Director Crawley is interrogated by a British superior. When approached about suspicions of the Nautilus’ existence, Crawley boldly threatens that the Company’s fleet massively outweighs that of the British Army.
Later, during the temporary ceasefire, the opposing forces agree to a cricket match. When Team Nautilus is short a player, Captain Millais agrees to bat for Nemo’s team. Here, we learn about their complicated history: Billy took the fall for a stunt Nemo pulled at school. As a result, he was expelled, sending him on a downward spiral of poverty and shame. Simultaneously, Nemo learns his father did not betray him, but was blackmailed into selling his property to protect Nemo from retribution in London.
The harmonious game is cut short when an argument over a play call erupts into a fistfight. The two teams part to go their separate ways, but Lord Pitt requests Humility accompany him on the Dreadnought. She and Loti reluctantly oblige. However, when they learn how misogynistic he is, the pair fight their way to return to the Nautilus. Lord Pitt, a stubborn narcissist, fires at the Nautilus in retaliation. Thus, the ceasefire is broken, and Nemo refuses to pull them to safety. Pivoting to escape, he dangerously opts to submerge beneath the Arctic Circle itself.
This episode fleshed out one of the more interesting narratives — the shared history between Nemo and Captain Millais. It showcased the moral grey area where some of our characters exist, and how their association with the Company may not have been a voluntary choice. Luke Arnold stands out as Nemo’s former friend and a man with a somewhat moral code. It is in complete contrast to Cameron Cuffe’s spectacular performance as Lord Pitt, whose cruelty seeps through his almost caricature grin.
Rating: 8/10