Closer Than Sisters
- Episode aired Jun 8, 2014
- TV-MA
- 54m
Vanessa recalls her past and the events that ultimately lead to Mina's disappearance.Vanessa recalls her past and the events that ultimately lead to Mina's disappearance.Vanessa recalls her past and the events that ultimately lead to Mina's disappearance.
- Dorian Gray
- (credit only)
- The Creature
- (credit only)
- Brona Croft
- (credit only)
- Dr. Victor Frankenstein
- (credit only)
- Ethan Chandler
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAnna Chancellor, who plays Vanessa's mother, had previously played Eva Green's mother in The Dreamers.
- GoofsAt dinner, Mr. Murray and his wife are sitting at opposite ends of the table. In proper etiquette of the time, he and his wife, as hosts, should be sitting in the center of the table, with the other guests gathered around them.
- Quotes
[Vanessa Ives asks for Sir Malcolm's forgiveness, as the two join each other to find Mina]
Sir Malcolm Murray: Do you know how many men I have killed? In Africa we walked in blood every step. There was a time I would gladly have killed you. There may come a time I gladly shall. But for now, I can make use of you.
Vanessa Ives: And no more?
Sir Malcolm Murray: What else? Forgiveness? Go to your Roman church for that, you'll find none here.
Vanessa Ives: Have you imagined for one moment what this has been for me? An unforgivable transgression that has marked me for life. You think you've suffered. You think you know blood. You think you've walked on corpses. Spread them from here to the horizon and I have walked further! You weak, foul, lustful, vainglorious, man. How dare do you speak to me of death.
Sir Malcolm Murray: Then we will speak it together.
- SoundtracksDemimonde
(uncredited)
Written by Abel Korzeniowski
It's not easy to make a "flashback" episode, so choosing this to be one — more than that, to focus solely on a single character's past for it's entirety — was a bold move but that ultimately paid off.
If the screenplay was great, focusing on Vanessa and her complex personality and conflicts, I must say that a great part of this episode's success must be thanks to Eva Green's absolutely stunning performance. Giving life and depth to the character, she went through the most horrific, outright cruel and brutal moments (wich I won't spoil here for you) to the most tender and sad scenes. Everything was so raw, so natural that it seems she LIVED through those moments. This is an Emmy worth achievement and I'll be baffled if she isn't at least nominated.
The art direction on this episode also deserves mention. "Penny Dreadful" looks gorgeous and we all know it by now, but the landscapes, the long, haunting corridors and mansions and a particularly eerie maze... everything, the costumes, the atmosphere of dread, even when the characters were just talking — the feeling that something wrong was about to happen was palpable.
"Closer Than Sisters" reaches out for too much at some points, but it never seems gratuitous as everything is realized with such passion and commitment. To dive into Vanessa's back-story was a great move, as it fuels the season to new expectations and shines a light into the story. This is the best episode of the season for me and overall one of TV's best this season.
- arthurjf1211
- Jun 27, 2014
Details
- Runtime54 minutes