IR TV Review: CARNIVAL ROW - EPISODES 5 & 6 [Prime Video-S2]
The motion of the people at fault in "Carnival Row" as the society continues to break down is reflected in both the notion of what happiness but what the laurels of fate tend to bring to this entangled in its web. With Episodes 5 & 6 of the 2nd season, the path is more what should be done versus the trajectory of what is desired. Vignette (Cara Delevigne) takes a sense of penance though she knows that a good portion of what is said against her is a lie. Philo (Orlando Bloom), by comparison, always seems bolstered by a form of altruism though a closed space apartment fight brings together a certain brotherhood that is unexpected. The effectiveness of the fight both shows emotion but also what can be gained. This swirls in many ways to the Counselor and his bid for power. The way he delivers it at a castle makes sense in its way of grandstanding but it also does open the path to a truly horrifying scene that is both Lovecraftian but also brings to mind textures of "Alien: Resurrection". It reflects a context of pure evil as primal and one shot really brings that to mind as if the mind making the decision knows it is not necessarily right but it inevitable.
The way this leads into the next episode in context of Philo and what it means to his pysche is a little unclear (though the aspect of duality in his Faye and Human blood is likely to blame). A flashback very much brings this to bear and offers a unique insight but it doesn't fully explain his angst though it does provide a more specific correlation to Tomaline (Karla Crome) which, as Episode 6 progresses, makes a lot more sense in relation to someone else. The episode also reflects back to Mr. Agreus and Imogen as they continue to be mired in their socialist work camp. Their interaction and degrees of happiness is intriguing but back in forth in their representation. Their convictions are fairly sharp but they tend to waver and cut all over the place, especially in the end when it comes down to choice. Neither one can see the other's love clearly though they do feel and embrace it. Ultimately the choice of these characters as well as those on Carnival Row are inevitable despite their best efforts since powers that be larger than their own or even above are pulling strings without being aware of their consequence. B
By Tim Wassberg
