'Pennyworth' episode 10 review: An unpredictable end, blockbuster action, and a thrilling storyline sets up the series for a season 2
This review contains spoilers for 'Pennyworth' ep. 10: 'Marianne Faithfull' and snippets from an exclusive interview with Jack Bannon
Not for a minute does 'Marianne Faithfull' come across as an hour-long finale. Phasing between gripping action and a thrilling storyline, the end almost feels like watching a movie, except, you'll want more. When 'Pennyworth's pilot aired, it came across as a tightly-woven story with some pace to boot. Ahead of the final episode, MEA WorldWide in an exclusive with Jack Bannon asked what was in store for the audience and the man teased "resolving a civil war that breaks out, and more".
And more was spot-on. While the intriguing series tied up most ends, there are still questions that need to be answered, and those are enough to bring out a potential season 2. This review is split into segments to delve into each subplot in-depth. To begin with:
When the bad guys finish first
Lord James Harwood has the last laugh
His plan was outlandish, outrageous and quite simple at the same time — take over England. Not to mention he suffered dire consequences while attempting to do so. He almost died, he lost his nose and pride, only to emerge victorious in the end. The episode starts off with the Sykes sisters kidnapping the queen and forcing her to hand over the government to the Raven Society. The PM and his staff are to resign and let the New World Order take over.
Harwood (Jason Flemyng) has been the perfect antagonist. He decks up like a commander and marches into the high order office set to make elaborate plans to take over the country. All's well and the plans seem to be in motion until Alfred (Jack Bannon) and his trusty pals, along with the new allies in Martha Kane (Emma Paetz) and Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge), thwart the order. At a cost.
A relationship that almost ended as quickly as it started
Thomas Wayne barely scrapes through after confessing his love to Martha
It took him five episodes to meekly confess that he "likes" Martha. And that too, in the middle of a mission with Alfred. An amused Alfred tries hard to keep a straight face when Martha goes one step ahead and asks if the like is 'sexual'. Eventually, the trio with some help from Dave Boy and Bazza, manage to save the queen (Jessica Ellerby) from the clutches of the Sykes sisters.
However, despite the Sykes and Harwood behind bars, the leader of the Raven Society manages to order a hit on Wayne, and just when the duo share a nice, romantic moment, Wayne gets shot. A petrified Martha tries resuscitating him and just about succeeds. Season 2 will most likely see their relationship go to the next stage.
The noble knight and his reward
Alfred saves the queen and gets some love from the queen
It looks like things are back to normal. Alfie saves the queen, and in return gets a one-night stand with her majesty. In addition, he gets an offer to work for the Scotland Yard. However, he takes his time and decides to put the rough days behind by spending quality time with his family.
The ultimate sacrifice
Mr. P aka the Old Guard was Harwood's backup plan
If anyone was unhappy about the Raven not ruling England, it had to be Mr. Pennyworth. The man was an ardent believer and his duty with the PM made him Harwood's first choice to be the one to blow up the Palace should the NWO plan go south. When it does, Mr. P arranges for explosives that would blow the queen, the people and the palace to kingdom come, not to mention his own life snuffed out in that attempt.
Except, that the deafening quiet gets to Alfie and he realizes that something was wrong. He puts two and two together to realize that his father is planning to exact revenge against the queen. In what comes across as a what heart-rending moment, Alfie begs his dad to not push the button that would kill them all, but the pleas go in vain. What follows is a deafening explosion that kills everyone, except Alfred, who rescues her again and bursts out of the door, soot-faced and grief-stricken, with an unconscious queen in his arms.
The verdict
We need a season 2. Stat.
From inception, the series was termed unpredictable and explosive. The finale lived up to the two plaudits and a season 2 will better explain the loose ends. There is still enough material for the series to span another couple of seasons and if EPIX looked for a stable start, they should be pleased as they got a superhit in their hands. The ending also explains the need for a new season. We have seen Alfie go from a SAS soldier to a hero that the country should be thanking. Perhaps, the new season may see him explore life in America, a place that he intended to go when he was on the run from the Government.
'Pennyworth' also owes a major chunk of its success to the stellar cast is brought in. Starting off with the dapper Bannon. The actor pulled out all stops to portray Alfred to perfection and breathe life to the character. Paloma Faith and Polly Walker as the sinister Sykes sisters are a treat and Flemyng steals the show with his charisma and exuberance.
DC fans will have every reason to be happy and amped for a new season. Simply put, it's a must-watch and probably the best period superhero prequel series out there. For us, reviewing 'Pennyworth' has been an absolute delight.