'Pennyworth' Season 1 episode 7 review: Thomas Wayne shows his dark side as Lord Harwood is hell-bent on revenge
Contains spoilers for 'Pennyworth' episode 7: 'Julie Christie'
Make no mistake. Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) can wallop people and kill them with his bare hands if provoked. The usually calm, witty man is portrayed in a new light in the latest 'Pennyworth' episode, 'Julie Christie' - a time where Wayne is no more the polite gentleman. The episode also sets up the relationship between Wayne and Martha Kane (Emma Paetz). For the first time in the season, the focus shifts from Alfred (Jack Bannon) to his co-stars. There are a few talking points from 'Julie Christie', that we have detailed out. Starting with:
Thomas Wayne's dark side and his relationship with Martha Kane
The previous episode saw Kane and Patricia (Salóme Gunnarsdóttir) head to this crazy '60s satanist rave organized by Aleister Crowley (Jonjo O’Neill). A drugged Kane wakes up three days later, naked and disoriented. She finds her way home only to find a ticked-off Wayne accusing her of being irresponsible. When the duo head to Crowley's mansion to figure out Patricia's whereabouts, the coy satanist manages to needle the two while presenting them a brain-washed Patricia.
Such is Wayne's dedication to the family name, that he's called "cold" by Kane when he decides to leave Patricia back at Crowley's. Soon after, a determined Kane decides to take matters into her own hands and along with a reluctant Wayne rushes to save Patricia. It is revealed that Crowley is a true satanist, who tells Kane that her boss is actually CIA.
He further infuriates Wayne by needling him about the darker side of his persona, and this causes the agent to lash out. He nearly beats Crowley's aide to death and while he doesn't tell Kane about the fight, he vows never to talk to her about the fateful evening again. Wayne and Kane have this unique chemistry between them. Both are dedicated agents, ready to do whatever it takes to save the country from threats, but for some reason, they end up disagreeing on most things. By the end of the episode, we see a rather subdued Kane talking to Wayne and maybe that's the relationship spark the two need.
Lord Harwood is planning something big
Jason Flemyng's Lord Harwood is out for revenge and it looks like he won't rest until he manages to bring down the Prime Minister for torturing him. He meets with Frances Gaunt (Anna Chancellor) and outlines his plans of bringing back the lost glory of the Raven Society. To assist him in his mission are the Sykes sisters, Peggy (Polly Walker) and Bet (Paloma Faith). Harwood also informs Bet that Alfred has managed to get the details of Esme's (Emma Corin) killer.
Speaking of Bet, 'You're supposed to be dead!'
Imagine Alfie's horror when he realizes Bet is still alive and kicking. The duo bumps into each other when trying to kill Captain Curzon (Charlie Woodward) after it is confirmed that he was responsible for Esme's murder. Despite a bit of gunfire and a good old chase, Curzon manages to wiggle free and Bet blames Alfred for bungling the mission. Will we see the two team up again to bring Curzon to justice? Only time will tell.
And the newest member of the Raven society is...
Mr. Pennyworth (Ian Puleston-Davies). Gaunt, in one of the Society's meetings, speaks of regaining the power the Ravens were famous for. A bunch of society members are all getting psyched up by what Gaunt has to say and listening intently is Mr. Pennyworth, who seems to be have been hooked to the society's cause.
The final verdict
After a dark, weird episode, 'Julia Christie' comes across as an episode of reveals. A new shade of each character is brought out in the episode. 'Pennyworth' is now just three episodes away from finishing season 1, but the story is far from over and is unpredictable at every turn. It started off in stellar fashion and has lived up to its billing.
'Pennyworth' airs Sundays 9 pm on EPIX.