'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 2 Review: Hypnotizing for clues and a gun-slinging Sara to the rescue
Spoilers for 'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 2 'Something Wicked'
After a good opening episode of setting the context for the next big bloody and gruesome case in the form of infant kidnapping and their murders, 'Something Wicked' focuses on the start of the investigation by Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), John Moore (Luke Evans) and Dr Kriezler (Daniel Bruhl) which leads to interesting developments. For starters, the approach each character takes is wildly different and that also leads to a tad bit of conflict.
Kriezler proposes to put Senora Linares in a state of hypnosis so as to help dig out old memories that might aid in the search and investigation while Moore and Sara track down the necessary leads as they unearth a trail. Trying to sabotage and put a spanner in the works is former Police Chief Thomas Byrnes (Ted Levine) as he is found to work in cahoots with William Randolph Hearst, Violet's (Emily Barber) father. It is also clear Dr Markoe (Michael McElhatton) is involved in the whole conspiracy in the final minutes of the episodes.
The episode sees Sara and Kriezler run through a quick, but thorough interrogation of the staff in the Linares household, however, the theory of hypnosis is shot down by Sara and Linares who find it uncomfortable and term it "a method by tricksters." However, with time running out and Byrnes attempting to haul up Linares by accusing her of the murder of her own child, which Sara prevents, the move to hypnosis is surely on the cards.
Call Fanning a gun-slinger in a corset as she pulls out a pistol and rescues Moore when he is at the receiving end of a local corrupt real estate man and gangster. Later, Moore's sleuthing leads him to the address of a customer who has been buying dolls but hasn't left his/her address. The follow-up lands the New York Times journo in trouble but is rescued by Sara. While the episode chugs at a moderate pace, it also looks at a bit of the brewing trouble in Moore and Violet's relationship.
For now, it is safe to say 'The Alienist' will take a couple more episodes to capitalize on the intrigue and the suspense factor. At the moment, what we do know is that the Linares baby might just end up as the second victim and it is up to the trio to put an end to the monstrosity.
'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' airs Sundays 9 pm ET on TNT.