'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 3 Review: Sara and Kreizler make inroads in slow-burning episode
Spoilers for 'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 3 'Labyrinth'
The investigation continues as Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning) and Dr Lazlo Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl) make some inroads in the Linares missing baby case. On the other hand, the parallel storyline of their friendship with John Moore (Luke Evans) develops. At the moment, there are quite a few on the suspect list. However, the trio deduces that the kidnapper must be a woman which the final scene confirms. What the audience gets is a back view of the character.
The Lying-In Hospital is beyond doubt shady and Sara's investigation is coldly attended to by Dr Markoe (Michael McElhatton) and the matron Marie (Heather Goldenhersh). Sara finds assistance in a nurse named Libby (Rosy McEwen) who helps recover files of Martha Napp and the baby. Meanwhile, after Kreizler successfully puts Sara in a state of hypnosis to prove his theory, gets her go-ahead to try it on Senora Linares (Bruna Cusí).
While it is a failed attempt at first, Kreizler manages to find out that Senora is a painter and they bring along her art teacher Cecilia Beaux (Carolina Main) to bring her hypnotic memory to life through the painting and this leads them to the tea park where Senora and her baby go just before its kidnapping. She senses the presence of a woman that also coincides with Sara's findings. 'Labyrinth', however, has some room for a laugh or two, courtesy Dr Kreizler.
In his state of stupor, he and John manage to convince Sara and take her to the latter's bachelor party where Kreizler raises a heartfelt toast. It is safe to assume the wedding might not happen as John feels strangled by Violet's (Emily Barber) attitude. This might pave way for the Sara-John romance fans have been hoping for. 'Labyrinth' is a bit of a slow-burner. The narrative takes its time and for good reason. While the opening episode hints at Markoe and Byrnes (Ted Levine) as the main suspects, there is major surprise thrown.
Kreizler deduces grief as the reason behind the kidnapping once they confirm a woman is behind it. It is not 'The Alienist' if there is not a detailed psychological and rational explanation behind the case and it sure looks like the episode is leading up to it. For now, 'Angel of Darkness' manages to maintain the air of mystery.
'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' airs Sundays 9 pm ET on TNT.
