'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 4 Review: The culprit may be found, but the story is far from over
Spoilers for 'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' Episode 4 'Gilded Cage'
The series that was chugging along at a brisk pace suddenly switches gears in 'Gilded Cage'. The identity of the kidnapper is revealed and it is found that nurse Libby (Rosy McEwen) was the one behind the death of Martha Napp's baby and the kidnapping of the Linares infant. The team of Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), Dr Lazlo Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl) and the John Moore (Luke Evans) carry on their investigation and tick off most suspects eventually zeroing in on Libby.
The gripping episode might have uncovered the identity of the killer and kidnapper, but the story is far from over as there are still a lot of loose ends the trio must tie-up. Libby, at the moment, has the upper hand as she is already aware Sara is on the case. Her bit to help was to throw them off her tracks and pin the blame on fellow nurse Colleen Headwidge (Liadun Dunlea) who has a bit of history as well. It was revealed that she was once a patient at the Lying-In hospital herself after a fling gone wrong with wealthy socialite, Richard Osgood (Ryan Ellsworth).
'Gilded Cage' also sheds light on the soured relationship between Moore and Sara. The former is publicly humiliated at his engagement and Sara implores him to let this go. Predictably, Moore brings up their past and brushes her away. That doesn't mean things may not really have to be that way. Joanna Crawford (Brittany Batchelder) gets a job at the New York Times and we can safely assume she will play a key role in Linares' baby case.
The heightened suspense could be felt throughout the episode and it is in the final minutes when all hell breaks loose. Libby also murders the matron and is clear that she is a psychopath. For now, it does look like her next target is indeed Sara so as to cover the evidence. This still leaves us with questions about the involvement of Byrnes (Ted Levine) in the whole case. But for now, it is safe to look at this is a tale that has just started.
'Angel of Darkness' was never meant to be a quiet slow-burn series. And while it did seem that way for the first couple of episodes, the mystery and the nerve-wracking suspense seem to have climbed a few rungs higher. It is the perfect end to an episode that is sure to stir up a debate until it returns a week later. Guess, TNT has another win on its hands after 'Snowpiercer'.
'The Alienist: Angel of Darkness' airs on Sundays at 9 pm ET on TNT.