The Queen’s Speech
Queen Kane unveils the grim reality facing Pennsa. With negotiations breaking down (thanks to Kane’s assassinations), she claims that they’re now at war. Maghra speaks up though, bringing up the topic of the witchfinders and how they won’t fight for her.
Tamacti Jun soon shows though, turning the tide and commanding the armies to his back. They’re still going to war though, but who leads the group into battle is up to the people. However, Kane’s crimes are actually punishable by death, which Tamacti Jun is more than willing to give out… until Paris speaks up. Ugh, why?
Paris confirms that Kane is pregnant with a sighted baby, this one belonging to Kofun of course. Given it’s against their customs to kill someone who’s pregnant, Kane is taken to the castle instead. ..
Meanwhile, Edo Voss and Wren both march toward Pennsa. Their army is only 5 or 6 days away from their destination and could cause devastation if they make it. Maghra decides to go after Edo Voss and his soldiers, realizing that there are sighted soldiers amongst them.
Pennsa is gearing up for its next big battle. Baba Voss is hesitant to send his children into battle, unsure of how to gain an advantage. Hey, maybe we can collect those machine guns we saw at Jerlamarel’s place during the season 1 finale? ..
Baba Voss is worried about whether they can win this war. Tamacti Jun reassures him that they’re both soldiers and were born for this. Whether they like it or not, Pennsa are going to war. Maghra helps give a rousing speech to see off the soldiers, which ultimately paves way for all these blind soldiers to march off into battle. Maghra meanwhile, is to stay behind and rule.
Elsewhere though, Toad and Paris head off on a mission of their own. The latter is convinced that sight is returning to the world and with it, any semblance of uniqueness to this show. Anyway, on the eve of battle disaster strikes in Pennsa. Maghra senses something amiss and awakens in the middle of the night, pouring oil across the floor.
The Trivantian assassins sneak into the room, eventually going toe-to-toe with Maghra. Lord Harlan does his best to help but he’s thrown around the room like a ragdoll. Eventually he’s stabbed through the gut for his troubles, while Maghra manages to save him – and herself – just in time. With the assassins dead, they breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Baba Voss and the others make their way to an abandoned fortress. They believe they can turn the tide of battle by forcing the soldiers into a narrow trench, condensing their forces into a bottleneck of sorts.
Haniwa decides to speak with Edo Voss and Wren herself, alone. She’s intent on telling them what’s happened to Kane and how she was the one responsible. With Maghra now the queen and Kane in custody, Wren and Haniwa share a moment alone in the middle of the battlefield. As they begin kissing (time and a place guys) they realize there’s no stopping what’s to come; war is upon us.
The Episode Review
It seems like we may finally be able to turn the tide of this battle after all. With Kane now usurped from the throne and Tamacti Jun teaming up with Baba Voss and the others, it seems as if they’re helplessly outnumbered. If only there was some metallic item that could fire high-powered bullets that could turn the tide of battle?
In the finale of season one, we saw guns being used and it completely destroyed any battle tactics. It would have made more sense to just confirm all guns have been destroyed or that they no longer work but given we’ve seen them used during season 1’s finale, it completely destroys any logic or battle tactics.
The sighted have a clear advantage in this battle, so it will be interesting to see what part Wren and Haniwa have to play in the coming war. And on the same subject, why did Toad teach Kofun how to fight blindfolded? What’s the point? It’s not like Star Wars where you need to feel the force, he can literally grab a bow and arrow and fire. It would have made more sense to teach him how to use ranged weapons, surely!
Either way, the penultimate chapter of this season sets things up nicely for next week’s finale, which has otherwise been a rather tepid second season. ..
