Matthew and Diana find a solid potential lead on the Book of Life, but in pursuing it, attract unwelcome attentions. Then a summons from Matthew’s father changes everything again.

Still staying mostly in the past, this episode gives up even more delicious historical detail as well as some tantalising hints about various things and introducing some new characters.

Pursuing leads to the Book of Life starts our heroes on a journey meeting various famous historical figures and also sets in motion events which they’d hoped to avoid. Turns out when you go meeting the Royal Astronomer that attracts certain attentions, and suffice it to say that the pair end up having to present themselves before a very suspicious (and paranoid) Queen Elizabeth. The way in which Elizabeth’s part in things is portrayed – what her own motivations and desires are – fits in well with what we know of the historical figure, and the performance given by Barbara Marten is perfect – not overblown or overtly ‘majestic’, more the quiet, calm authority of someone used to being obeyed, run through with an undercurrent of a quiet desperation.

In among these intrigues run many more things, as both Diana and Matthew are kept busy. Matthew, for his part, must confront Father Hubbard, having murdered the witch who was a part of his congregation. Regardless of his own reasoning (that he was attempting to be merciful) their continued need for subterfuge means he must be subtler in how he approaches this, and the scene is loaded with tension, made all the better for the viewer who knows what Matthew does not – that Hubbard has already written to his father.

Diana continues her training with Goody Alsop and begins to manifest some of the true extent of her power. Frustrated as she is by the speed of her progress, Diana has to be reined in by Alsop reminding her that patience is required – it’s very Yoda and Luke in The Empire Strikes Back and gets even more so when a summons from Phillippe leaves Diana no choice but to accompany Matthew to France.

And that summons is delivered by newly introduced character Gallowglass, nephew of Matthew. Despite early reservations at seeing his uncle with a witch, Gallowglass seems to be good people, but his warning to Diana over Matthew’s meeting his father, combined with Matthew’s own response to the summons itself, leaves us with the impression that Phillippe de Claremont may well be the biggest challenge they face together yet.

Back in the present, Domenico finds evidence indicating that there may be uncontrolled feedings taking place in Oxford, and this gives the scheming vampire an opportunity to open negotiations with Gerbert, as the latter still seethes over how best to topple the De Claremont dynasty. Could Domenico have found the key to help him, and what might he want in return?

Verdict: Fair to say, this is seriously compulsive viewing. The mixture of fantastical and historical elements and characters is always done with care and skill, and the performances are never less then excellent. 9/10

Greg D. Smith