Blake’s impulsive actions lead to shocking revelations…

Lucy Moore’s script for this episode of The Demon Headmaster ends with something that I simply didn’t see coming – full marks to her, lead writer Emma Reeves and the production team for that (and ensuring it’s been hiding in plain sight the whole time!) It’s not something it’s possible to discuss without spoilers so if you’ve not seen the episode, we’ll see you in 25 minutes…

Spoilers follow.

With hindsight it seems inevitable that there would be some link between the (new) Demon Headmaster and his previous incarnation over and above behaviour, but linking it in such a direct way to Lizzie is a clever twist. Mary Warren has been in the background – as adults who aren’t directly involved in the narrative usually are in this sort of series – but to bring her front and centre like this twists the story and everything we’ve seen so far. We’ve had mention of Rose but there’s never been a hint that she might appear, as Dinah did.

That comes at the end of another strong episode, with Jordan Rankin’s Blake now apparently completely free of the compulsion to help the Headmaster, and the other kids trying to provoke rebellion then all desperately trying to break through to their parents. But it’s Nicholas Gleaves’ Head who dominates throughout, even from behind louvred bars and a locked door…

Verdict: A gamechanging twist propels the story into its final act. 8/10

Paul Simpson

Click here for Lucy Moore’s commentary on this episode