After a near fatality at the Horrible Hospital, the Beaudelaires hitch a ride in the trunk of Olaf’s car. He’s seeking the guidance of Madame Lulu, fortune teller at the Caligari Carnival.

The second season of Netflix’s ambitious adaptation of the 13-novel series of Lemony Snicket tales reaches an exciting climax with this two-part version of Book the Ninth. I wondered whether the series was going to stop at the eighth or ninth book, but wisely the producers have plumped for the latter as it offers a ready-made literal cliffhanger.

The carnival has seen better days, reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Big Fish, and with smart references to Tod Browning’s 1932’s Freaks. The self-called ‘freaks’ are a hunchback, a contortionist and Kevin, who is afflicted with being… ambidextrous! Klaus and Violet disguise themselves as a two-head person and little Sunny is adorable as Chabo the Wolf Baby. Madame Lulu might not be quite who she seems either, but you can discover that for yourself!

A significant flashback at the beginning of the story adds some much needed backstory to the wider spy/V.F.D. arc, and we find out (probably) what the letters finally stand for. Count Olaf is also busy as the circus ringmaster, boosting ticket sales by feeding one of his staff to a pit of ravenous, starving lions.

Verdict: Intrigue, comedy, wordplay and hungry carnivores – a perfect binge-worthy treat for the whole family. We’ll now have to wait a while for the final four – how unfortunate! 9/10

Nick Joy