Plans are made…

After a really explosive start to this series things slow down quite substantially as the world reacts to the arrival of Alina Starkov. Which is okay because that is what happens but unfortunately much of the next couple of episodes feel like we are trying to find the right jigsaw pieces and put them into place. once we set aside just how lush this world is in its realisation just how lovely the clothes and sets are it becomes a little bit harder to care about a story that isn’t really moving along.

There is a lot of worldbuilding that happens in these three episodes but much of it feels like repetition because the central mysteries are few in number and signposted clearly from episode 1.

The normal kind of tropes are there, namely prophecies about saviours, dastardly heretics who are also conveniently very attractive, with young people finding themselves in the middle of training montages. Don’t get me wrong – whilst all this is really familiar it remains very enjoyable if just not particularly memorable.

What is compelling are the three members of the Crows; Kaz, Jesper and Inej, who I could watch all day as they banter, plan and get up to all kinds of shenanigans. This crew are slick, cool and fun to watch. The other main point of interest about them is they are ordinary people without the benefit of magic to help them along. The stakes for them are real and feel much more weighty than the world shattering plot involving Alina.

What is really interesting is you can see from episode 2 that the Crows are going to meet Alina and possibly in the most thrilling way. I’m really looking forward to getting into the second half of the series and seeing how these different characters end up intersecting with one another. Not simply because they come from different worlds within the setting but also because each of the characters is so well defined that it is hard not to get excited at the idea of them eating each other.

Mal, now separated from his childhood friend and true love, Alina, spends much of these episodes trying to find a way back to her. There’s clearly something more to him that the show does not reveal beyond sly hints but Archie Renaux delivers him with real heart.

I like the way the soldiers are portrayed in the show. It’s far away from real soldiery but close enough that you get the sense of the class difference between the rank and file and officers as well as a solid feel for the life these soldiers are living.

Mal eventually finds a way to get to Alina but the journey is one filled with tragedy for him and has some of the most poignant moments so far.

I like Mal and I like that he is supportive and loving and kind with a strong sense of right and wrong – it’s nice to see that on screen, particularly in a way where it doesn’t feel like he needs to compete with the person he loves but is happy to be supportive. Too often we see one male hero who believes the world revolves around them running off on their own time after time and never learning what it means to be part of a community. The relationship between Mal and Alina leaves you believing that they are each other’s community and it’s a good vibe.

The one other thread, which I haven’t talked about to this point, is that of a heart render called Nina. At first it appears that she is going to be caught up with the Crows and Alina, but the show takes her off in a direction of its own that appears to have absolutely nothing to do with world saving Sun Summoner.

It’s not clear how her story will tie in, if at all, with the rest of what’s going on in this show, but Danielle Galligan brings a joyful sense of life and presence to Nina. So despite the disconnect she remains fun to watch.

Verdict: With episodes two, three and four mainly moving pieces around the board it feels like the end of episode four is where the story starts in earnest and I’m looking forward to the back half of the season – not least because it promises big thrills and big stakes. 

Rating? 6 train rides through danger out of 10

Stewart Hotston