The plot thickens.

The third instalment of Nevers has the plot thickening better than your Gran’s chicken soup, as complex connections are added into the stock and mixed together.

An covert threat was set up in the previous episode to plant foreboding in the hearts of the audience, but it’s not pleasant to have that sort of unsettling feeling strung out too long. I’m pleased to report that this threat is discovered by our rag-tag band of sisters, but of course it’s going to take a while to get to the bottom of it. Indeed, later in the episode help is sought from the very person who may possibly be behind all of ‘The Bad Things’. Methinks this will not end well.

Again, reflecting the myriad facets of real humans, we see that Turns are used by the Touched both for good and for evil, and I am still impressed by this nuance of characterisation in the writing. No-one could possibly accuse The Nevers of having two-dimensional characters, even if some of them are more loosely sketched than others, for narrative reasons. The Turns of the Touched that we have met so far, and their effects on different subjects are also explored a bit more deeply, including an exposition of how the Touched might use their talents on one another: to control, to soothe? Interesting.

I was reminded once again that this is a joint production with HBO… there be gore and there be sexy times, just to warn you. Not too much gore though, the squeamish amongst us (myself included) will be able to cope.

This episode is full of double-header scenes and relationship forming between characters, as if they’re taking up position on a chessboard. There is one particularly lovely scene with a key member of the Touched, an ethereal song-bird, who seems to be the best of them. This is not a show you can watch half-heartedly in the background, it requires the full attention of the audience. Just as I felt my ability to follow some of these plot-thick dialogues begin to wane, we are slammed forcefully and without warning back into action with one of the most unique fight scenes I’ve seen on TV. I have to congratulate those involved, I really enjoyed it and felt quite euphoric as the episode built to a hope-filled final act.

But then a huge moment arrives and I’m genuinely shocked, it’s so unexpected and left me reeling. I won’t spoil it in this review, but strongly encourage you to catch-up before reading any further as I don’t think I’ll be able to write one word reviewing the next episode without discussing it, it’s that huge.

Verdict: Oh what a tangled web is woven. Hang on to your bonnets and top-hats, folks, shit’s getting real. 8/10

Claire Smith