Penny Dreadful Episode 5 Recap: You Must Name A Thing To Make It Live

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Was There A Shortage Of Beds In Victorian England? No Doubling Up!

In "Closer Than Sisters" we finally learn Vanessa's back story. In fact, the whole episode is a flashback. Vanessa obsessively writes letters to Mina asking forgiveness for her transgressions.

Vanessa and Mina have been friends since childhood. Vanessa plans to marry Mina's brother Peter when they grow up. However all that comes crashing down when Vanessa has sex with Mina's mustached fiance. To top it off, it's on the night before their wedding. I'd like to take a moment to point out: 1. Sex on a taxidermy table -- eeewwww; and 2. What kind of hobby is that for a teenager? See Norman Bates as an example of what you dont want your child to become. Anyway, Vanessa and the suitor are exiled from the house.

Then Vanessa seriously goes downhill. Her mother sends her to an asylum where they try various treatments: cold water bath, firehousing and trepanning (drilling holes in her head). That last one was really painful to watch. Note to self: dont seek treatment for mental disorders in Victoria England.

The hospital doesnt know what to do with Vanessa so she is sent home. Vanessa is possessed by something. I assume it is Amunet / Amu Ra. The spirit visits her in the form of Malcolm. They have sex. Vanessa's mom walks in on "them" and sees Vanessa having sex with... no one. Mother Ives promptly drops dead. Vanessa later sees Mina on the beach. She is under the control of the master vampire (which we assume is Dracula). Vanessa tells the real Malcolm about Mina and they agree to find her at all costs. Now we know the source of the conflict between the two-- Vanessa's betrayal of Mina and Sir Malcolm sleeping with Vanessa's mother (which apparently jump started the whole demon thing in Vanessa).

Favorite Quotes:

"You must name a thing to make it live"- Vanessa and the Devil.
"It called, I listened"- Vanessa about the demon.
"God didnt answer her, another did"- Vanessa's mom.
"Youre' going to die there"- Vanessa to Peter.
"I love Mina in a different way. I love her enough to kill her"- Vanessa.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Extra Monsters for Eva Green's acting. That woman definitely got put through the wringer in this episode. She better be winning some awards! There are only three episodes left in this season. "Penny Dreadful" has been renewed for a season 2.