Taboo Review 01×04 –“Episode 4”[FX]

Is Everyone Going Mad?

Just when we thought things couldn’t get any weirder! Taboo returned yet again with an even darker plot. This episode made us question our own sanity for the sake of television in more ways than one.

Four episodes in and our story has placed us on a never-ending path. We’ve watched James Delaney (Tom Hardy) strategize Nootka and his enemies as well as make moves in the relationship department. We have experienced key players week after week from the American Spy, Dumbarton (Michael Kelly), to the Crown with Prince Regent (Mark Gatiss) and even the corrupt East India Company (EIC) head honcho, Stuart Strange (Jonathan Pryce). Not only does Taboo continue to give us a bowl of wild fiction and storytelling, but allows us to draw our own conclusions.

In this week’s episode, we can’t get enough of assassins or newfound allies. We recognize that feuds are forever yet sometimes temporary, reiterate our disdain for 1800s sanitation and again, intolerable incest. Is everyone going mad? Will we still trust Lorna? How far can one man go? Let’s find out!

Mama’s Boy: An Unexpected Alliance

We’ll admit when we’re wrong and boy, was this a surprise. In episode three, we learned of a potential alliance between James and Lorna (Jessie Buckley). As it would seem, after last week’s murder of the Duke of Richmond, poor Lorna was labeled a murderer. We see her in an underground dungeon of some sort being interrogated by our favorite man. Guess Who? That’s right: the “not-so” great, Solomon Coop. He always appears to be so well versed and also well, dumb. Did he really think Delaney wasn’t going to find out? We know he planned this from the start; hope he gets what’s coming to him and soon.

You will hold out - Delaney

In terms of sexual violence,Taboo gives us Game of Thrones in not-so modern day London. We still enjoy the storyline, but this scene didn’t sit well with us, and it could have done without. Somehow Delaney makes his way to Lorna and gives her a “I’ve got you” line in an 1800s kind of way. Unfortunately he works with our enemy, the East India Company. Despite Delaney using her as a way to play the EIC and the British Government,, Lorna is the real MVP. We didn’t too much like Lorna in the beginning, but our respect for her shot up after what Delaney did. We’re still hoping that our prediction comes true and she double crosses him, but we digress…

Incest is among the Supernatural

Just when we thought things couldn’t get any stranger, everyone in the Delaney family are crazy in love… with each other? Gross.

We really want to believe that no one is actually related here, but writers have already tied the knots. We look at Delaney and Zilpha’s relationship and hope. However there is a new love storm brewing in London. Apparently, Lorna spills the beans to James’ half-sister Zilpha Geary (Oona Chaplin) that she has romantic feelings for him. Not only does this have us questioning our own sanity, but for the sake of television please stop. What makes this even more absurd is that she tells Zilpha, of all people, Zilpha?

Writers, Steven Knight and Emily Ballou, had to have known this played on our heart strings. Did they not consider our feelings in all of this?

WHAT THE ACTUAL…!

While we ship Zilpha, the thought of a blood relative relationship is not our cup of tea. Not to mention, we learn that Delaney may actually be some sort of supernatural being. He can speak to the dead and this week introduced us to his bedroom telepathy. Yes, we are labeling this as such because he literally has sex telepathically with his half-sister. Last week’s episode brought about unholy unions in the church pews and love letters, while this week we are given it all. In some ways this scene is similar to modern day celebrations, with the theatrics of course.

We were given a strange interlude involving a painted James, mysterious liquor and fire. What makes all of this quite bad is that he prefers to use his powers for this and not things like you know, taking out his enemies.

Our guess is that it may be too predictable. However, what is predictable was Thorne’s reaction. As the party comes to a close, Thorne, a bit hammered off the laughing gas, comes for Delaney and accuses him of having been with his wife. While this may indeed be true, Delaney attempts to let him cool off outside. As with any inebriated individual, he instead challenges him to a duel. A duel? It seems so unrealistic considering it’s set in 19th century London, and with Delaney’s injury from episode one, our bet is on him.

Let’s Throw a Party and Brawl

Every great story ends with a party of sorts, right? A party was thrown and emotions rang high. Typical, right? Wrong. Not only did this event bring about magical scenes, but a crazy doctor. We couldn’t stand him… could he?

During the episode’s climax, we, saw what a ‘Delaney party’ really was: dancing, magic, drugs and drinks. We learn even more of the “big picture” after Delaney discovers that he’ll need to create his own gunpowder to trade with Nootka’s native tribes. One wonders if he assumed he didn’t need anything for trade? Delaney then recruits a do-it-yourself (DIY) army to steal saltpeter from the East India Company. With help from a newer character, George Cholmondeley (Tom Hollander), by way of Helga, they plan to mix stolen saltpeter with animal dung and human urine at his barn to make gunpowder.

As with most plans, we knew this would be no easy feat. Writers placed a pro-wrestler assassin at the barn to kill Delaney It’s brutal and our beloved Delaney is knocked out… for about a few minutes.
Not only is his willpower essential to the story, but we discover more about the Americans: They are willing to send just about anyone to kill Delaney. We also learn of another vital player in this game of Taboo: a magic-trick enthusiast. We suspect she may be THE CARLSBAD. Perhaps this story goes further than we initially thought. Is Carlsbad in London or calling the shots from abroad? Of course, it’s all about land and wealth, but it seems a bit more personal from the Americans.

Final Verdict: Allies, Conflicts and New Enemies, What’s Next?

After almost experiencing the loss of our main character… again,we were thrilled to learn that James is a fighter and intense lover. We explored more about the narrative behind the Americans. Many of our questions, have been answered and as usual we’re asking even more. As soon as we think we’ve tied one villain, we’re on to the next one.

Despite building allies this episode, Delaney still has many enemies. He’s battling the East India Company, the British government, the American spies and even Thorne on occasion. Writers incorporated a great story with Lorna because we really thought she was the villain in all this. In some ways this is what makes Taboo great: just when we, the viewers, think there is some sort of conclusion we can tie it back to the homeland, Nootka.]

As mentioned in episode two, we’re excited that women are on the forefront. Taboo’s beginning to connect the dots for us when it comes to relationships. However, we wonder just how far this will go with Lorna? Our hope is nowhere. The writers Emily Ballou and Steven Knight are once again leaving us with more questions! Can we trust Lorna? Can Lorna and Delaney trust each other? Who is Carlsbad? Is Dumbarton that dumb to cross Delaney? Stay tuned for next week’s review to find out.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS

• What will happen when we discover Ms. Carlsbad?
• Could she be Lorna?
• What revenge will we see next week?
• Why laughing gas parties?
• Will we discover more to Nootka?
• Can Atticus be Delaney’s mercenary?

Catch the Next Episode of Taboo Tuesdays 10PM ET/PT on FX