I mentioned, when reviewing the previous episode, that Beowulf’s main flaw was rather bland, somewhat two-dimensional characterisation. That is still something of a problem, but this episode went some way towards addressing it. Rheda’s characterisation and, especially, Joanne Whalley’s performance offer a well-balanced blend of toughness and vulnerability. On the one hand, she demonstrates a capacity, if not a liking, for ruthlessness when she tricks a little girl into giving up her mother. On the other hand, her obvious distress in the wake of being assaulted is not only a reminder of physical vulnerability, but a nicely realistic moment – this is a real woman, not a superhuman character who can simply shrug these things off. Rheda is saved in that instance by Varr, an intriguing character on whom the camera lingers so often, and at such random moments, that there must be more to him than we yet know. His relationship with Rheda is fascinating, as he seems to making quite a few judgment calls himself, and helping her out in a quiet, behind-the-scenes way. It’s not clear whether he is meant to be gay, or possibly even a eunuch, but his clearly effeminate manner seems to suggest that he is, in some way, not the same kind of masculine threat to Rheda that most of the other characters could be, though he could be a different kind of threat if he chose to make a grab for power. (I really want to get through a review of this without mentioning Game Of Thrones, but when the show gives me a mysterious possible-eunuch who is a counsellor to the monarch and seems to be the power behind the throne and who is called Varr, it doesn’t half make that difficult). There is no longer a question mark over Abrecan – he is, in fact, working to bring down his sister, but doing so behind the scenes because betraying one’s sister doesn’t look good politically. So far, so straightforward. The fact that Slean now knows and is not telling his mother is mildly more interesting – does he want to join Abrecan, or does he just want a hold over him? The former seems more likely, though he looked like he might have a touch of conscience when Beowulf said he came to rescue him. Beowulf himself, unfortunately, is still one of the less complex characters in the show, and indeed, he barely registered in this episode (if you took him out of the story, assuming you put a random soldier who’s good with a sword in his place, nothing would change). It’s also rather a shame that one of the most fun and likeable characters has been killed off after only two episodes. We’ll have to hope that his brother proves equally interesting. Read Juliette’s review of the previous episode, here.
