PENNY DREADFUL: DEMIMONDE (TV)
Summary
One in this dramatic horror/fantasy series about the mysteries surrounding a number of interrelated characters from classic 19th-century literature.
In this episode, Dorian hosts a Bacchanal of sorts, though he seems disinterested in the proceedings and wanders off to examine a portrait in a closed-off room. Vanessa hovers outside a church and then spots Dorian, whom she follows to a greenhouse. They flirtatiously discuss dangerous kinds of beauty as he shows her a rare orchid. Elsewhere, Professor Van Helsing studies Fenton's blood with Victor, noting that it has a unique quality that prevents coagulation and hinting that he is very familiar with the phenomenon. Caliban lurks outside and threatens the doctor, ordering him to build a female mate for him as promised, though Victor protests that he needs more time and supplies. Brona confides in Ethan about her dark past, including an abusive fiancé; he assures her that he has "sins at his back." He then heads to "work" at Malcolm's home, where the increasingly feral Fenton demands to see Vanessa. Ethan refuses to give him a transfusion and Malcolm offers his blood instead. Ethan is upset by a story in the paper about mutilated murder victims. Malcolm then invites him on a voyage to Africa, though Vanessa doubts that they will truly go. Fenton reawakens and hysterically demands blood, causing Ethan to wonder "how far" they will go in treating him.
Ethan takes Brona out for the evening to see a violent, tragic romance play entitled "The Transformed Beast," also attended by Dorian and Vanessa, with Caliban working backstage and Sembene silently watching Vanessa. Elsewhere, Victor admits his resentment to Malcolm at not being invited to Africa; Malcolm reveals that he sees him as a son and wants to protect him from the danger. He also notes that he only considers Ethan to be "a finger on a trigger." Victor is shocked when Fenton's vampire "master" arrives at the house in search of Vanessa, but Malcolm fights it off. Fenton is killed in the struggle, asking for his "mother" as he dies. Brona, delighted by the play, encounters Dorian, who notes that they have "met" already, and she is upset to notice Ethan's flirtation with the elegant Vanessa. She flees the theater, telling Ethan that their relationship is meaningless and has no future, thanks to her deadly condition. Ethan admits to Dorian that he wishes to "be someone else." Dorian takes him to an underground bar where the patrons place bets on the talents of a rat-killing dog. Ethan is disturbed by the canine-induced carnage, and he ends up fighting with three "gentlemen" who insult his American roots.
Back at his home, Dorian notes that Ethan "plays his part well," and the two toast Vanessa with absinthe. Vanessa returns home and learns of the vampire's visit, and realizes that Mina may have manipulated her by leading her to Fenton. Vanessa tells Malcolm that Mina has reason to hate them both, and Malcolm bitterly notes that -- due to her cruelty -- Vanessa is "the daughter he deserves." Dorian and Ethan discuss art and music, and Dorian plays Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" for him. Affected by the drink and consumed with thoughts of his argument with Brona, Ethan passionately kisses Dorian and initiates a heated sexual encounter.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: November 30, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:24
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 116984
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection; Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Drama, mystery/suspense
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV series, 2014-2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Logan … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Pippa Harris … Executive Producer
- Sam Mendes … Executive Producer
- Karen Richards … Co-Executive Producer
- Chris King … Supervising Producer
- James Flynn … Producer
- Morgan O'Sullivan … Producer
- Nicolas Brown … Co-Producer
- Sheila Hockin … Co-Producer
- Bill Halliday … Visual Effects Producer
- Sarah McMurdo … Visual Effects Producer
- Dearbhla Walsh … Director
- Abel Korzeniowski … Music by
- Timothy Dalton … Cast, Sir Malcolm Murray
- Josh Hartnett … Cast, Ethan Chandler
- Eva Green … Cast, Vanessa Ives
- Reeve Carney … Cast, Dorian Gray
- Billie Piper … Cast, Brona Croft
- Harry Treadaway … Cast, Victor Frankenstein
- Rory Kinnear … Cast, Caliban
- David Warner … Cast, Professor Abraham Van Helsing
- Olly Alexander … Cast, Fenton
- Danny Sapani … Cast, Sembene
- Alun Armstrong … Cast, Vincent Brand
- Hannah Tointon … Cast, Maud Gunneson
- Hayley Canham … Cast, Lucy
- George Hanover … Cast, Nanny
- Gavin Fowler … Cast, Simon
- Martin Phillips … Cast, Stage Manager
- Robert Nairne … Cast, Vampire
- Stephen Bradley … Cast, Gentleman
- Frank Prendergast … Cast, Other Gentleman