Mayfair Witches Recap: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Rowan

by

This is a serious question: What is Rowan even doing here anymore?

Rowan seems busy and crucial throughout the morning, giving off an impression of significant, life-saving tasks, but if she had been confined to that basement for the entire show, events would have unfolded identically. The only actions she takes are avoiding chances to be productive. Opportunities come directly to her.

At some point, a vial containing Lasher’s blood – exactly what she had requested hours earlier – was given to her. Accompanied by Bonnie, Ian’s wife opens the basement door, gives her the container, and tells her to leave. However, instead of accepting the advantage, Rowan insists, “I’m just a conduit for other characters to speak through; I don’t really contribute much,” and returns the blood. In an unexpected turn, Rowan presses for Julien’s plan, puzzling Mrs. Mayfair since Julien is already deceased. It’s only then that she inquires about seeing Moira, and Mrs. Mayfair grants her request immediately. Despite Mrs. Mayfair’s attempts to assist Rowan and her family in escaping this nightmare, Rowan consistently refuses to take control of the situation.

It’s amusing how characters speak highly of Rowan, portraying her as a cunning manipulator, when it’s evident that she’s not. As Julien puts it admiringly, “Rowan might weave quite a web,” yet she often ends up tangling herself in it. Rowan struggles to manage her own affairs, let alone control others’. Yesterday, she declared that she only desired enough Lasher’s blood to save her sister; today, she appears concerned about Lasher’s safety as if this had been her focus all along. I can’t stand hearing Rowan complain about her trapped sister Jojo anymore, as it seems she doesn’t truly care. Abandoning Moira once more, this time in a cold, concrete room with a guard named Fiona who’s known for her knives, Rowan promises to return for her soon. Of course you will, Ro.

As a devoted follower, I find myself drawn towards Lasher once more, but this time, Mrs. Mayfair seems to have other matters at hand – perhaps cleaning up the remnants of last night’s grisly encounter involving one of her formidable offspring. Undeterred, I follow the strange sensation in my fingertips that always leads me to him. True enough, there he is, uninterested in any rescue attempts.

It turns out that Ian’s son, the one who has been guiding Lasher on excursions to refresh his memory and persuade him to remain, has finally stumbled upon a suitable location – a 500-year-old church where Lasher once served as a priest. Now, with memories fully restored, Lasher is determined to proceed with the magical wedding ceremony. Yet another brilliant move on my part that yielded no tangible results.

In our narrative, Rowan’s role for storytelling wasn’t essential since Sip was simultaneously learning about Rowan’s past from a Lasher mummy left behind in Amsterdam, as Lasher shared this information with Rowan. (Lasher’s bodies are discardable, much like single-use plastics.) By the way, I want to extend my congratulations on your promotion, Sip. You truly are a standout!

In a bygone era, Lasher was born as an illegitimate child to a revered queen, possibly Queen Mary Stuart. Due to his inherited magical abilities and the accelerated aging trait, his mother concealed his birth, claiming he had perished at birth, and sent him to live in the wilderness with his father, a certain nobleman. An interesting tidbit: it was during Queen Mary Stuart’s reign that witchcraft became punishable by death, triggering the infamous Scottish witch hunts.

Lasher’s unique ability lies in the vitality contained within his blood; if a drop of it touches an object, such as a rock, life forms like green moss can grow there. An intriguing trait indeed! Lasher chose to use his powers for the greater good and became a priest, until he encountered his one true love, Emaleth. Overwhelmed by an irresistible desire to procreate, he was forced to disassociate himself from the church (a common occurrence).

Unfortunately, Lasher met his demise and has spent the last 500 years employing Mayfair witches in an attempt to resurrect himself. By the way, many thanks for the temporary uterus, Rowan. Now, he and Emaleth can finally marry and start a family, which is the essence of Lasher’s existence.

It appears Rowan finds it foolish to prioritize having children as the core of one’s life, a viewpoint that seems somewhat ironic given the circumstances. She invests a brief time attempting to persuade Lasher to avoid the Scottish Mayfairs, but he insists on her attendance for the wedding. Consequently, she attends the wedding, even though it means witnessing her young son make his vows. However, she has more than just that experience with him, given their previous relationship. What took me aback about the wedding was the provision of a privacy curtain for Lasher and Emaleth during the ceremony, as if this family hasn’t already seen each other in various states of undress. To clarify, the entire ceremony consists of restraining Lasher and Emaleth with floral harnesses until the priest signals, at which point they rush together to consummate their union.

Does it ever cross Rowan’s mind in the morning to see how Lark is doing? No, not a chance. Poor Lark, who must be wishing he hadn’t decided to reconcile with Rowan at this moment, was visited by a group of witches during the night, but not in a flirtatious manner as I initially assumed. This night-time squad wasn’t there to charm Lark, but rather to connect him to the Scottish Mayfairs. So, if anyone (meaning Rowan) were to harm one of them, it would be Lark who suffers the consequences. It’s apparent that the Scottish Mayfairs don’t yet know that Rowan is inherently inept.

In this unfolding narrative, I can’t help but feel a sense of concern as Cortland finds himself ensnared in a complex web spun by his brother Ian – physically, emotionally, and digitally. It’s clear where Rowan honed her keen insights, given the deception that flows so effortlessly from Ian. As we had anticipated, he manipulates Cortland with the skill of an unskilled bagpiper playing a second-hand instrument.

Ian has shared with Cortland that Julien intends to seize control of Hamish’s body, and it seems this is a line Ian will not let be crossed. Cortland tries to maintain his heroic image, offering to join forces with Ian in the nearby Victrola – a relic from Scotland – to persuade Julien otherwise with compelling reasons and familial affection. However, their plan is nothing more than a ruse, designed to lure Cortland into the netherworld, allowing Julien to usurp… his own body.

A notable aspect of this tale that often slips my mind is that Cortland is immortal – a fact that carries significant weight in the storyline.

If Cortland’s fate matters to me (a man known for his evil acts as a rapist), I’d express that I don’t think he should be expecting any help from Rowan. However, since the only good thing about Cortland is his skill in pattern-mixing, I’m content to watch him suffer instead of helping him.

Additional Questions, Comments, and Concerns

For this wedding, the dress code leans towards an elegant Elizabethan style reminiscent of the fashion portrayed in “Reign”. However, it seems that Emaleth may have opted for a more bohemian look by purchasing her dress from Free People instead.

• With Lark now bound to the family’s corpses, does this imply that Bonnie is no longer implicated? If it does, then Rowan has made significant progress, falling just short of complete success.

Without a doubt, as soon as Sip and his Talamasca companion arrive at Kilbride, they’re swiftly captured by the police due to Sip’s knack for being perpetually clumsy.

• Everyone tells Rowan she really just likes the power Lasher gives her, and they are right.

Read More

2025-02-24 07:54