As the episode begins, Gallowglass (Steven Cree) guides the boat ahead while Matthew (Matthew Goode) and Diana (Teresa Palmer) hug in the back. When they arrive, Diana is told that people already know about their arrival. It seems Philippe (James Purefoy) has sent a welcoming party for them. Gallowglass says goodbye and tells Diana not to lose him or herself. After the intro, we return to 1590 London just in time to see Kit Marlowe (Tom Hughes) nearly kill a barkeep who wakes him up. When he leaves, he believes he sees a man having sex with a harlot on the street. He turns around and we see that it is Louisa De Clermont (Elaine Cassidy) taking a man’s blood. Before he can leave, Louisa calls his name.

She says she is in London because she needed to escape the tedium of Venice. And, she is there to see Matthew, but he has gone to France. She is surprised that Kit isn’t with him. He tells her to come with him because they have a lot to discuss. Meanwhile, Matthew and Diana discuss Ysabeau and whether she’ll accept Diana into the family. Louisa learns about Matthew’s witch and Kit says it was love and not sorcery. She wonders how she is going to amuse herself without Matthew with her. She kisses Kit but she finds out that his heart is broken but it still beats. Then, she says she has arrived too late to save her brother from the clutches of his witch. She is just in time to save Kit from melancholy so he asks what she has in mind.

Meanwhile, Matthew and Diana continue their journey before stopping for the night. Matthew says Philippe doesn’t care for the subtleties of the Christian schism. He is only trying to stop France from being torn apart by it, and he doesn’t think humans can be trusted to sort out the mess themselves. Matthew argues that the guards remind him of the freedom he is losing as they get closer and closer to his father. He says they need to show themselves to him or their path to Bohemia and the book will be blocked. Meanwhile, Louisa flirts with Kit as they shoot guns together. A guard approaches and insults Louisa so she shoots him. Then, she asks Kit if she is better company than her brother. Kit says yes. In the morning, Matthew wakes up Diana and tells her that the weather has turned for the worst.

After a brief chat, they continue toward their destination. During their journey, they find a small village that has been burned. Diana wants to stop and look for survivors, but the others are worried that the responsible soldiers could be nearby. The journey continues until Diana falls asleep and Matthew transports her. When they stop, Pierre (Milo Twomey) encourages Diana to get some rest. Diana says she isn’t going to let Matthew’s stepfather be the one thing that gets between them. Pierre only knows that his lord will need her at Sept-Tours. He encourages Diana to be his guiding light. Diana and Matthew spend time together in a tent. They chat briefly before nearly having sex but Matthew says not now. In the morning, Diana wakes up alone with a gift next to her.

She joins the others as Pierre says this is where he leaves them. Matthew wants him to find them lodging in Bohemia and to keep an eye on Gallowglass. Diana and Matthew push forward. They stop and Matthew tells Diana he wishes he could prepare her for whatever is about to happen. He tells her not to try to read Philippe. Diana is worried about Matthew. He admits he has lost a lot of people and seeing Philippe again will reopen that wound. They reach their destination a short time after that. When they step inside, Diana tells Matthew it seemed so empty last time they were here. He admits it can still feel lonely. Philippe calls Matthew’s name before they step inside to speak with him. He asks Matthew to explain himself. Matthew gives him the coin and says he is here as commanded.

The conversation quickly turns to Diana being a witch, but she says she is a weaver. Philippe is not impressed by that. He says he has seen things she has only read about in history books, but she says she has seen things that aren’t even in history books yet. Then, Matthew learns that Father Hubbard was the informant. Philippe says Matthew seems out of place before learning about them moving through time because they were in serious danger. Diana says she was spellbound as a child and needed to find a teacher but couldn’t find one in her own time. She ultimately says she loves Matthew and he loves her.

Philippe wonders about that and says Matthew would’ve consummated it if the relationship really meant something to him. Philippe tells them their beds are ready and he hopes they don’t expect to share a bed. When they reach their room, Diana and Matthew argue about things. He says they’re mated as far as he is concerned. She wonders why he is holding back and he says it is complicated. He tells her she might want to bed his father before she slaps him across the face and he exits the room. Matthew goes to his father knowing he wanted to create problems between them. Matthew doesn’t want to answer his questions, but Philippe seems to know everything anyway. Philippe wonders if his son has been eating enough and he believes Matthew bears ill will towards him for something he is yet to do.

He wants Matthew to hunt and feed tomorrow. In the morning, Matthew goes out and Diana is awoken by a woman who wants to help her get dressed. When she gets out of bed, she talks to Philippe about Matthew’s decision to go hunting. He tells her she is the highest-ranking woman in Sept-Tours with his wife’s absence. He gives her the keys that supposedly open the food store, bakehouse, laundry, and other things. She says she won’t be there long enough for that, but he hoped she accept them as a gesture and mark of his respect. She asks which one opens the library but he says they don’t lock up the books in this house. Philippe takes her to the library and encourages her to take whatever she likes. Matthew goes hunting. Another witch approaches Philippe and hopes to speak to him on a matter of urgency.

Diana gets the ring from her bag and puts it around her finger. Seconds later, Philippe and Champier (Paul Brennen) enter. Champier claims he was summoned by Diana. He knew a powerful force was there and believes Diana can’t remember anything about her past. Champier wants to help unlock her painful memories, but Diana doesn’t want his help. He grabs her and looks at her deep wounds. He watches as Matthew feeds from her. He calls Diana a traitor and wants to take her memories. Matthew hears her scream so he rushes to her room. Diana uses her magic to grab Matthew’s knife and kill Champier. Diana says no again before Champier drops to the ground.

 

A Discovery Of Witches Review

Overall, this was a much better episode of A Discovery Of Witches. The last two have been pretty good so I hope the show can maintain this quality from here on out. The only thing I’ll say is that some of the acting was a bit miss or hit this episode. I can tolerate some bad acting as long as the story is compelling.

I would have liked to have seen more of Louisa and Kit. That relationship could be very interesting and problematic. At the very least, it could add more drama to the show. I just wish there was more cohesion between the past and present. Still, this episode showed promise so I am hopeful that things are going to continue improving.

This episode of A Discovery of Witches scores a 7 out of 10. Remember that you can catch up with previous recaps of A Discovery of Witches on Reel Mockery!