As the 8th episode begins, Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer) tries to decipher the Book of Life. Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode) enters and sits next to her. She says the book is resisting her, but Matthew believes it is making her ill. Seconds later, Peter Knox (Owen Teale) meets with Gerbert (Trevor Eve) and tells him he has located a letter written by Edward Kelley. The letter proves the theory that the book was in Edward’s possession in 1591. Kelley tore three pages out and claimed he gave one page to each of the three species. Peter couldn’t summon the book because it was unfinished, but Gerbert reminds him that Diana Bishop managed it. Knox argues that finding a page might help them call it up from the Bodleian. Gerbert offers to speak to Ysabeau (Lindsay Duncan) since the vampire page might be in the possession of Matthew.

Peter says he is investigating the witches’ page. Emily Mather (Valarie Pettiford) sits around and looks at a page from a book before the intro begins. After the intro, Marcus Whitmore (Edward Bluemel) tries to pick an outfit before getting a visit from Miriam Shepherd (Aiysha Hart). She claims he has been avoiding her and quickly rushes through the door before Marcus can shut it on her. Once inside, they discuss Matthew’s decision to make Marcus the head of the Knights. Miriam tells him that Philippe wanted to eradicate blood rage to prevent humans from discovering their existence and to protect Ysabeau. Matthew became his assassin but he failed to follow orders and didn’t kill Marcus. Marcus isn’t happy that everyone lied to him. He says he is done with it and Baldwin can be Grand Master.

He tells Miriam about the things that are important to him before looking at something that belongs to Phoebe, but Miriam tells him that she isn’t worth it. She warns him that he can’t deny what he is. Marcus isn’t sure about that. Marcus returns the item to Phoebe (Adelle Leonce) and she thanks him for doing so. He uses the opportunity to tell Phoebe he was telling the truth about being a vampire before showing her something belonging to the Knights of Lazarus. He reveals he is the Grand Master of the Knights, but Phoebe doesn’t believe it. Before the conversation ends, Marcus offers to answer her questions when she is ready. She takes the items to her desk while Marcus talks to Nathaniel (Daniel Ezra) about hiding who he is his entire life.

Nathaniel and Marcus discuss it being a personal growth before Sophie (Aisling Loftus) carefully walks down the stairs. She tells them the baby is coming although it is very early. Next, Emily tries to perform another spell and sees Rebecca Bishop (Sophia Myles) once again. Emily tells Rebecca she needs her help before asking how the book is connected to Diana. She doesn’t get an answer before Rebecca disappears. Sarah (Alex Kingston) walks in and finds Emily perform the spell. This leads to an argument since Emily promised she wouldn’t use her magic. Sarah warns her that higher magic is addicted but Emily wants her help. Sarah is worried that helping Diana could kill Emily in the process. That night, Gerbert calls Ysabeau and tells her it is time to pick a side.

Ysabeau tells him she won’t be engaging with his games before he asks about the Ashmole pages. He threatens to tear down the chateau if she has the pages, but she tells him he’ll do well to remember who he is threatening. Seconds later, Ysabeau takes Emily a drink outside. Sophie goes to the hospital so she can have her baby with Nathaniel by her side. The baby is delivered quickly. They learn that the baby is just perfect and Sophie is allowed to hold the baby. Marcus steps inside to see them cuddle around the baby. Later that night, Phoebe gets curious about the items but leaves after saying goodbye to Wilf. She returns and tells Wilf (Mark Holden) she needs him to look at something. She shows him the item Marcus gave her and he tells her to leave it with him. While he studies the artifact, Phoebe searches for the Knights of Lazarus on her computer.

She finds something interesting and goes down to the vault. When she gets down there, she is startled by Domenico (Gregg Chillin) who wants to ask about the robberies. He pretends to be with the police and wants to know if Marcus told her about the stolen items. She realizes he isn’t a police officer and Wilf enters in time to stop anything from happening. Wilf says he thinks the artifact is Plantagenet or even older. Louise is going to give them a second opinion about it tomorrow. Domenico learns about Marcus giving it to her and Marcus being the Grand Master of the Knights of Lazarus. He thanks Phoebe for her help before leaving. Next, Emily asks Sarah if they can call a truce and Sarah agrees to do so. Miriam arrives at the hospital and gets to see Sophie’s new baby. Nathaniel tells them they’re going to name the baby Margaret but Miriam doesn’t understand that.

Seconds later, she notices that the baby’s blood is singing. That confirms she is a witch and they’ll need to stop the Congregation from finding her. Marcus encourages them to take Margaret to Sept-Tours as soon as the doctors give them the all clear. Sarah talks to Emily about watching her and Rebecca working their magic together. She confesses she was desperate to be a part of it, but she was too stubborn to do so. They wonder if they should do a jailbreak tonight because they need to know more about the page and they might be able to find Emily’s sacred site. Emily doesn’t think it is far. Sarah tells her she doesn’t want to do it alone and it does frighten her. In the morning, Phoebe approaches Marcus and confirms she is ready for his answers. Marcus tells Phoebe about his father Matthew de Clermont.

He says Matthew turned him into a vampire and the woman is Diana Bishop. She is a witch and it is a long story. He admits the pictures from the other night were all of him. He goes on to tell her he was born in 1757 and Matthew sired him in 1781. He was working as a surgeon’s assistant in the Continental Army when he was dying of fever. Matthew offered him survival and he took it before admitting it can get lonely at times. He has a vampire family and human friends who don’t know he is a vampire. Only Phoebe knows the truth about him. He shows her that his heart beats slower and he says it loves longer. They continue the conversation outside as Marcus tells them about their diet. Then, they go inside for a drink and Marcus tells her about the creatures he has worked with. He says they’re slowly dying out and they aren’t sure why.

He claims humans are advancing quickly in terms of technology, but they’re going backward socially. He argues that human prejudice is worse than ever. When they return to Marcus’s place, they look at the 1948 Olympic Games picture and Marcus says he remembers when Blankers-Koen on her fourth gold medal. They discuss Ysabeau’s relationship with Philippe and his death. Marcus says they tend to move every so often to develop new connections since it is easier that way. He tells her mother about vampire attributes before they have intercourse. He goes to the store for her and returns in less than a minute. Eventually, they begin talking about Domenico. They say Domenico respected the emblem since The Knights are a noble institution. Marcus reveals he intends to stop being the Grand Master but Phoebe doesn’t believe it.

She encourages him to use the Knights to help everyone for future generations. He meets with Baldwin (Trystan Gravelle) who believes Marcus is going to name him Grand Master, but Marcus admits he can’t do that. He says he’ll be using the Knights to make a positive change for all creatures. Marcus says Baldwin will play an important role and he needs his help. They go to a private room and Marcus tells Baldwin about Margaret and how he would like to help. Baldwin says the witches will want the child and the Congregation will support them. Marcus intends to make his first act as Grand Master to protect Margaret and her family and he needs Baldwin’s help to divert the Congregation’s attention. Baldwin is more worried about the blood-raged killed and argues that Marcus has spent too much time with humans.

He refuses to take orders from infants. He goes on to say that Philippe should’ve culled every member of Ysabeau’s bloodline and that includes Marcus. The argument continues as Marcus says he can see why Philippe was so disappointed in Baldwin. Gerbert approaches Domenico so he can find out what information he has. Domenico wants more but Gerbert doesn’t want to negotiate. Marcus walks down in the distance and Gerbert tells Domenico not to overplay his hand or he’ll pull out of the deal. Then, Gerbert approaches Baldwin to find out why Marcus visited the island. Baldwin says it is a family matter before Gerbert recommends telling what he knows. Baldwin tells him about Marcus trying to protect a child. Nathaniel and Sophie spend time together in the hospital with Margaret. Domenico confronts Marcus and says the 16th century is the worst holiday destination ever.

Marcus pretends he doesn’t know what he is talking about. Domenico says he will catch the Oxford vampire and their identity and his loyalty will be for sale. Since Marcus is Grand Master, he should find a way to pay Domenico for his loyalty. Marcus encourages him to return when he actually has something to sell. Peter Knox and Gerbert discuss the child Marcus is protecting. Peter visits Nathaniel and Sophie at the hospital and puts them both to sleep with a spell. He approaches Margaret and tells the baby she has nothing to fear. Agatha Wilson (Tanya Moodie) enters and finds out what has happened. He says arrangements will follow at a later date since the child is a witch and will be raised by her species. Agatha threatens to kill him but Peter isn’t afraid. Later that night, Sarah and Emily go for a stroll in hopes of finding Emily’s special spot.

Emily encourages her to hurry since Ysabeau will scold them if she finds them outside. They work together to perform Emily’s spell. Rebecca appears and calls Sarah’s name. Sarah goes after her and breaks the spell. Emily says it is okay. Diana sleeps with the book and dreams about the tree. It looks like the tree loses its color and holds many faces. She wakes up and tells Matthew she doesn’t think everything is okay.

 

A Discovery Of Witches Review

I am a bit torn over this episode of A Discovery of Witches. Despite being one of the better episodes this season, it still had a lot of low points. The biggest problem is that the show goes on long tirades without providing any content of substance. Marcus and Phoebe discussed vampires and their secrets for what felt like 10 or 15 minutes.

It really felt unnecessary. Second, I am worried that there is too much going on simultaneously. Marcus is struggling with his new responsibilities, Domenico is searching for the vampire killer, we have a witch baby that needs protection, and we have a whole bunch of things happening in the 16th century.

What will matter in the end? How much of what we’ve seen so far will matter in the long run? I think it is time for Diana and Matthew to return to the present so the story can get a move on. The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Previous recaps of A Discovery of Witches can be found on Reel Mockery.