A Discovery of Witches - First Season Finale

The end of the “chapter” (episode) should have had CLIFFHANGER as it faded to black. I mean the season finale literally cuts off right as characters were about to interact. The telegraphing of that conclusion, as Satu, Knox, and Gerbert (yes, Gerbert and Knox join forces) intrude upon the “magic house” in Madison as Diana and Matthew took their sweet time preparing to go back in time (in order for Diana to properly develop with her powers and cultivate them with some degree of control and effect). I laughed at how Diana and Matthew waited and waited while Matthew’s brother—Baldwin narrowly escaping an execution for treason, as he knew the whereabouts of his brother and the witch the Congregation so desired, with help from Domenico (always looking to gain something in return) and Agatha (admitting to Baldwin she had reasons for Diana to remain safe)—was trying to warn them by phone to no avail. Gerbert and Knox conversing about ridding themselves of Baldwin and the De Clermonts in general, I didn’t expect or suspect. How can two such devious individuals with their own reasons to go after as much power as possible agree to help each other when both realize that they can’t be trusted? Satu is the binding between them. Gerbert spares Satu (who is finally regaining her powers) and Knox knows she is much needed to get Diana for themselves. Diana’s power—we see her respond to Juliette’s visceral near fatal attack on Matthew by actually creating a bow and arrow of fire, releasing the arrow right into the heart of Juliette, killing her instantly—is of such consequence because her ancestry remains a mystery so many would like to solve.

While the Congregation convenes, with Baldwin trying to keep his own head on his shoulders as the numbers begin to work against him, a new sort of assembly comes together at Madison. Witches, vampires, and demons all gather together: Agatha’s son, Nat and demon born from witches, pregnant Sophie (her chess piece Matthew lost during a bet many years ago on All Souls Day, in her possession as it was passed down, another intriguing mystery), Hamish (the demon ally of Matthew), Matthew, Matthew’s son, Marcus, and Miriam, Matthew and Marcus’ vampire ally, and, of course, Em, Sarah, and Diana, the witches. Seeing Nat and Marcus developing a friendly dialogue while Marcus chops wood is quite something as is Matthew summoning his son to be the lead of the Knights, an extended vampire arm not associated with the Congregation. But Diana giving her blood to a dying Matthew, beckoning the “goddess” to grant her the ability to rescue him, nearly a victim herself as he bleeds her is the ultimate sacrifice, really building some early drama…a transfusion is needed and recuperation afterward. Diana’s willingness to risk her life as Matthew warned her of how devastating the craving and feeding can be speaks about her feelings for him. The Congregation scene where Baldwin faces an eager Gerbert’s declaration of sentencing for him, as Knox couldn’t encourage the gathering to agree is quite intense, perhaps even more so than the Matthew feeding from Diana. You could see that Baldwin’s sinking in his chair, fear in his eyes, and beating chest indicated the feelings of the end being near.

The timewalking preparations are certainly a significant dramatic buildup that the episode/chapter emphasizes from beginning to end. Can she pull it off, with Matthew alongside her, hand in hand? And if she does, how far back will they go and will they be able to return. Yes, we see them go back 25 days (to when Ysabeau dances with her son as Diana watches in approval) but if Diana were to reach back in time further, would she be able to get them back to the present? And will both of them even be able to jump if Satu, Knox, and Gerbert penetrate the magic house’s shield? Lots of answers left open until the next season. 

Sophie mentions that she feels as if this gathering of them all was a big deal. That all species together as one, unified and not at odds, with Sophie quite unique among her peers, a demon from witches, feeling as if she is alone, despite Nat's and Agatha's love for her (a vision of fear for her own safety as well as her baby's), could be quite a character of significance herself down the road.

[3/5]