A Discovery Of Witches episode 5 review: Digging into the past
Matthew Clairemonts past came to light in the latest episode (Picture: Sky) Diana Bishop and Matthe..
Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairemont declared their love in an act of defiance in the latest episode – but does she really know what is lurking deep within his past?
If youve made it this far into Skys A Discovery Of Witches, youve probably grown a bizarre fondness for the shows hiccups. While its stunning to look at and possesses an intriguing if slightly cliched premise, the romance between its two leads feels undercut by the stodgy, stiff dialogue which collapses into the room with all the grace of a dying giraffe.
The show, however, seems quite content to revel in the occasional snigger. Here, we see Matthews mother provide Diana the least welcoming introduction into the family you can imagine — showing off creepy fox hunts, giving a guided tour over Matthews secret marriage, before explaining how her son hasnt bonked in over 1500 years.
It raises questions for Diana over whether she even knows the vampire shes fallen in love with. Matthew, meanwhile, is aptly up to suspicious activity, plunging his teeth into witch Gillian after discovering she broke into his lab, and conducting tests on Dianas blood to determine how shes summoned the power of witch wind and water.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Turns out, Dianas blood matches the power of witch descendants from centuries ago — with her powers only starting to emerge having lying dormant. Were also told about two witches who will fulfil a prophecy from the blood of the lion and the wolf and bring about the end to vampires — with the show not-so-subtly pointing towards Peter Knoxs right-hand witch Satu as a potential candidate.
As the congregation gets irate over Diana and Matthews persistence to stay together, his brother vows to take matters in his own hands by removing Diana from their family home. This pans out, quite abruptly, in the final moments as Diana is swept up in a flash before the budget caves in.
More: Sky
Its in the conflicts where A Discovery Of Witches is far more enjoyable than its attempts to build touching romance. The script isnt quite playful or smart enough to pull off flirty banter, leaving interactions between Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode to feel oddly robotic – even while theyre rolling around in bed gazing into each others eyes with thirst.
Its now becoming a question of whether A Discovery Of Witches would be the same without this awkward pomposity, though. As a conclusion to the first season feels in reach, the show is continuing to deliver what weve come to expect — lets hope it has some late-game surprises to elevate the fun even further.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A Discovery Of Witches continues on Sky Fridays at 9pm.
MORE: David Walliams mocks Robbie Williams and Take That by arriving in classic 90s mini-leather shorts
Advertisement
Advertisement