Cursed: Season 1, Episode 2 “Cursed” – Recap/Review (Spoilers)
As Nimue escapes the possibility of death, Merlin saunters to it as he encounters an old, and mysterious, friend.
As Nimue escapes the possibility of death, Merlin saunters to it as he encounters an old, and mysterious, friend.
| Director(s) | Zetna Fuentes |
| Writer(s) | Tom Wheeler |
| Aired (Netflix) | 7/17/2020 |
| Introduced This Episode | |
| Squirrel | Billy Jenkins |
| The Weeping Monk | Daniel Sharman |
| The Widow | Zoe Waites |
| Jonah | Andrew Whipp |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
A Temporary Pet Squirrel – The Weeping Monk, Squirrel, Father Calden, Nimue
With Father Calden handling Nimue’s village, so comes the need to take out those who ran. This task is giving to the Weeping Monk who Nimue gets to escape, but Squirrel isn’t so lucky. In fact, he gets to become bait and later the survivor who gets to warn all those who he comes across. Though, you know what they say about children who live through war and tyranny – those are the ones you have to look out for.
The Widow & The Magician – Merlin, The Widow, King Uther
It isn’t clear why the sky rained blood, but King Uther thought he could coerce Merlin into answers. However, the very drunk magician has no desire to answer to the king and instead ventures down the path the Red Paladins burned people, and during this journey, he comes across The Widow. She is a mysterious figure, one who seems in tune with the Shadow Lords, and might be a friend of Merlin.
However, as anyone associated with Merlin, there is a need to question how deep is the friendship and how high of a value is it held? Especially since Merlin seems unwilling to pursue the path of being the king or at least kingmaker, and instead wishes to taunt those who still have magic and could threaten his life. Perhaps The Widow’s as well.
The Dying Wish – Nimue, Arthur, Jonah, Lenore
In episode 2, we get to see the demon, which marked Nimue when she was 5 and see the ostracized life of Nimue up to present. One in which her father, Jonah, multiple times, seemingly left her to die. However, through it all, Lenore spun whatever tale she needed to in order to get her daughter beyond physically healthy, but also mentally and emotionally strong.
Which is why Arthur, at first, was a blessing to see. For who can Nimue trust at this point? Everyone she knew is dead. So this soldier, one who saved her, seemed like a man from a fairy tale, right?
Well, unfortunately, like Nimue, Arthur wishes to fulfill a dying wish. So while he takes her to a castle, where she might be kept safe, he steals her sword that is meant for Merlin. Someone who may have known Lenore better than episode 1 would lead you to believe.
Heck, I reckon Merlin could be Nimue’s biological father, perhaps?
Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Vomiting at about 6:10
Highlights
Arthur & Nimue
There is something, not about them as a couple, but the idea of them as a couple. Because you know King Arthur’s tale doesn’t include a Nimue and it even appears Nimue dies in the end. Now, whether she dies fighting for Arthur to take the throne, or because she gets betrayed by Arthur? Who knows. However, with a castle in the middle of nowhere and him taking her sword, when Nimue wakes up, she may have a mixed reaction to his help.
The Squirrel & The Monk
Am I the only one who got an Arya and The Hound (Game of Thrones) vibe from Squirrel and The Weeping Monk? To be honest, I wasn’t against it since TWP seems like someone connected to the Fay, but is trying to repent or kill his own kind to save his skin. I’d even say that Jenkins might be the only one beyond Langford who has a chance of making this show better than how it started.
Well, depending on who they pair him with.
On The Fence
Are We Getting Violent Moments To Compensate For An Average Story?
I’m not against the violence, for Nimue cutting off a dude’s hand was a welcome shock. However, as noted with many a show and movie, often the more graphic the violence, especially if it calls for blood everywhere, the more it is recognized the story is paltry. Which hasn’t really changed since episode 1. Nimue is still the selling point, and you can see everything is resting on Langford’s shoulders with her co-stars not really given or giving much to share the burden of “Cursed.”
Merlin Seems Like Someone Who Is Made To Be More Interesting Than He Is
Merlin, for example, you can see is supposed to be a potentially fun and alluring character. A drunk with great power. However, I wouldn’t say Skarsgård brings anything to Merlin that makes you miss him when not on screen. He is just another connection to the source material which feels obligatory more so than wanted.
Summary
Trajectory – Plateau
“Cursed” still is in an odd place. It operates on being just enough of any genre or subject matter and doesn’t seem like it wants to excel and be one of the great tales of the King Arthur zeitgeist. Rather, like most productions that either swap a character’s gender, culture, or ethnicity or focus on someone who isn’t the well-known face, “Cursed” piggybacks off a well-known story to present something rather lukewarm.
