“Let The Right One In” ends its first season on a high note as Mark and Eleanor’s loyalties are tested.
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“Let The Right One In” ends its first season on a high note as Mark and Eleanor’s loyalties are tested.
| Aired (Showtime) | 12/9/2022 |
| Episode Title | What’s Done In The Dark |
| Director(s) | Chloe Okuno |
| Writer(s) | Andrew Hinderaker |
Recap
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Claire Makes Mark The Deal Of A Lifetime – Mark, Claire, Eleanor, Peter, Zeke
So here is the deal, Mark and Eleanor can live in Claire’s mansion with her and Peter, and while Claire looks for a cure, Mark will continue to do what he has always done. He will get food for Eleanor and also Peter. It isn’t clear if he was expected to get one person each or if they would share, but that was the deal.
As for all else that Matthew did? It isn’t clear what would happen to the drug business. But what is clear is that Mark is contemplating the proposal. Eleanor knows Peter, and they bond to a point. Also, Eleanor bonds with Claire since she is into science, and Claire seems like a potential big sister. Add in Eleanor would get a rather large bedroom and get to roam freely, and it seems she is set.
But, again, this is all very complicated for Mark. It was one thing to kill people for just Eleanor but not Peter too? Add on, he is expected to kill Naomi to buy Claire time? He decides to visit Elizabeth’s grave and invites Zeke. For he wants to make sure that, when all is said and done, he can turn himself in, and Zeke will take up the duties of a godfather and finish raising Eleanor.
Naomi’s Suspicions & Isaiah’s Broken Heart – Ben, Naomi, Isaiah, Eleanor, Mark, Debra
With Debra really trying to befriend Naomi, she offers her the chance to join her in Canada to follow up on some previous investigations into Mark’s past victims. Unfortunately, Naomi can’t go because she lacks childcare, and it just not being a good time. To help alleviate her feelings, specifically about Mark, she offers to have his phone tracked to know where he is. Naomi agrees to this, and Debra learns that Mark has a burner phone and has been around Claire’s house.
With learning this, Naomi has Ben check for Mark’s fingerprints, based on the box he left for Isaiah’s cake, and when she learns that Mark’s prints are a match? Oh, she is pissed. Mind you, she was already upset with Mark since she has been calling him over Eleanor saying she and Isaiah can’t talk anymore. But, after learning he was involved with Frank’s murder? She is in a fiery rage, and considering Mark showed up, making it seem he is ready to talk, then dodges her? She follows him to Claire’s home and is ready to blow her case wide open.
Claire Tricks Eleanor And Naomi Says Goodbye – Naomi, Isaiah, Eleanor, Mark, Claire, Peter
Claire is mesmerizing to Eleanor. She is a scientist who may cure her, is a MacArthur award winner (nicknamed “The Genius Grant”), and comes off as kind and likable. Yet, for Claire, she sees Eleanor as the perfect specimen to test on. Peter and Eleanor share the same person who infected them, and she is younger and a bit more naïve, so what else could she ask for? But, Claire underestimating Mark’s ability to push back leads to some issues.
First and foremost, after introducing Eleanor to Daisy and revealing she is infected but can age, Eleanor also makes it clear she wants to. She even calls Isaiah to let him know, and both are a bit excited, though Isaiah feels that, whether Eleanor ages or not, he’ll still like her. In fact, he finds out when Mark visits to potentially kill Naomi, and when he hugs Mark goodbye, Isaiah tells this to Mark. Thus confirming that Isaiah does know about Eleanor and Mark’s fears about that are unfounded.
But, alongside Isaiah making it clear Mark’s fears are unfounded, he also becomes the reason Mark likely didn’t go through with killing Naomi. Thus, he makes a mad dash for Claire’s to reveal he can’t do it, and Naomi follows. However, before he can talk about the Naomi situation, he questions why Claire is in a surgical outfit, and then with seeing Eleanor in braces and clearly having something done to her, he flips out.
This causes a notable tussle between Eleanor, Peter, Mark, and Claire, which Naomi joins when she heads into the basement. Now, here is what the various tussles are. Mark gets upset, and Peter holds him, and Claire orders Peter to kill Mark. Naomi shows up, and Peter is ordered to handle her, and as he bashes her head in, Mark goes to release Eleanor from her cuffs. Claire stabs him, Mark is able to release Eleanor, and she knocks Claire out. From there, she flings Peter like a ragdoll to save Naomi.
Well, at least she tried to. By the time they get her outside, Mark is ready to call it but considering Isaiah has already lost his dad, Eleanor refuses to have him lose his mom, so she infects Naomi and turns her into a vampire.
Things To Note
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- With Eleanor, assumingly, able to age now, will they keep the same actress to play her? It’s hard to say how much Daisy has aged and whether she is now her real age rather than resuming the process, hence the question
- How will Naomi becoming a vampire complicate her relationship with Mark and Claire? Never mind, when she kills to feed, will she take Mark’s route and focus on criminals or other undesirables?
- Will Isaiah learn quickly that his mom is a vampire and perhaps ask to be turned as well? Maybe even get upset with Eleanor for turning Naomi and not him?
- With Eleanor and Mark having a tussle with Claire and Peter, is it safe to assume their arrangement is over as quickly as it begun?
- So what is going to happen with Matthew’s drug business?
- Where was Zeke all this time, since the Roland murder?
- Why did Claire think she could get away with making Eleanor a guinea pig?
What Could Happen Next
- Naomi freaking out as this vampire stuff comes on quickly, and us seeing a new dynamic between her and Eleanor since Naomi is older, but Eleanor is her maker
- Isaiah is going to feel some kind of way about Naomi being made a vampire – It’s hard to say if it will be positive, negative, or mixed emotions
- Eleanor is going to learn what Mark did to Frank and probably feel torn about Isaiah finding out
- Claire will probably admonish Peter for losing a fight to Eleanor
- We’ll see Eleanor slowly get older and probably cling to Naomi about it, especially when she starts her period
Review
Notable Performances or Moments
- The fake out of Mark killing Naomi was notable since, if you weren’t paying attention, you’d think it happened
Highlights
Naomi Becoming A Vampire
Naomi becoming a vampire is a game changer. Not only does she have to adjust her life and Isaiah’s, but now she has to worry about feeding, and it potentially changes her dynamic with Eleanor and Mark. Her understanding why Mark killed who he did, and why, could change how she looks at him. For while she loved Frank, he was into some janky stuff, and while he doesn’t fit the predator MO that Mark usually goes after, he was into something illegal.
Then, as noted above with Eleanor, those two have an entirely new bond now. Eleanor is her maker, and she is a maternal figure in Eleanor’s life, and who knows how intense that may get. We saw what Peter went through, and that was a stranger. Imagine how Eleanor feels, and she already had a foundation laid down.
But, perhaps the biggest thing Naomi may give Eleanor, and maybe Peter, is the ability to not be scared and to have lives. Naomi doesn’t have the luxury of a Zeke or Matthew to help finance her life. She has to work. So her going to work, having a family, and getting some form of normalcy might be the precedent Eleanor needs to regain some sense of humanity. Now, will she be able to bring Isaiah along for the ride is worth questioning, but what matters most is Naomi’s impact as the first adult vampire, who we’ll see on a regular basis, on this show.
The Battles that May Come Between Eleanor and Peter
Eleanor embarrassing Peter likely will not go over well. She is younger than him, is a girl, and with no Mark around, Claire likely will expect Peter to step up. Not only in terms of feeding himself but maybe stepping in for Matthew as well in other ways. So, him losing to Eleanor might be what Claire uses as a motivator and as a means to taunt him. This could lead to him wanting a rematch to redeem himself, but Naomi has been teaching Eleanor self-defense (albeit she took one class), and if she continues, Peter may get his ass whooped again.
Eleanor and Isaiah’s Relationship
Yes, this has pretty much been a highlight every other episode, but I think it needs to be said one last time because, Eleanor hasn’t really seemed all that focused on her age for most of the time we’ve known her. It has been driven in that she is 22, but she has seemed fine with looking 12 and having the life of a 12-year-old. But now with Isaiah and thoughts of him aging beyond her, her going for the first opportunity she was told to age up shouldn’t be lost on the audience.
On top of that, her calling Isaiah before the procedure and Isaiah telling Mark he is fine with who she is, it just presents a relationship that is too ideal. Which makes me hope they don’t try to dismantle their relationship in season 2.
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Good breakdown, sir. Very good thoughts to EP10, What’s Done In The Dark, Might I add mines? No critique just my opinion and what I thought about it too.
Breakdown#1 ‘Claire Makes Mark The Deal Of A Lifetime – Mark, Claire, Eleanor, Peter, Zeke’
You: So here is the deal, Mark and Eleanor can live in Claire’s mansion with her and Peter, and while Claire looks for a cure, Mark will continue to do what he has always done. He will get food for Eleanor and also Peter. It isn’t clear if he was expected to get one person each or if they would share, but that was the deal.
Me: Right. I took it as Claire wanted Mark to kill for both Peter as well. She wants Mark to be the one to get his hands dirty. And as she said, he’s good at it.
You: As for all else that Matthew did? It isn’t clear what would happen to the drug business. But what is clear is that Mark is contemplating the proposal. Eleanor knows Peter, and they bond to a point. Also, Eleanor bonds with Claire since she is into science, and Claire seems like a potential big sister. Add in Eleanor would get a rather large bedroom and get to roam freely, and it seems she is set.
Me: I agree. The drug business is still in the air. Will Claire be force to continue it? Maybe. I felt no sisterly vibes from Claire. She had a plan after the events in EP9. I can’t even say Eleanor was looking for a “big sister”. Admiration for Claire achievements sure, but Eleanor was still hesitant through the EP. I got a sense of Eleanor wondering why they were treating her so nice, especially giving her that bedroom.
You: But, again, this is all very complicated for Mark. It was one thing to kill people for just Eleanor but not Peter too? Add on, he is expected to kill Naomi to buy Claire time? He decides to visit Elizabeth’s grave and invites Zeke. For he wants to make sure that, when all is said and done, he can turn himself in, and Zeke will take up the duties of a godfather and finish raising Eleanor.
Me: Claire was just asking wayyy to much of Mark, right off the bat. Her thirst for revenge clouded her judgment. The Naomi thing wasn’t urgent enough to kill her. She could had a lawyer to stall Naomi and even a restraining order. She could had told Matthew that. But she’s a scientist and not a legal expert. I did like Mark owning up to the kills and taking responsibility AFTER Eleanor would be cure. Not sure Zeke wants that responsibility however.
Breakdown#2 ‘Naomi’s Suspicions & Isaiah’s Broken Heart – Ben, Naomi, Isaiah, Eleanor, Mark, Debra’
You: With Debra really trying to befriend Naomi, she offers her the chance to join her in Canada to follow up on some previous investigations into Mark’s past victims. Unfortunately, Naomi can’t go because she lacks childcare, and it just not being a good time. To help alleviate her feelings, specifically about Mark, she offers to have his phone tracked to know where he is. Naomi agrees to this, and Debra learns that Mark has a burner phone and has been around Claire’s house.
Me: I do like this old gruff Interpol agent. She and Naomi would make a good team. Even though I really like Ben too. Some online speculate, Debra is a vampire or familiar? I’m not certain about that. But in Blade(the first one) he said the vampires are everywhere, in every faction of society. So…Debra might be some thing of importance if they go that way.
Breakdown#3 ‘Claire Tricks Eleanor And Naomi Says Goodbye – Naomi, Isaiah, Eleanor, Mark, Claire, Peter’
You: Claire is mesmerizing to Eleanor. She is a scientist who may cure her, is a MacArthur award winner (nicknamed “The Genius Grant”), and comes off as kind and likable. Yet, for Claire, she sees Eleanor as the perfect specimen to test on. Peter and Eleanor share the same person who infected them, and she is younger and a bit more naïve, so what else could she ask for? But, Claire underestimating Mark’s ability to push back leads to some issues.
Me: She was fascinated by Claire without a doubt, and had Claire was smart she could have taken her time to turn Eleanor even against Mark, somewhat. But yeah the likable and smiles was so fake for me. Stabbing that needle into Eleanor, yeah she was pure evil. She wanted her to feel as much pain as possible for Matthew. So many instances in this EP we see Claire villainous side. I hope it continues for S2. Also, in my opinion, Eleanor is not stupid. A bit naïve, but not dumb. She was too focus on the “cure” to see Claire weird smiles and body language.
You: First and foremost, after introducing Eleanor to Daisy and revealing she is infected but can age, Eleanor also makes it clear she wants to. She even calls Isaiah to let him know, and both are a bit excited, though Isaiah feels that, whether Eleanor ages or not, he’ll still like her. In fact, he finds out when Mark visits to potentially kill Naomi, and when he hugs Mark goodbye, Isaiah tells this to Mark. Thus confirming that Isaiah does know about Eleanor and Mark’s fears about that are unfounded.
Me: I did like this scene. Eleanor was creep out and asking why of all the rooms were this her favorite lol I would’ve said the same thing. I took Eleanor calling Isaiah to tell him also, as what a love one does before any procedure, minor/major. To hear their voice and feel comfort, say things you want to share…just in case, you know.
Isaiah is a sweet boy. He doesn’t care about appearances or what could be strange to others, he just wants friendship, his bestest of friend back. And to make sure she’s ok. It was nice to see them talk for that short period of time. They are the heart of the series. I know some thought it was extreme of him almost deleting the photo of Eleanor but 1) He’s a kid. and 2) In EP9, Eleanor told him why they will NEVER see or talk again. And she wanted him to move on. Isaiah, in his anger, was just moving on. Also with cloud servers that photo is never lost anyways and he still her phone number lol
You: But, alongside Isaiah making it clear Mark’s fears are unfounded, he also becomes the reason Mark likely didn’t go through with killing Naomi. Thus, he makes a mad dash for Claire’s to reveal he can’t do it, and Naomi follows. However, before he can talk about the Naomi situation, he questions why Claire is in a surgical outfit, and then with seeing Eleanor in braces and clearly having something done to her, he flips out.
Me: Yes. Mark was tormented throughout. Without saying so much the actor really show you what good acting can be. You don’t always have to shout your lines or hit walls. Just the expression and body can say so much without uttering a word. Naomi is not dumb. She felt something was off about Mark and made sure she had her gun. Even without, I think Mark’s plan to gas Naomi would not have been easy. She’s not weak at all. Peter only got to her because he has speed and strength. Little she could do against that. Claire again makes mistakes. Too impatient for her own good. Did she think Mark would have been happy to see she was doing the procedure, even if he had killed Naomi? C’mon.
You: This causes a notable tussle between Eleanor, Peter, Mark, and Claire, which Naomi joins when she heads into the basement. Now, here is what the various tussles are. Mark gets upset, and Peter holds him, and Claire orders Peter to kill Mark. Naomi shows up, and Peter is ordered to handle her, and as he bashes her head in, Mark goes to release Eleanor from her cuffs. Claire stabs him, Mark is able to release Eleanor, and she knocks Claire out. From there, she flings Peter like a ragdoll to save Naomi.
Yes: Restraining Eleanor gave Peter the advantage. But he lost it because he didn’t agree with Claire methods all the way. It was brutal seeing Naomi getting her head bash in. This show does not shy away from the power of scariness of what a vampire can do besides biting it’s victims. My hands were over my eyes during this scene because…just hearing and seeing Naomi getting bash like that…it was brutal. Eleanor gladly came and through Peter’s stank butt away. I think Eleanor is the superior vampire here. I think she’s been more active since bitten. But the question for me, who was bitten first, Eleanor or Peter? And would that make someone the “older” of the two?
Yes: Well, at least she tried to. By the time they get her outside, Mark is ready to call it but considering Isaiah has already lost his dad, Eleanor refuses to have him lose his mom, so she infects Naomi and turns her into a vampire.
Me: Naomi, looked bad here…ngl, her last words about Isaiah had me scared, sad, emotional. I could not believe how this came to be. I was not expecting any of it.
And then, Eleanor being who she is, just went full boss mode, and had me saying, Eleanor WTF!!! So loud, I think my neighbors might look at me funny the next time I see them lol. That ending was soooo good!!! So unexpected, I think I rewind the last 5-7 minutes 5-6 times, I know more than that lol. It blew my mind!!!! And it still does.
This is my opinion to your breakdown and reaction. Not a critique, of course lol. I will also attempt to give my opinion to your “Things To Note”, later. Thank you so much.
It was the one of the best season finale I can say I enjoy in the longest time without the added fluff. That being the show really took it time to make you like/hate certain characters. Good writing, acting, directing should never be shortchange in any regard.
This is one of Showtimes good shows and yeah, I subscribe and will stay on and hopefully we get a second season of this wonderful series.