Dracula – Series Premiere

It begins with a crypt, and the words “After all these long years. How famished he must be.” “The blood is life.”
And, Dracula rises.

As American as God, guns and burbon, our favorite vampire is now reincarnated as Alexander Grayson (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), and he’s hosting a ball. In comes Mina Murray (Jessica De Gouw) on the arm of Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), and her best friend Lucy (Katie McGrath).  It’s a cast we know and love.  The Master of Carfax Manor appears.
All is well until he sees…… her.
Well, you knew it was coming, best get it over with early.

Jonathan Hawker unwittingly drops a tidbit of news regarding Clive’s vices particularly when it comes to gambling. However, it’s something far closer to the heart that draws Mr. Grayson’s attention to dear Jonathan. Sadly, I feel Jonny boy is always two steps behind. I do hope somewhere along the line he grows a brain cell.

Characters are introduced. Lady Jane Weatherby (Victoria Smurfit), and her boy-toy. Lord Laurent and Clive Dawson will happily swill Mr. Grayson’s booze, but when it comes to business, will have no dealings with an “Interloping Colonial.”

Alexander’s demonstration out of the darkness sets the aristocracies tongues a wagging. Little did they know, Mr. Grayson’s pretty light show nearly killed everyone in attendance. After all these years Dracula knows a thing or three about drama.

And, with that, the future arrives, the gloves come off,  and the fangs come out.
Mr. Grayson could only play pretty for so long. His limit was reached and a card is revealed. The of Order of the Dragon, and its downfall, is his real mission.

A lock gets picked and a head comes off. What trickery is this? Lookie here! A head in a hat box – gift for Jane. How sweet. All is not well, but I like the Ripper reference. Nice touch. Jayne entertains a dalliance with Mr. Grayson, he is a novelty after all, but who is chasing whom? Because his eyes were somewhere else, not that she cared to notice. Gawd! Webster’s never sounded so good! Incorrigible indeed!

Our cast is complete with the appearance of Abraham VanHelsing (Thomas Kretschmann).  I must confess, I actually had warm and fuzzies! It’s probably the accent.

Mina, from the beginning proves herself fiercely independent. Her journey looks far more appealing in this male dominated world and struggling to follow her heart is the center of this story. It is a universal one, and few have the courage to face it.

The death of a Huntsman leads to an unexpected confrontation of a different sort, and our twist!
Van Helsing and Dracula are allies! Genius!

Each wants to dominate, but make no mistake Vlad Tepes is still very much alive and no matter how well you dress him up, he will have his vengeance!