A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES: Thoughts on Episode 6

By Christie | May 13, 2019

Diana Bishop is in peril this week, but who will save the day? 

This week on A Discovery of Witches:

Matthew and Baldwin race to save Diana from Satu’s dangerous dark magic. In Oxford, Sophie shocks Agatha with a confession.

So lets talk about Episode 6! Please join us as we share our thoughts on the episode. And while we are at it – there are spoilers below. Lots of them. Read at your own risk.

THE GOOD

Roz: After all this time, Diana has such a small idea of what her powers are and how they work, but to hear that she was Spellbound at the end explains so much of what her life has been about. It accounts for all the erratic nature of her powers, but also adds a new layer to the story of her life. To that end, seeing her parents help her get out of the well was also powerful! (Hey Sophia Myles!)

Christie: Diana’s courage and strength are the best part of the episode. Even in the face of terrible odds, not to mention terrible pain, Diana kept going. It’s like the ordeal not only unbound her magic, but her inner strength. Actress Teresa Palmer endures a lot, but it’s all worth it and I’ve been waiting for everyone to see her intensity all season.

Leah: I like that Diana basically saves herself. Obviously Matthew is there for her and cares/supports her but she is strong all on her own. It’s a nice message and one not often prevalent in books/shows with hot vampires guys. She is definitely no damsel.

THE BAD

Roz: Satu’s decision to try and find out about Diana without help is dumber than anything, that’s for sure. I just want to punch her much of the time and how she’s been manipulated by Peter. Basically it’s always Peter that makes the bad for me in any episode.

Christie: Gerbert gets much of my ire in this episode. Trevor Eve plays him as such a monster. I dislike him more than Knox. And we all hate Knox. And then of course there’s Baldwin, who’s such a prick. OK yeah, he helps Matthew but only because if he doesn’t Matthew will probably tear Sept-Tours down around his ears in frustration and rage, and to save his own neck on the Congregation.

Leah: Satu….what were you thinking? The torture scene was hard to watch and I’m not sure anything, even saving that witch in a box, can redeem Satu in my mind.

HISTORY & BOOK COMPARISONS

Christie:

History:

“We fought at the Battle of Acre, helped Albigensian crusaders fight off the northern advancement. We do not come to the aid of our master to protect a forbidden love affair.”

This line of Baldwin’s is the big historical Easter egg in the episode. And it’s a fun one.

Acre, a Mediterranean port city in what is now northern Israel, is one of the Crusader kingdoms, and was the last Crusader stronghold after Jerusalem was reconquered by the Muslims. It fell to them in 1291.

While looking for some information on the Fall of Acre, I came across an interesting bit of information, which was illustrated with a painting on Wikipedia:

And I’m not just relying on Wiki here, which no good researcher should do. Here’s what it says in “A History of the Crusades Part III” by Steve Runciman:

“The Marshal of the Hospital, Matthew de Clermont, distinguished himself by his bravery.”

And author and executive producer Deborah Harkness responded to me when I shared this while live tweeting during the episode on Sunday (you should join us if you’re on Twitter):

I don’t make up anything unless I absolutely have to…. #ADiscoveryOfWitches https://t.co/RtrOL0DwZB

— Deborah Harkness (@DebHarkness) May 13, 2019

Cool, huh?

So Matthew de Clermont has historical ties. He was a Hospitaller during at least part of the Crusader period. It’s not his only real tie to history though, as we’ll soon learn.

Book vs. TV:

Here are some quick book vs. TV comparisons:

Domenico is also at La Pierre in the first book.

We don’t see Satu lose her powers, and she already knows that witches killed Diana’s parents and why.

If Gillian Chamberlain is really dead in the show, Matthew has no idea. In the books, he did kill her, and dropped her at the door of Knox’s hotel room.

And in the books, Satu’s torture of Diana does not release her spellbinding. Diana also doesn’t learn about it from Matthew, Ysabeau and Marthe.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Roz: I hate that Diana was spellbound, but I”m so curious about what she’ll find out next week!

Christie: Diana’s spellbinding is going to be a big piece of her past for the rest of the season. But now we’re going to see Diana finally embrace her powers, and it’s going to make a big difference in the show going forward. Like watching someone blossom. Can’t wait!

Leah: It definitely feels like we are ramping up to the finale. And can we talk about your Baldwin. Matthew is causing him quite a bit of grief. Family is exhausting!

You can follow along with our coverage of the show here and be sure to join us as we live tweet the new episode here.

Discovery of Witches airs Sunday 9/8c on BBC America and AMC