Spoilers ahead for tonight’s episode of Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order: Ye be warned.
Episode 4 of Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order—titled “Wet Work”—was absolutely bonkers! From the jump, we fans are plunged straight into the heart of Guy Anatole’s (Nicholas Denton) latest film-noir-style escapade. He’s dispatched on a strictly intel-gathering mission by Jasper (William Fichtner)—but alas, in the world of the Talamasca, nothing ever goes according to plan.
One of my favorite centerpieces in the entire episode is, hands down, the playful yet unmistakable banter between Guy and Jasper. The chemistry is electric—and deliciously open to interpretation. It peaks when Jasper leads Guy down to the basement, affectionately dubbing it “the kill room,” only to dissolve into laughter at Guy’s perfectly normal (read: adorably flustered) reaction.
Ahem, I digress.
In this episode, we sink our collective fangs deeper into the succulent world of all things that go bump in the night. The race is on to locate the missing, proverbial Book of the Damned—catalogued as the 752. I couldn’t help but flash back to another legendary tome of creatures: Ashmole 782 from the A Discovery of Witches universe. Come to think of it… are these books distant cousins?
(The Talamasca would know…only if we were allowed into their super-secret archives.)
Playful banter aside, we’re granted a further chilling peek into Helen’s (Elizabeth McGovern) psyche as she presses on with her search for her missing twin sister. Naturally, this quest drags her to the sunniest of spots: a graveyard. While prowling among the tombstones, she unearths something that renders her utterly speechless. Okay, perhaps prowling is too strong of a word. Also, we have loads of questions like who exactly left that previous bouquet of flowers there?
One can’t necessarily blame Helen, for, I too would have a similar reaction. Could it be someone at the Talamasca playing mind games on her? After all, that does sound like their M.O.
Discoveries abound in “Wet Work“, but the crown jewel? A single red USB thumb drive, unearthed at—of all places—a playground, by the relentlessly dedicated Detective Ridge (Bryony Hannah).
This tiny artifact loops us right back to the season’s explosive opener: that rogue Talamasca agent who gave her life for it.
The past isn’t buried—it’s just waiting in a nondescript playground.
Back to our regularly scheduled delicious mind-reading caper: at Jasper’s colorful (read: insistent) urging, Guy infiltrates a bougie establishment in pursuit of that elusive bloody book. En route, he collides with fellow Talamasca agent Raglan James (Justin Kirk)—a rendezvous that was definitely not on the itinerary, sending Guy spiraling into an impromptu side quest.
Enter the enigmatic Dorris (Celine Buckens), equal parts mystery and guardian angel, who becomes the second person (after Raglan) to beg Guy to simply walk out the front door and leave the spy games to the professionals.
Spoiler: he doesn’t.
Well, more along the lines of that Guy is clearly out of his depth and way in over his head. He has several different currents he is being drawn too. Alas, the strongest and most pressing of them all is to both find and reunite with his mom. Clearly without due regard to whichever charter gets him there first.
(Personally, my money is on Jasper, for he too has no love/loss with the Talamasca)
Now, this is perhaps my next favorite part of tonight’s episode: The classical blood bath.
After insisting upon tagging along with Raglan on his side quest; Guy inadvertently finds himself on the menu. Self-preservation and all, Raglan sells Guy out to the proprietor of said hotel establishment, Harris (Gerard Monaco) – serving said rookie Talamasca agent up on a silver, err, golden platter.
The sell?
Guy is the only mortal that can read a vampire’s mind.
Luckily, Dorris had the foresight to alert Jasper’s men outside, shortly before this encounter, and thank goodness it works. After Guy goes with the flow and in turn proves Raglan’s pitch as gospel – a classical blood bath ensues.
Thanks to Checkers.
All to the classic Pat Benatar song, “We Belong”.
After the heroic Checkers saves the day, Raglan is quick to take his bounty – which turns out to be vials ancient vampire blood – and leaves. Alas, not before giving a vial to Guy.
It’s the small things in life.
Dorris goes off and hides in the trunk of Jasper’s henchmen’s SUV – for, well, reasons currently known only to her.
Meanwhile, the salt-and-peppered haired vampire himself – Jasper- arrives to see what all the fuss was about – only to learn that the now departed hotel owner had been keeping an ancient vampire “alive” in the penthouse suite; bleeding him dry. All under the “watchful” nose of the infamous Talamasca.
No 752.
Instead, a tragic consolation “prize” vial of ancient vampire blood, of which Guy happily passes off to Jasper.
Followed up by putting great-great-great-great-ancient vampire out of his misery via removing one’s head from their body. Much to Guy’s both shock and horror.
(Anyone know a good therapist? If so, our Guy could definitely benefit from one.)
Alas, this chapter draws to close, but, not without our beloved hero being thrown yet another curve ball – this time thanks to his maybe guardian angel – Dorris. As Jasper and company depart the hotel from which bloody festivities had just wrapped – a question is posed by said vampire.
Just who exactly was the woman that had tipped them off to rescue Guy. Even though an answer could not be provided, Jasper assures young Guy that, between the two of them, they will figure the mystery out.
My question would be – does Jasper know about the cute stowaway in the trunk?
Four episodes down, and two to go. Folks, we are at the tip of the proverbial iceberg and I can’t wait for you to see what remains in store. On a side note, is it early to ask that this show be renewed for a second season?
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Catch brand new episodes Sundays at 9:00 PM EST on AMC. Available to stream immediately that day prior the east coast airing – only on AMC+.