Salem concludes in a celebration of subversive triumph.
Abandon Hope All Ye who venture further.
Salemcant get enough of throwing around John Alden.
Thomas Dinley really doesnt care who wins the battle between Mary Sibleys (Janet Montgomery) suitors.
Each time one of them gets the boot in he gives a little smile.
But its Dinleys underplayed ouch that makes the fight scene between Sebastian and Alden sting.
When Dinley suggests prayer as an answer, it is a double punch line.
I see stiches ofJason and the Argonautsin the fabric of his being.
The Devil, played by Jon Fletcher, doesnt think much of himself, does he?
On a day god wasnt giving up a thing, the late great Gil Scott Heron once sang.
If applied toSalem, this goes straight to the heart of the celestial rebellion and fall.
Her son is a pussy grabber and she wont have any part of that.
Destiny foretold that she will inevitably sleep with the devil, but can he shower first?
She savors a Van Gogh-inspired offering on her way to the bedroom.
Janet Montgomery nails Lucy Lawless Countess impeccably quite a few times.
Spirit transference is a modern horror adventure TV staple.Dark Shadowsplayed with it in the 60s.
It was done the time Callisto and Xena switched bodies onXena the Warrior Princess.
People are often amazed at how one actor can capture another actors mannerisms, body language and vocal quirks.
Here we get his first true comic unveiling.
Goldberg plays it so absolutely straight and with such utter conviction you cant help but laugh.
Godfather Anne Hale takes care of all family business.
Shes not only Michael Corleone, shes Clemenza, Al Neri and Luca Brasi all wrapped up in one.
She silences the all-seeing Tituba (Ashley Madekwe) and locks her up in a frighteningly dank cell.
You cant say Anne doesnt have a sense of humor.
This is apropos in the cathouse.
I think Bugs Bunny put it best when he said dont go down there, its dark.
Really, Cotton, stay at the top of the stairs.
The devil and your eternally-soon-to-be ex-wife only told you to go through the door.
Going down the stairs is optional.
The design team creates a vast canvass for their vision of Hell.
Spiritual masterpieces of art and architecture inform every stone.
And hes not going to cheer up any time soon.
Not that it matters because time means nothing in Hell.
Aldens got her back, in all senses of the phrase.
Even if he sometimes runs a little late, he never actually misses a deadline.
Her innocent routine fools everyone and is a testament to the generations of subversive films she rose from.
Anne Hale may say nay nay, but there isSuspiriain Tamzin Merchants eyes.
She is merciful enough to John Alden to make up for Mercy Lewiss transgression.
Merchant has been wonderful throughout the series but the last two episodes have really been a tour de force.
Throughout the series, weve been manipulated to root for Janet Montgomerys love-conquers-all delivery.
Merchants coup de tat is a subversive acting triumph.
Others are a full blast of fury.
But the most furious is when she pounds the witch drums on the floor in the astral ritual.
The series finale is actually open-ended and could continue in two ways.
Or Mary and John can lead an uprising from wherever theyre headed and the battle can continue.
I would prefer we just lean into the Hale future and ride that broom.
Black Sunday was written by Brannon Braga and directed by Adam Simon.
Rating:
5 out of 5
