Moment of Goodness: Dr. Frankenstein Finally Connects With His Monster, Penny Dreadful “Grand Guignol” 

I’ll admit it. I have not been a fan of The Creature. I was horrified when he killed Proteus and shocked when he killed Dr. Van Helsing because Frankenstein was taking too long to make him a mate. But I did have a small amount of compassion for his plight. He didn’t ask for this and Frankenstein did abandon him. So when it looks like Frankenstein will put an end to his abomination, I too, thought it would be a kindness. But I can’t deny that I was moved when The Creature and his maker finally connected.

In “Grand Guignol” we see The Creature having some trouble at work. Maude’s beau Simon is not kind and she tries to make up for it by offering him an orange and a kiss on the forehead. The Creature takes it as a sign of her interest and puts on his game face – some truly overdone stage makeup – and asks if she wants to eat the orange together before trying to kiss her. Maude is not interested and tries to fight him off. When he’s got his hands around her neck and she’s screaming bloody murder, he finally realizes he’s misread the situation. Even Vincent can’t save his job so The Creature is forced to return to the only other place he knows – Frankenstein’s Lab.

Frankenstein tells The Creature he can’t find it in his heart to forgive him so he’ll have to find another place to go. It’s then that The Creature realizes his dream of a mate was futile. His monstrosity isn’t his face, it’s his soul. His words give the doctor pause, even though The Creature urges him to pull the trigger. He’d rather be the corpse he was than the man he’s become. And for the first time Frankenstein realizes what he’s done and takes some responsibility. When he sees how close Brona is to the end, he knows he’s found a bride for his monster.

Other Developments

Ethan’s father has employed The Pinkertons to bring Ethan home. Ethan’s trying to drink himself to death in peace when Warren Roper and Mr. Kidd come looking for him. There’s a serious crime he has to account for at home. Ethan’s able to escape easily enough and just as easily, they track him down again. Only this time, Ethan’s solution to get rid of them is more permanent. Now we know why Ethan acted the way he did when he came into contact with those wolves.

Dorian feels the sting of rejection for the first time. He goes to Sir Malcom’s to see Vanessa once he’s heard news of her recovery. He makes it clear that he’d like to talk to her, but Vanessa is very firm in putting him off. Even so, Dorian tells her where he’ll be later that day. When Vanessa shows up Dorian makes assumptions. While Vanessa can’t deny their connection, she tells him she doesn’t like the person she is around him. I wonder if Dorian will heed her wishes or continue his pursuit of her. She is definitely an anomaly and we know Dorian likes to seek out unique experiences.

Sir Malcolm kills Mina to save Vanessa. This did surprise me a bit, especially considering Sir Malcolm’s words to Vanessa about this very subject. He claimed to see Vanessa as only a means to an end. She was important now because he was her only hope of locating his one remaining child. Once that was done, Vanessa would be nothing to him. But when they find the vampire and Mina appears after Sir Malcolm kills the creature, it’s to turn Vanessa into a vampire so she can be the master’s mate. Before Mina can bite Vanessa Sir Malcolm shoots her. When she tries to pull on his heartstrings by saying she’s his daughter, he tells her he already has one.

I can’t believe this season is already over. I’m excited that we’re getting more episodes in season 2 and I can’t wait to see what’s next for all these characters.

Penny Dreadful returns in 2015 on Showtime.