A Discovery of Witches Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Constant Craving
Carissa Pavlica
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All the creatures are dying out, kind of like the polar ice caps.
That's an analogy Matthew used during A Discovery of Witches Season 1 Episode 2 while explaining to Diana why it's so important for her to use her magic and to share his concern over the status of earth's creatures.
If it's not just vampires dying, does that mean people like Peter Knox have no idea about the expiration date on witchcraft?
It's hard to understand the hatred of witches toward their fellow creatures, but the same doesn't seem to follow from vampires.
That's something Diana recognized straight away, and she got her proof when Matthew shared with her their laboratory.
But we got to see it first-hand when Matthew retreated to the country for a little bit of hunting.
Not only was he there out of the desire to protect Diana, but his pal Hamish showed concern over Diana's well-being as well.
Before we get into that, we have to chat about Matthews skills as a hunter.
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Do vampires have a connection with animals that I have never known about? The way he hunted the buck and then had it under his spell was unique.
I wonder if the blood tastes better when an animal isn't full of fear. Matthew has a lot to say about desire and fear, so treating his prey kindly doesn't surprise me.
There is a lot at this point of the story that doesn't seem to connect.
What's happened in the past to women you craved? Helena? Cecilia?
Hamish
Who is Juliette and what is her connection to Matthew? She obviously craves him, but why? And is she a vampire or is she a human who has been taught to crave Matthew for a purpose?
Logically, I know Juliette is a vampire, but her teeth were human just after she bit Mattieu in the neck, so I had to ask.
Who is her father and how does he relate to the vampires? Since someone was kissing his ring, I assume he's rather important.
It sounds like Matthew has had quite a past when it comes to warm-blooded women, and that kicks off his craving. If Juliette is a vampire, why would she be craving Matthew and his cold blood?
I know it's a lot to unpack, but those questions were poking at my brain.
Most of the hour got spent with Matthew and Diana coming to realizations about themselves and each other.
Despite his past, Matthew can't allow something to happen to Diana. He'll put himself into oncoming traffic if it means he can find out more about ASHML 782 and why it picked Diana.
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Diana was pounded in every direction by people telling her in one way or another how she sticks out like a sore thumb in comparison to other witches.
For someone who has spent her life denying her magical abilities, that's a revelation she didn't expect.
People she believes are far more powerful than her are requesting her help to get something that came to her without hesitation.
But learning that their purpose is to extinguish Vampires even if witches initially created them (information which may or may not reside in the book) prompted Diana to hold them at arms' length.
Peter: Vampires abused their brute power and their longevity to gain far too much control, but if we created them, then we could uncreate them.
Diana: I won't have any part of that.
There must be some evidence that Vampires rule without care for witches, so I look forward to discovering why the two don't get along according to witches.
Once Diana and Matthew turned to each other, though, things got a lot more interesting. The chemistry between Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer makes all the difference in the world.
When they share scenes, the feeling is almost electric. Now, that could get attributed to good acting, but with the wrong partner, someone can act their heart out to no avail.
What we witness with Matthew and Diana is different. The sparks could also be flying because the characters have each other in their best interests.
They go into their encounters with a genuine desire to help one another despite everything telling them they would be better apart.
The combination of their natural chemistry and the words written for the characters to speak makes the pairing almost overwhelming.
But who wants to whelm when we can be overwhelmed?
Matthew wants to encourage Diana to use her powers because his research indicates that they could be dying because of eons of denying them.
Could Diana using her incredible powers help the plight of other witches?
If witches created vampires, it seems logical that denying their magic could also be harming vampires. What if they need the magic of witches to exist?
It would be a pretty tremendous byproduct of Matthew and Diana dating if the two together made each other stronger.
And isn't that the best result of any relationship?
Matthew could flat out turn on Diana because of how she makes him feel and the suggestion her fate might be sealed by getting to close to him.
Diana: You can hear my heart.
Matthew: Yes, all the time.
Instead, Matthew takes chances with Diana that he might not take otherwise.
He can talk with Diana and get her to work with him to lower her adrenaline rush and steady her heart-rate. You'd have to assume that when they get physical, doing that won't come as easily to Diana.
But could it be that the more powerful she becomes and the more engaged with her magic, the less likely Matthew would be to lose himself in her?
As Diana gets to know more about Matthew and he shares with her more of his research and history, their bond grows ever deeper.
They're such a joy to watch in the discovery process that I don't want it to rush by, but I also cannot wait for them to get even closer.
We'll know this show has legs when their romance gets cemented but their torment to be together and their need for each other never falters.
With the way Goode and Palmer nail their scenes now, I don't think we'll have to worry about a waning attraction between Matthew and Diana any time soon.
And here we are with another episode in the can. Thank goodness there are already two more seasons ordered.
Hopefully, Sundance and BBC America will continue to share the seasons up front by streaming and on television episodically.
I can never get enough of the show, and this is my third run through it.
What are you thinking about it so far?
Share everything from your favorite parts to answering the questions I posed in the review below in the comments.
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
