Salem Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Friday's Knights

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Evil has a strange way of celebrating victory. You would think the other side knows more about humanity and splendor...

The Sentinel is a kid in a candy shop on Salem Season 3 Episode 8. He's finally free of his controlling brother and gets to enjoy the little things in life. Regardless of the job he has to do.

Hell Breaks Loose - Salem

This may be the first time all season we got to see into the mind and attitude of the Sentinel.

For the most part, he's been a one-note character: He's the "enforcer" to the real evil. His job is to bring on Black Sunday, help the dark lord, and act as a foe to our heroes. And he's lived up to his character structure – he is the evil demon we expect.

However, I didn't expect him to take the dark lord's death so hard, especially since he helped cause it. He hit the bottle hard! In this case, he's getting drunk on the added freedom...and the gin.

Thomas: Could I offer you food or a drink?
The Sentinel: I have no taste for food but drink, I like. It briefly restores loss of wings.
Thomas: Try this.
[They drink]
The Sentinel: [Gasps]
Thomas: Gin.
The Sentinel: It burns...I like it.

Did anyone else like the bromance between the Sentinel and Cotton? Their interactions together have been minimal for most of the season; it's mostly been about intimidation. This is the most we've seen them together.

Drinking Buddies - Salem Season 3 Episode 8

Even in Cotton's less than lucid state, he is still a fountain of wisdom. He's showing the Sentinel the world and the joys of alcohol, sex, and party games. It was interesting to note what the demon has gone without, and didn't enjoy, during his time in Salem.

He REALLY loves oranges and gin. And that drinking alcohol restores the feeling of wings for a fallen angel. There must be something in the ingredients; this seems a random fact to share.

I wasn't prepared, however, to know that the Sentinel was a..."loud" man. He couldn't contain himself at the brothel. That is a scene that will go down as one of Salem's most shocking moments.

The Sentinel: Perhaps you're right; I should know more about humanity. But truth be told, my head aches.
Cotton: That's called a hangover. What you need is a hair of the hound that bit you.
The Sentinel: No hound bit me, and I don't eat hounds or their hair.
Cotton: Well, it's an expression. A metaphor. You see, another thing you don't understand about us is that we often times say one thing to mean another. We use nonsense to make sense.
The Sentinel: You're right, I don't understand and you're making my headache worse.

It's somewhat sad to say goodbye to the Sentinel. Sure, he's evil, but we did get to know more about him near the end. I'm on the fence about my feelings – he's a funnier character than expected.

The fight scene with John Alden was fun to watch. Instead of opting for a quick kill with the blade, the Salem writers made it difficult for the weapon to work and required a few more stabs. It increased the drama and tension for this climactic scene since we were saying goodbye to the Sentinel; it was perfect.

If only he got to indulge one more time with his new love.

I would've liked one more orange.

The Sentinel

Speaking of love, I was on a roller coaster with Sebastian's story this week. He's evil but wanted to change for Mary, yet now he's back on the dark side. His character development hasn't been easy to say the least.

My heart did break for him when he found out Mary's true thoughts. Love is a tricky thing and when someone crushes you (we've all been there!), it hurts immensely. She did not hold back – it was savage!

John: Tell me you don't enjoy his touch.
Mary: I cannot command my body, but my heart felt nothing. It curdled inside me every time he touched me. And I had to endure it and beg for more. Why? For us, John. Are you really as dense as he says you are?! The only reason I'm going to Tituba is to learn about the weapon; she's a Seer. If she knows a way to stop this...this bomb, we won't need Sebastian and I can cease this charade once and for all.
John: Even after he protected you in that house, you don't feel any fondness or affection for him?
Mary: Not a drop.

Still, it was the only way he could hear the truth. I'm happy we got a romantic moment between John Alden and Mary – their romance has been few and far this season. But I guess Sebastian pretending to be John is the closest we're going to get for now.

Warm Embrace - Salem Season 3 Episode 8

With him bringing Mary's blood to the Countess' skeleton, do you think she'll return next episode? I hope so! I'm crossing my fingers.

The Countess is witty and powerful. Lucy Lawless was amazing last season and it would be great to see her return in the final episodes. But if her return means Mary is dying, we need to side with Mary! Like I said on Salem Season 3 Episode 2, we can't lose our mother witch!

Hopefully Sebastian (and/or even the Countess) returns to side with the good guys. Black Sunday is a danger to them all, as well as Hell's door.

Bump In The Night - Salem Season 3 Episode 8

The editors and directors have done a great job all season highlighting the mysteriousness of the door and the creepiness of the house. As compared to previous seasons, the Sibley House feels scarier lately and more ominous. It's almost foreshadowing the future evil on its way.

The lighting is darker, the props used (like the doll house) are just as menacing, and the vibe feels like someone is always lurking around. And we can't forget that door – it's being showcased for a reason. I liked the camera angles showing the clear divide of the Salem world from hell itself.

Someone is bound to open that door soon. Anne is the latest suspect – she was tempted this time around. But something scary must be lurking behind it. Mysterious doors don't just lock out nothing.

Locked Doors - Salem Season 3 Episode 8

Mercy is playing with fire by riling up Isaac. For once she's in a happier position: She owns a popular business and she's found love with Magistrate Hathorne – they're officially married. She could walk away if she wanted to and be free of danger. Though, that's not our Mercy.

Window Watching - Salem Season 3 Episode 8

Do you think Isaac will save Dorcas in time? I'm unsure, but I have a feeling he will exact his revenge once and for all. This could be the final straw for him. Isaac has gone through a lot on Salem – kidnapping his foster child may push him over the edge if she dies.

If Mercy doesn't survive, we can always remember Cotton's wedding speech to her.

Marriage. Marriage is an honorable estate not entered into lightly. Soberly, in the fear of God. Lovers...lovers may be lunatics, and lovers may be beyond the reach of reason and law. True lovers...true lovers do not desire only love. They desire...they desire marriage. For if their love is the truest and noblest love conceivable, those lovers are only relieved by both being happy slaves to one another. You may now kiss the bride.

Cotton

With the door still locked and the Sentinel dead, two things are left up in the air: (1) Tituba has the dark lord's body, and (2) the black mercury is in a ticking bomb.

The episode ending with the ticking clock was a good visual to finish the episode. The countdown to Black Sunday is still continuing, as well as the countdown to the series finale. In two more episodes, the big conclusion is going to happen and we need to be prepared for when it does. I'm just not ready to say goodbye!

What did you think of "Friday's Knights"? Will Anne open the door to hell? What does Tituba have planned with the dark lord's body?

If you missed the latest episode of Salem, you can watch Salem online via TV Fanatic. Come back to let us know what you think.

Friday's Knights Review

Editor Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.7 / 5.0 (3 Votes)

Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.

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Salem Season 3 Episode 8 Quotes

John: Tell me you don't enjoy his touch.
Mary: I cannot command my body, but my heart felt nothing. It curdled inside me every time he touched me. And I had to endure it and beg for more. Why? For us, John. Are you really as dense as he says you are?! The only reason I'm going to Tituba is to learn about the weapon; she's a Seer. If she knows a way to stop this...this bomb, we won't need Sebastian and I can cease this charade once and for all.
John: Even after he protected you in that house, you don't feel any fondness or affection for him?
Mary: Not a drop.

Thomas: Could I offer you food or a drink?
The Sentinel: I have no taste for food but drink, I like. It briefly restores loss of wings.
Thomas: Try this.
[They drink]
The Sentinel: [Gasps]
Thomas: Gin.
The Sentinel: It burns...I like it.