rancesca
rancesca
LaCroix is (was) a pagan. He would not fear a crucifix.
-- Patty B
I thought this was a very good episode. It's one of those that takes full advantage of the characters' development and history laid down by previous episodes. The way it was acted out made parts of it seem almost chilling.
For once, the flashback scenes were an integral part of the story. Also, it was the first time I saw Nick and LaCroix talking about the people they used to know. LaCroix, for all his suppposed evil, has managed to put the past behind him. I don't think he would have flashbacks.
I didn't initially like the psychiatrist who treats the black guy who is the reincarnation of Francesca. Although she makes it clear how ethical she is; she just didn't seem like a very likeable person. The guy was pouring out his soul during their session and was clearly in a past life trance and, afterwards, she won't tell him the slightest thing about what happened. Was he supposed to wait for months to find out what was wrong with him?
I thought it was one of the best episodes they ever did. The flashback scenes with the 18th Century Francesca in her French mansion were wonderful. It was almost like they were a running subplot to the main story. I really thought it was well done to see Nick and LaCroix living back in that era. Sometimes the past lives Nick has led seem far more interesting than the present. Sometimes, such as during these 18th Century scenes, it makes you appreciate the present day all the more.
The scenes showing LaCroix introducing Nick to Francesca at her chateau were very well done. When the black man repeats those same words in his trance (or on the tape recording of his session); it makes the scene seem almost eerie. The poor man never really knew what was going on. At least he was put out of his misery, so to speak, when Nick was forced to dispatch him. Did anyone notice that it was in the exact same way as the way he defeated Francesca the first time?
What about the goblet of blood that Nick realizes came from the musician who played for him the night before? That was a chilling idea in itself. How many others were lured out of Paris to her estate, thinking they'd struck it rich, only to find out they would never leave?
This scene in the bedroom where Nick realizes Francesca is using these artists as playthings and then dispatching them was just wonderful. The hint of violin music as he takes a sip and realises the musician is dead was well done.
The idea that one could acquire great musical abilities "simply"(although gruesomely) by drinking the blood of the person who had that talent was intriguing. I especially liked that scene at the very end of the episode where Tracy goes to that same psychiatrist and they show a close up the unfortunate musician as he plays for Francesca, Nick and LaCroix.
Could Tracy be the reincarnation of the musician? Could it be that she and Nick have already, in a sense, met? What about Vachon? Did he meet Tracy when she was living in a past life? What about our regular vampires(Nick, LaCroix, Janette, Vachon, even Urs or Screed); were they ever living out previous mortal lives before they were brought across? I'm sure this train of thought could become very philosophical.
-- Pat Gallagher
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