Castlevania season 2, episode 5 recap: Last Spell

In this episode of the Netflix series Castlevania, the vampires get ready to invade Brăila, we see more of Dracula’s past and something’s knocking on Belmont’s door.

Near the episode’s start, the scheming vampiress Carmilla (Jaime Murray) is out looking for Godbrand (Peter Stormare). Sh, of course, is not aware that Godbrand was slain by Isaac (Adetokumboh M’Cormack) just one episode ago. It’s an obvious sign of trouble within the vampire community, which bodes well for humans and makes for an interesting story on Castlevania.

Meanwhile, Adrian Alucard Tepes (James Callis) is concerned about Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage) being a “demented infant” and a self-destructive drunk. It certainly doesn’t help that they’re in the Belmont family estate, which has a library full of vampire-killing methods (Alucard is himself half-vampire). As a result of their bickering, Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso) thinks Alucard may be an angry teenager in an adult’s body. Though, to be fair, he is the son to the evil Dracula (Graham McTavish). That could certainly have some residual effects, such as brooding and harboring some lingering animosity at mankind.

The Isaac and Hector (Theo James) bond while discussing the annihilation of the human race. It’s a bit weird because they’re both actually human. Nevertheless, Hector compares vampires to cats playing with prey, saying, “But it’s not malicious. There’s joy in it.” Isaac corrects him: “Not for the food.”  Isaac also says, “It seems counterproductive to cultivate human friends when we’re engaged in the project of ending the human race.” However, both agree that, when it comes to the Brăila invasion and beyond, it should be a quick, orderly and merciful war.

More from Netflix

• Snap your fingers, Mattel to release Wednesday dolls and collector sets in 2024!
• Show Snob’s Premiere Review: Watch, Pass, Wait and See (December 4, 2023)
• Show Snob’s Premiere Review: Watch, Pass, Wait and See (November 27, 2023)
• 5 TV Show Advent Calendars you’ll want this holiday season (2023)!
• Miss Face Off? 2 seasons are available to watch on Netflix!

Is Dracula quick, orderly and merciful?

Interestingly, there are signs that Dracula could indeed be quick and orderly. Some time ago, Dracula slaughtered merchants fleeing from their burning houses. As opposed to being a mindless maniac, he killed only the 40 people who offended them, as opposed to every human in sight. However, he was not as merciful as imaginable: He impaled them like Vlad the Impaler!

In case you didn’t know, the legend of Dracula is based on a real ruler of Wallachia, Vlad Țepeș. And yes, he apparently did impale his enemies, gaining a cruel reputation. Many think it inspired author Bram Stoker to name a vampire after him. There’s some evidence for this, as Vlad Țepeș’ own father was already known as “Vlad Dracul,” or Vlad the Dragon.  While it’s possible some aspects of his reputation were exaggerations or fabrications, he was still someone you wouldn’t have wanted to mess with. So, if you wish to appreciate any Castlevania or any Dracula character better, it will not hurt to look into the real Vlad Țepeș.

On the road to Brăila

What’s with Castlevania‘s obsession with Brăila? According to Carmilla, it will seal the humans from exiting or shipping in or out supplies. Also, she tells Dracula that agreeing to invade will unite their court. She insists that a great victory awaits. However, it’s well-established that she has an eye on Dracula’s throne, so there’s treachery afoot. A depressed-sounding Dracula reluctantly agrees to the invasion, saying, “So long as they [the humans there] all die. After leaving Dracula’s presence, Carmilla dismisses Hector as a loyal puppy. However, not every “puppy” can raise an army of the dead capable of razing villages.

Knock, knock

Back at the Belmont estate, Trevor, Alucard, and Sypha find a locking spell to prevent the Drackster’s castle from moving. Sypha also discusses Adamic, the original human language, which has an interesting origin story. She says that, at the Tower of Babel, language was split into many variations to prevent human communication.

This is why — at the risk of sounding blasphemous — her people, The Speakers, are considered an enemy of god. They are said to “hide stories inside themselves,” to prevent them from being destroyed by language differences (or something like that). Before she can really elaborate on her people’s background, we hear that something’s knocking on the door of the Belmont estate, and it doesn’t sound like a gentle knock.

That’s it for this Castlevania recap! What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!

© 2018 Frederator Networks, Inc.