Reviews of the "Seance" Episode of "Penny Dreadful"

[wyrmwwd]

I liked this episode a lot. It was, perhaps, the best TV I had seen in a long time, so here are a couple of reviews:

Penny Dreadful Episode 2 Review: “Séance”

Penny Dreadful: Which Demon Possessed Vanessa Ives in “Séance”?
Please keep in mind, this is 21st century gothic horror television, and it uses every trope every used in a horror film, so,

Comments

[fatpie42]

I don't think it is intended to be authentic paganism. Would you expect spiritualists to follow a specific format?

I mean, you say it's a horror trope. But it was also a trope for the Victorian era when this is set too, right? Spiritualism and seances were big during that era (and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is known to have been very keen).

What is it about the way this is set up which makes you say that it is not "authentic" spiritualism? And are we talking spiritual authenticity or historical authenticity, since I'm not sure what would be lacking in the latter?

[wyrmwwd]

Spiritualism is an actual religion, just as Paganism is. And, truthfully, I have never been to a Spiritualist service, but, someday I will. There was a Spiritualist church near where I lived in New York, and I was invited several times, but never seemed to have the time to go.

[fatpie42]

Heck, there are lots of genuine religions, but that doesn't mean they are always celebrated the same way. ;)

I was more wondering what it was about that depiction which made it seem inauthentic to you (particularly considering the time period in which the show is set).

I was also noting that, the way I see it, the show is including Spiritualism because of its more widespread fascination for people during the Victorian era (as opposed to simply because it's a horror trope).

Also not sure why you were connecting it with Paganism. I didn't think seances were particularly pagan. (Though on the subject of actual Paganism, clearly you would be the expert here.)

I hope I didn't simply come off as a naysayer. The comment was intended as an appeal for more knowledge rather than as a flat-out contradiction.

[wyrmwwd]

Those are interesting questions, and I am glad you asked them

[merlynn_valen]

It's technically penny dreadful horror. So, they used some the real practices of 19th century spiritualism as a backdrop for gothic horror. Lit was quite in keeping with the genre.

[wyrmwwd]

It is, and, in that sense, it is brilliant.

[davesmusictank]

Looks a fascinationg series. Will have to check it out. Thanks for the clip.