‘A Discovery of Witches’ Recap: ‘Season 3, Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season three premiere of ‘A Discovery of Witches’. To revisit the season two finale, click here.
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There are certain aspects and events in everyday life, that we don’t associate with negativity. For instance, weddings and homecomings are always viewed in a positive manner because they are indeed hopeful and uplifting moments. After all, watching a new couple say ‘I do’ inspires hope for the future and their union reminds us of the power of love and what it means to the human condition. As for homecomings, well… those instantly invoke our primal understanding of what it means to be connected to our fellow man and the importance of keeping close emotional relationships around. But while it is wonderful to joy in those moments, the fact of the matter is… they can be sour in nature if the circumstances are right, as evidenced by the season three premiere of A Discovery of Witches.
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For when Matthew and Diana return home in this particular tale, there is no celebration surrounding their return. Nor is anyone gushing with excitement to see them. There is only the harsh reality that those they left behind felt abandoned by their trip to the past, a feeling that is exacerbated by the fact that Em is gone from this world and that puts this important homecoming on the back burner while everyone works to resolve their emotions over a tragic death. Plus, this reunion was also grossly overshadowed by the fact that everyone was burning with a desire for revenge upon Knox and pondered at length about how best to conduct that. Which is something we will get to in a moment because we also need to discuss how this is a story that figured out how to make a wedding a somber event as well, courtesy of Baldwin’s return to Sept-Tours. 

Because despite his father’s blessing of Diana and Matthew’s union, Baldwin wasn’t good with it in the slightest because of his longstanding belief that vampires and witches don’t mix. Which completely overshadowed the good news that Diana was carrying twins and that Matthew had once again found love after centuries of pain. And this dampening of the mood was so bitter… that it motivated Matthew and Diana to leave when Baldwin ordered everyone that wasn’t a vampire out of the castle. Making it clear that change needed to come to Baldwin’s heart if he ever expected to see his family again. But what matters most here, is that these key moments really did hammer home the reality that even the brightest of events can be overshadowed and ruined by the woes of the world.

However, while those elements made for some fascinating and powerful moments, the kind that were indeed grounded in consequence, there were some bright spots to be found in this tale. After all, the plan to have Peter Knox removed from the council was a rousing success and he is now lost to the wind and unsure of what comes next and that’s just fine. Because being robbed of power is exactly what that worm deserves. Plus, with the blood rage problem still hanging over the family’s future, at long last… Matthew is taking great steps to solve that problem with Diana’s help. Since they saw an old friend of hers that specializes in such matters, giving Mathew hope that perhaps this scourge can finally be removed from his family’s bloodline.

Which was a wonderful way to end an episode that immediately started in dark territory, but that ugly beginning was a necessity. Since Diana and Matthew did indeed need to deal with their voyage to the past, to give it some sense of closure. All so the story could move into bold new territory. The kind that clearly is going to focus on the future and what will become of the three magical species that are seemingly floundering and of course, how Diana fits into that future and that really does set the stage for an epic final season. Where lingering plot threads will be resolved, and final showdowns will take place. Courtesy of Knox and Benjamin for certain since they both have scores to settle with Matthew and Diana and it will be genuinely fascinating to see how all of these plot threads play out and come to resolution in the weeks ahead. Until next time.

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