‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’ Recap: ‘The Thrall’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Whether we like it or not… there are people that will come into our lives, that make our days quite difficult. It could be through simple or complex actions, but one way or another… they will annoy, they will antagonize, and they will do whatever it takes to either bring us down or push us under their thumb. Because that’s the kind of person they are and it doesn’t matter how much we resist, they are seemingly endless in their energy and almost seem further emboldened by their actions. Which begs an important question of course. Specifically, how then… do we beat our nemesis or at the very least… get them to back the hell off when we’ve finally had enough of their machinations?
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Well as it turns out… there are several solutions to that particular problem. The kind that was explored in this week’s episode of Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches. A feat that ‘The Thrall’ accomplished by putting Rowan and Ciprien in quite the unique and dangerous situation. For when we saw them last, they were trying to escape flames in the Mayfair House. But here… they were safe from harm and had committed to one another as lovers. In fact, they were so enthralled with one another and the physical joy they found in each other… that all their worries had fluttered away, and they spent their days eating and making love and enjoying the bliss and well… that’s when the exploration on how to defeat a personal antagonist got underway.

Because let’s be honest… this situation was weird. Because it made no sense that a house that slammed a door in their faces and was burning, would magically transform into an environment bound unto pleasure. But Ciprien’s wound from the last episode, made it clear that something sinister was at work here. In that, Lasher had figured out how to move the two of them into a space between spaces inside the house. Where he would use Ciprien’s wound to make him ill enough to eventually pass into the beyond. Allowing for Lasher to quickly swoop in and console a weeping Rowan and seduce her at last as he so badly wanted. But he wasn’t prepared for Rowan’s understanding of the situation, nor was he prepared for the lessons she sent our way. Because once she realized what was happening… she figured out how to best him.

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First… by getting to know Lasher and what he wanted. Because that is an easy way to disarm one’s enemy. For they are all about power through and through and knowing what they want and being able to call them upon it… robs of them of that power and leaves them out of sorts. Which Rowan was able to do slowly here. Because she recognized all of his plans and did her best to expose them. That of course, frustrated him to no end, and pushed him to use all of his tricks to re-establish that power and influence Rowan to do as he pleased. For that too is how a nemesis operates. But Rowan was ready and saw through this second wave of power plays and then committed to the second way in which we can defeat our nemesis.
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In that, you do the opposite of what they want. Because then, there’s nothing they can do to have power over you, nor can they exert any influence. You become a lost cause to them, and Rowan accomplished that… through a dust up with Carlotta. For Lasher was hellbent on having Rowan put Carlotta down out of vengeance and spite. Which she refused to do. In fact, she initially spared Carlotta’s life. Which proved to be a slight mistake since Carlotta did try to harm Rowan and ‘free’ her by murdering her. Which in turn, prompted retaliation through Rowan’s vast power. But that… was done out of defense and not out of spite or Lasher’s wishes… and that… proved too much for him to bear, and he let Rowan go at last so she could rejoin the everyday world.

Granted, he will of course be back. For he is malevolent and relentless and is used to getting his way. Making it seem as though the lessons here meant nothing. But to the everyday jackass in everyday life, that playbook would put them down stone cold and give freedom to a person. All of which made this a satisfying episode. Since it let Rowan begin to come into her own, and her actions also made sure… we get more Ciprien. Because his ejection from the house at Rowan’s request, allowed for his wounds be healed and allowed for him to fight another day. And now hopefully, he can help Rowan put an end to the family curse that is Lasher, now that she is free from his grip for the time being, and ready to face the world of magic and the darkness that dwells within it. Until next time.  

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