‘The English’ Recap: ‘Path of the Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘The English’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating Prime Video series, The English, we talked at length about how the show set the stage for quite the powerful parable. One that would explore the nature of revenge, and how it consumes us and pushes us to take part in acts that won’t provide us with peace or real closure, just darkness. The kind that hangs heavy in the soul. Which also meant were likely in line for one heartbreaking character study as well, one that would help us to see how Cornelia Locke lived with that fury in her heart and well, it is important to revisit such matters, simply because the next episode in this harrowing journey… outright surprised us. 
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For ‘Path of the Dead’ is a story that informed us… that the series premiere outright fooled us. For Cornelia wasn’t fully consumed by revenge just yet, simply the idea, despite the fury she put on display in that premiere. Which in turn made this episode tragic in nature since it put her at quite the crossroads. For while she and Eli were heading toward their destination, they encountered some serious surprises… the kind that more or less left Cornelia pondering upon whether or not she would in fact let revenge consume her soul. All thanks to an encounter with a trio of bandits that well, had done some horrible things.

In that, they killed an innocent couple on their way to their new home, orphaning a little girl, and a little unborn baby. A disgusting reality that Cornelia and Eli uncovered… after being forced to put that trio down. A move that rattled Cornelia since this was a touch tougher than killing a pig and making threats. In fact, it was so ugly an act that she basically scrambled to see how by chance, they could do something right for a change. Which isn’t the kind of attitude and thought process one would find from someone consumed with revenge. Giving rise to some touching moments that informed us of the kind of person Cornelia actually is… and why Eli was quick to help her. 

For he too has lost a family under painful circumstances and well… in an attempt to engender good will and hope, she worked with a local Indigenous American couple that could help them arrange safe passage for these now orphans. An act that Cornelia wanted to take part in, despite Eli’s desire to keep moving forward. But she genuinely wanted to do some good and pushed to make that happen… leaving all of us to wonder, if she will indeed return for revenge or if this is nothing more than a chance to escape it and take to heart the kindness and wisdom that Eli spent a great deal of this episode imparting upon her and of course… only time will tell. For once the mission is over, she will need to decide what comes next and it will be fascinating to see what that is. 

But while we wait to learn what Cornelia will do next, we can bask in the wonder of a brilliant and surprising tale. One that took the time to shock us with a complete flip and have our broken hero struggle between the light and the dark and that was wonderful to see here. Since it means there is hope for someone who is genuinely good… or this really is going to be a tragedy for the ages, if the darkness returns and consumes her and leads her to commit horrible acts. Which in turn, compels us to continue the journey post haste, to see what this beautiful and haunting Western is going to provide us with when it comes to Cornelia’s true fate. Until next time.

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