In the fifth episode of Jekyll, HOLD ME FOREVER. HOW. HOW IS THIS A REAL THING THAT EVEN HAPPENED. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Jekyll.
IF YOU HAD TRIED TO MAKE ME GUESS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT, I WOULD HAVE ONLY GOTTEN ONE THING RIGHT. I properly predicted that Hyde would exit from that box and that is the closest I came to be prepared for anything. That reveal is hardly anything when you compare it to everything else that happens in episode five, where Steven Moffat shows us that we are mere mortals. We are nothing when compared to his ability to craft a good mystery.
THE FIRST SHOT OF THIS EPISODE IS OF THE ACTUAL DR. HENRY JEKYLL. ITS THE MOST AMAZING FLASHBACK THAT I NEVER EXPECTED TO GET. No, seriously, it’s Dr. Jekyll AND THEN ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON SHOWS UP.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(PS: IT’S MARK GATISS WHICH IS ALSO AMAZING OH GOD I CAN HARDLY BREATHE.)
no so like HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DEAL WITH THE COLD OPEN OF EPISODE FIVE. EVEN IF YOU IGNORE THE MANY THINGS THAT FOLLOW IT, THIS ALONE IS SO UNEXPECTED AND MIND-MELTING AND WHAT IS THIS SHOW DOING TO ME.
Oh, so the manuscript of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is actually a true story that was used to document the man’s changes AND IT WAS A TRAP. A TRAP? WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN. HOW THE HELL IS IT A TRAP, THAT DOESN’T EVEN MAKE SENSE, IT’S A BOOK SILLY.Â
oh god STEVENSON KNOWS WHAT’S IN JEKYLL’S POTION AND HE’S WRITING IT DOWN MOFFAT WHY AREN’T YOU SHOWING US WHAT HE WROTE THIS IS SO EVIL AND RUDE YOU ARE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE BECAUSE YOU THRIVE OFF OF MAKING PEOPLE QUESTION THE VERY CHOICES THEY MAKE IN LIFE. You’re like an evil Sassy Gay Friend.
oh god we’re back at the Institute IS IT TOM OR IS IT HYDE IN THE BOX. Well, of course it’s Hyde, right? It’s the only real option that makes sense. So what does Moffat do? HE MAKES IT SO THAT SOMEHOW, HYDE IS ABLE TO ACCESS TOM’S MEMORIES. NO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING MOFFAT. YOU ARE BREAKING ALL THE RULES OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION OR SOMETHING. Oh my god, that was always separate and NOW HOW CAN HE SEE THOSE THINGS.
But seriously, how unbelievably fascinating is Hyde’s discovery sequence? What I’m enjoying about this process is how each episode goes is such a bizarre direction. It’s one of the benefits of not telling this story in a linear manner, and it’s also why this never feels like a giant gimmick. On top of that, it’s a jarring thing to witness for the audience. The first time Hyde can “see” into Tom’s life is unlike anything in the show before. What is it that allows him to do this? Even further, how can he pause and rewind Tom’s memories??? It’s through these memories that we see bits of the life between Tom and Claire. I started to think that perhaps Hyde had showed up during Claire’s honeymoon, but this was way more in-depth than that.
OH MY GOD HOW IS HYDE DOING THIS. OH SHIT HE IS IN THE PAST OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD HOW CAN ACCESS MEMORIES OF SOMEONE WHO IS NOT HIMÂ
OH GOD ARE THEY DOING IT. THEY ARE. THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THE ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON FLASHBACK. NO. SHOW ME THE PAPER. SHOW IT TO ME. YOU CAN’T. YOU CAN’T GO BACK TO THIS AND NOT SHOW IT TO ME.
Oh. Oh……..oh my god. “There was no potion. It was the girl.”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how is this life!!!!! WHAT IS THIS. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE. OH GOD THEY ARE SHOWING THE MAID
OH MY GOOD LORD HOW ON EARTH IS IT AT ALL POSSIBLE THAT CLAIRE WAS THERE. I DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING AND THIS HURTS AND MY BRAIN IS UNABLE TO PROCESS A SINGLE DETAIL OF ANY OF THIS.
NO REALLY! How are there now two people who existed in the past? WHAT ON EARTH CAN CLAIRE DO THAT CONTROLS HYDE? I mean…oh god, IT WAS THERE ALL THE TIME. WE KNEW THIS. WE SAW THIS IN THE LAST EPISODE. Claire brought out Tom’s “black” eyes. Claire being threatened brought out Hyde entirely. So what the hell is it about her that either controls, inspires, or influences Jekyll’s alter ego to come out? AHHH I LOVE THAT THIS IS TURNING INTO THE CLAIRE JACKMAN SHOW. oh my god I could just hug my computer right now because this is just the most fascinating (and bewildering) plot twist so far. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN EVERYONE. I DON’T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING.
Oh, more Miranda and Min? Yes. Yes please. More catty jokes about Miranda locking Min up? Yes, I’d like more of these as well. Oh, maybe five lines from Katherine? Um….that’s weird. Is anyone else feeling this? I thought she’d be a huge part of this, but we don’t know anything about her at all, especially since the second episode, which was the last “full” episode she was in. Sooooooo….yeah. What’s going on with that?
Though at least Miranda, Min, and Katherine have a plot now that’s not just sitting in a room. Now they’re going to run away from troops with guns! Yay! No, but seriously, you can’t kill off any of them OR I WILL BE INCREDIBLY ANGRY.
The most significant thing to me, though, that occurs in this episode is the fact that even though Hyde is completely here, he suddenly feels intimately connected to Claire. Obviously, Moffat tricks us into believing that Hyde’s going to harm Claire so that his side of Tom’s personality stays, and the tension comes for the horror of that choice. I mean, it’s clear that whatever Hyde is is some sort of asset to this company. He can cure cancer? I just simply don’t understand how that’s possible. But regardless of the logistics, it’s made clear that Klein & Utterson will do absolutely anything and everything necessary to have Hyde alive. This includes forcing Tom to face his claustrophobia and trigger a permanent appearance of Hyde. It includes sacrificing Claire Jackman and her children to a monster so that Hyde will cooperate. God, how horrifically creepy is that scene where Peter gives them up and then refuses to watch?
I was genuinely surprised that Hyde then wanted to escape, that the whole thing was a trap to get the cameras turned off. What’s fascinating to me is a continuation of themes seen in episode three: there’s a part of Hyde that cares, even if Hyde doesn’t necessarily want that to happen. Now, at this point, it’s as if the feelings and emotions of Tom are starting to creep into his body. I think that’s foreshadowing for what eventually happens by the episode’s end. The standoff with Mrs. Utterson is a direct parallel to that asshole on vacation who assaulted Claire: once again, Jackman is left feeling entirely inadequate in defending his wife’s life when she needs it. Only this time, it’s a reversal; it’s Hyde who feels inadequate, and it’s this event that triggers the reappearance of Tom Jackman.
Oh right HE SUCKED ALL THE POWER OUT OF THE GODDAMN CITY. WHAT THE HOLY FUCK WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON. How can he do that? What does it mean? Can Tom Jackman finally control the appearance of Hyde at will? Or are they now part of one person instead of separate? I love how chilling Jackman’s message is, and it’s a hell of a way to end this episode. With just one more left, I know that Moffat will have to deal with Jackman getting back his kidnapped family, but I’m interested to know who Mrs. Utterson really is, why Claire existed over a hundred years ago, and who the hell is the woman claiming to be Jackman’s mother? I haven’t forgotten that detail, but I’ll be honest: I have no idea how this is going to tie together.
I’m excited, y’all.
Oh, show. You started out interesting and creepy, but then you went GLORIOUSLY OFF THE RAILS.
AND IT WAS KIND OF AWESOME.
"Kind of awesome" doesn't even begin to describe it, to be honest. 😉
Okay that was pretty awesome. And I feel like I didn't need the first 3 episodes to get us here. Steven Moffat, this really is your story telling!
"WHY AM I NOT SUPERMAN DADDY?!?!"
That's one of those lines that always makes me giggle and then feel really bad for giggling and then I start to sob a little and then I giggle some more. I mean, who says that unironically?
(Hyde, that's who.)
"But I've started!"
"All day every day without killing killing someone? What kind of life is that!?"
Bahahahahaha. I did laugh quite a bit at that.
sorry for the extra killing there…d'oh!
Although Hyde wouldn't be sorry for the extra killing I suppose
You’re like an evil Sassy Gay Friend.
Sassy Gay Fiend, amirite?
I do love how this show has just gone into wacky sci-fi land. How delightfully unexpected.
Did anyone else sort of key in on "We Are Coming"? I was like wait a minute…..
I totally did now that I've watched T:CoE. I was all "omgomgomg!! wait. That was RTD, nevermind". His version was creepier than Jekyll's one, but this one is really good all the same.
I kind of feel terrible about this given your capslocky joy and how much everyone else seems to love the show but I'm not really enjoying Jekyll. I know Nesbitt is amazing, yay good female characters, hooray for lesbians and surprise Mark Gatiss is always fun but I'm just not really into it, like I'm watching it but I'm not really actively watching it. If that even makes any sense.
I was surprised that I really enjoyed Episodes four and five. I think the humor of Hyde is what got me. But I feel you.
It's strange because I'd still recommend it to others, and have already, but for whatever reason I'm just not that into it.
In the fifth episode of Jekyll, HOLD ME FOREVER.
*sends Mark virtual hugs* There, there. It will all be over in a minute. *evil grin*
j/k 😛
But anyway, the episode! I'll just post randomly my thoughts as I rewatch the episode.
O hai thar, Mark Gatiss! 😀 Love the historical flashback.
I love Hyde being able to gain so much information from the smell of people and their heartbeat. He's like (rot13'd for Discworld spoilers) Nathn naq Fnyyl pbzovarq! 😀 Plus there's a hint of Sherlock, with the deduction and stuff.
Claire quickly picking up on the fact that Hyde knew where their honeymoon was – even though they shouldn't share memories – and Hyde appreciating how clever she was. Loved it. You can really see how his respect for her grows.
Hyde gaining access to Tom's memories was very cleverly done – both story-wise and visually.
I think this episode has the best gems dialogue-wise – and it's (naturally) Hyde who steals the best ones.
"I've got digital rewinds! It's like Sky Plus in here!"
"I've finally found the adult channels."
"What does that mean?"
"You know the way you sometimes think the men are mentally undressing you? … Peanuts!"
*slap*
"She switched channels! … Typical woman, it's a costume drama. … It's like Victorian times. And Daddy's here. No, not Daddy. Granddad. No, Great-granddad! Great-great-whatever! Doctor Jekyll… the original. Doesn't look a bit like Spencer Tracy."
"So! I want ten minutes. Ten minutes playtime. … Make it twenty. … Oh well, what the hell, give me half an hour. I know you can hear me."
"You have half an hour."
"Gee, thanks, Mom, you're the best!"
(*snigger* 😀 )
"You're not going to hurt us, then?"
"Oh, take a joke, can't you?"
"A joke? You said you were going to kill us."
"And they turned off the cameras."
"I'm a psychopath with superpowers and you're my girl!"
"I'm so strong I walk through this funny little world of yours and I don't notice it. It bores me. But you… You, Mrs. Jackman, you make me weak. I notice you. You've never been safer in your life." – BE STILL, MY HEART. <3 Every time Hyde becomes serious, almost gentle, it's worth it. <3 Beautiful stuff.
(con'd)
Aaand back to the hilarity:
"Okey-dokey, you first."
"Why me?"
"FanTAStic arse!"
"So where're we going?"
"The roof."
"Then what?"
"One thing at a time!" (this so reminds me of "I don't know, it's a thing in progress. Respect the thing.")
"Hello. The wife's making a bit of a fuss, so could you put this in a fridge somewhere? It's for Dr. Gilligan."
"What is it?"
"He'll recognise it."
"Excuse me, who are you?"
"Ooh, that's a point, but I'll kill you." *grab*
"What are you doing? You're killing him!"
"Trust me, I'm a psychopath!"
"Don't!"
"Well, I've started!"
"You're not going to kill that man. You're not going to kill anyone. From now on, no more killing people, got it?"
"All day, every day, without killing someone? What kind of life is that?"
"It's called 'marriage', honey."
"Well, what are we going to do with him?"
"Tie him up."
"That takes ages." *whack* "There! He'll be out for twenty minutes. No, sod it, we'll take the full hour." *whack*
The whole "can I fly a helicopter?" bit sounds VERY Eleventh Doctorish. 😀 <3 "Actually, could've been a horse."
But there's also Miranda and Min!
"Do you know what I think?"
"God forbid you ever have an unexpressed thought…"
And then the scene with Ms. Utterson. OH MY GOD. Even on a rewatch, it's still tense.
"Daddy! WHY AM I NOT A SUPERMAN?!" – breaks my heart. That line looks almost silly on paper, but when you hear the frustration and despair and helplessness in Hyde's voice, it's simply crushing.
And then he drains the ENTIRE LONDON.
"For her."
That's real love, right there… <3
"Sorry, you're not dealing with Junior any more. Daddy's home." … "Three words: We are coming. Send it. Sign it: Jekyll and Hyde." – that's Tom Jackman taking an A-level in badassery.
Fuck yes. Bring on the finale! B-)
P.S.: Sorry for quoting pretty much the entire episode, but the writing is just so brilliant. BITE ME.
I loved that quip about Jekyll not looking like Spencer Tracy. It makes me wonder whether Moffat likes that version better that the Fredric March one, or if it was simply a name recognition thing. 😀
It was kind of hilarious when they were talking about how Jekyll's memories can't have been genetically passed down because memories don't work that way, because my roommate has been playing a lot of Assassin's Creed lately, in which memories DO work that way.
Also right before we watched this, my roommate and I were talking about how interesting it is that Hyde never showed any trace of existence before Jackman and Claire met. Lol unprepared.
I realized early on when they didn't show the maid's face that she was going to be someone we had already seen. I thought it was Katherine for some reason, though. Because maid = psychiatric nurse? Or something. One thing I wonder though, who was the one who blurred out the maid's face in the photos?
Thoughts while watching, with a ridiculous number of OMGs:
omg FLASHING ALL THE WAY BACK HELL YEAH
If there's anything I like more than flashback episodes, it's MORE FLASHBACK EPISODES!
RLS knew the sekrit of the potion? omg. What is it!
What's going on? He's having hallucinations? Is he losing it? What's going on? OMG he has the old Dr. Jekyll's memories too!
THERE WAS NO POTION IT WAS THE GIRL omg. It's Claire! Claire is making this happen! OMG
Why am I suddenly going "all of this has happened before, and all of it will happen again"? THIS ISN'T BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
Cool hat, Dr. J.
"You're the one thing that keeps me here. Without you, I'm just him." Hmm. Interesting. I thought it was the other way around. Claire brings out Hyde, but is also the one who keeps Jekyll fighting?
Haha, I love the detail of the torch light going out.
His claustrophobia is what killed him? That's weird. That's not a cure so much as… torture. Also, they knew which one of them was going to come out all along, then. Assholes.
"Turn it off." You suck, John Jarndyce.
"I notice you." Is this series really about THE POWER OF LOVE?
Oh nose, where are they taking the women??
"HE CUT OFF MY THUMB" oh god that's kind of hilarious and also awful
"Trust me, I'm a psychopath!"
"Just kill yourself. Blow your brains out." Who the hell is this woman
"The cure for cancer" wait, what? Is this Jekyll/Hyde project somehow going to cure cancer? Or are the higher-ups just dangling that over his head to make him do stuff?
OMG TOM IS BACK
"We are coming." OMG THEY HAVE JOINED FORCES THIS IS AWESOME.
Is this Jekyll/Hyde project somehow going to cure cancer?
Well, they DO call him "the next step in human evolution", maybe they're hoping Hyde has something in him that can cure cancer? After all, he was able to "taste" it from that Colonel's sweat.
I'd buy that he could detect it. They can teach dogs to do that. But curing it is another matter. Sure, Hyde was able to fix Tom's vision, but he also deteriorated Tom's DNA or whatever every time he changed.