The Killer?
A lone figure walks up the dark street towards Stevie. He wears a dark cap and trench coat. Although he is in shadow, you can tell it is not Willem. Just as the man approaches him a young boy runs up and asks Stevie why he’s wearing a dress. Stevie tells him he is working for the police and to go away. By the time the boy leaves the man has already retreated into the night. I don’t know if the man heard Stevie say he was with the police, but I think they just missed their chance to catch the real killer.
As morning dawns Kreizler feels like he made a mistake about the pattern. Moore tells him there could be many reasons why nothing happened. I think Kreizler’s theory is right, but that little boy questioning Stevie scared off the man. Despite Moore’s attempts to change his mind Kreizler continues to believe that he is wrong on this theory and walks away.
Cyrus tells Moore that 17 men spoke to Stevie during the night, that the killer could have been one of them. When Moore asks Stevie if any of them had a silver smile he shakes his head no. Sara suggests that perhaps Willem did not appear because he’s not the killer. I believe Sara is correct about Willem not being the killer. A frustrated Moore asks what they do now and Sara tells him they wait for the next Holy Day – Pentecost in 9 days.
A Silent Auction
Moore and his grandmother (Grace Zabriskie) are attending the New York Society Gala and Silent Auction for The Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I’m not sure the society’s thoughts on cruelty to animals, the venue is filled with taxidermy creatures. Although Moore longingly gazes at a cold beer, when his grandmother orders a lemonade he asks for the same. It seems he is doing very well on giving up alcohol and his grandmother tells him she is proud of him.
As Mary (Q’orianka Kilcher) chops meat she accidentally slices her finger. When she serves Kreizler his soup he notices the cut. He asks to see the injury and gently removes the bandaging. Her finger is still bleeding so he licks his finger and rubs it on the cut. It’s actually a very sweet moment and he explains that saliva contains a natural coagulant. I did not know this, but if I cut a finger I do automatically bring the cut to my mouth, perhaps it’s instinctive. Kreizler stares at her bloody finger a bit strangely and Mary looks nervous. Finally she leaves the dining room.
J.P. Morgan
Back at the gala The Roosevelts are having their picture taken. Roosevelt’s daughter Alice (Lily-Rose Aslandogdu) asks Moore to join them in the picture. J.P. Morgan (Michael Ironside) then asks the Commissioner to take a picture with him. Morgan tells Roosevelt that Kreizler had asked Bishop Potter about Willem. Roosevelt tells Morgan that who Kreizler questions during his investigation is up to him. Morgan tells him Willem is leaving the country and is no longer a threat to the city’s children. Roosevelt asks him “what about the children of other cities?” I love Roosevelt, no one intimidates him! Morgan warns him not to betray his own kind He’s such an ass. Money and status mean more to Morgan than children’s lives. I know Roosevelt with do the right thing though.
Sara arrives at Kreizler’s house to share with him her plan to catch the killer. She has arranged for Stevie to be inside the brothel because that is where the killer likes to get his boys. Kreizler is still feeling like his theory is wrong, but Sara is having none of it. She tells the doctor it’s already set for tomorrow, Pentecost.
The Typist
Moore’s grandmother won an armadillo statue in the auction and Moore has won a typewriter. As they return home Sara is waiting in the garden for them. Sara is surprised that Moore would want a typewriter. He tells her he is hoping she will teach him to type. He is working hard to win her over. Moore tells her he wants to be a writer and she says that won’t be possible. Sara claims men lack the dexterity in their fingers to be good typists. This made me laugh.
Roosevelt shows up to talk to Kreizler as Mary is trimming his beard. He lets the doctor know that important people have noticed his actions. Roosevelt tells him Willem is leaving the country. Kreizler does not care about this news as he doesn’t believe he is the killer. Kreizler now seems to be on board now with Sara’s plan for another stake out. He tells the Commissioner they need to take every opportunity they can to catch the killer.
The Big Lie
Back in the garden Moore tells Sara he has quit drinking. She tells him “bravo” but quickly moves on to the reason she is there. Sara shows him an old society column about Kreizler’s parents. Moore tells her she is obsessed with Kreizler and says perhaps she is in love with him. Her response of “perhaps I am” surprises me. The clipping is from 30 years ago and talks about “young Master Kreizler” playing Mozart. Sara points out that to play the number mentioned you need two hands. Kreizler lied!
Moore says that he was always told it was a congenital defect, so Kreizler has lied to everyone about his arm. So how was his arm injured? I have a feeling it was one of his parents, most likely his mother who I suspect was very domineering.
Pentecost
As Pentecost begins we flash back and forth between Bishop Potter at his service and Willem who is downing bottle after bottle of what I assume is alcohol. Willem is very distressed and finally leaves the attic he has been staying in. Where is he going? I don’t believe he is the killer, but maybe I’m wrong.
As night falls we see Lucius and Cyrus back on the rooftop watching the brothel. Inside the brothel Stevie leans awkwardly against a fireplace. Moore is seated at a table keeping an eye on him. The brothel is packed tonight. Marcus is seated at a different table also keeping an eye on Stevie. I feel so bad for Stevie, he clearly does not want to be doing this, and has no clue how to act. I think he looks too suspicious for the killer to approach him.
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