The Alienist Episode 6
Last week Dr Laszlo Kreizler (Daniel Brühl) found a pattern in the murders. Is the killer following the Christian Calendar? Now that they know WHEN he will strike will it be easier to catch him? Is the killer a member of “The 400”? It’s looking unlikely that Willem is the killer, but with all the twists anything is possible.
Going Under Cover
We open with a dead white horse laying in the street. Several boys walk past the poor thing and one stops to admire it’s mane. He then chased off by a man. We then find ourselves at Kreizler’s where Sara (Dakota Fanning) is helping his ward Stevie (Matt Lintz) dress up like a girl. Stevie is very uncomfortable doing this and tells Sara he is not a fairy.
Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Geraghty) arrives at the meeting. Marcus Isaacson (Douglas Smith) explains to him the theory of the killer following the Christian Calendar. Lucius Isaacson (Matthew Shear) tells the Commissioner that they fear the killer will strike again that night, The Feast of Ascension. Their plan is to take up surveillance around one brothel, The Slide, and use Stevie as a decoy. They need Roosevelt to close all the other brothels in the city for the night. Roosevelt is not happy with this plan, but does not stop them.
Able Bodied Men Only
Kreizler asks the Isaacsons about the logistics of the surveillance. They tell him they need to break into two 2-man teams, each team on a separate rooftop with Stevie on the street below. Marcus and John Moore (Luke Evans) will be one team. Lucius tells Sara this is no task for “the weaker sex”. Seeing Lucius’s face Kreizler adds or for “cripples.” I’ve certainly never thought of Sara as “weaker” or Kreizler as a “cripple”, but neither of them argue the point with him. Cyrus (Robert Ray Wisdom) will join Lucius to make up the second team.
Connor (David Wilmot), who is no longer a Captain with the Police Department, enters O’Rourke’s Bar. When the bartender charges him a nickel for his beer he is shocked. No more free beers for him now that he’s just a civilian. Now that Roosevelt has kicked him off the force I worry about how he will retaliate, because you know he will.
Buenos Aires
We then see Willem Van Bergen (Josef Altin) staring out a window at The Statue of Liberty off in the distance. His mother (Sean Young) tells “Willie” it won’t be forever. She lets him know he can’t stay in the city, he is leaving early next week on a steamer. When Willem is told he is going to Buenos Aires he becomes very upset, pounding the table and yelling he does not want to go. He reminds me of my boys…when they were four. His father (Steven Pacey) tells him he better be on that boat when it sets sail.
The Isaacson brothers are perched on rooftops across from each other. Down below in a carriage Kreizler is describing the man they are looking for to Stevie. That the man will offer to take him somewhere, and Stevie says he knows, “to live in a castle.” Sara reminds him to signal if he feels he is in danger, the signal is polishing his shoe on the back of his leg. Stevie is then sent out to try to lure the killer.
Egg Cream
Moore is walking down the street when he spots Joseph (Jackson Gann) in an Ice Cream Shop. Moore enters the shop and explains to Joseph that egg creams have neither egg nor cream in them. I have heard of egg creams, and always assumed they had eggs and cream in them. Joseph and I learned something new, egg creams are chocolate syrup, seltzer water and milk. Moore warns Joseph to keep his window locked tonight, he seems to have a fondness for the boy. I would love to see him take the boy in and give him a good home.
Moore asks Joseph if he has ever thought of doing something else. He asks Moore what he does for work. He tells Joseph he’s an illustrator, that he draws pictures. The boy is shocked people would pay for that, he tells Moore “that’s stupid.” Moore again warns him to keep his window locked and to tell the other boys. As he leaves the shop he pays for Joseph’s egg cream and leaves him some money.
The Decoy
As night falls Stevie is walking around on the street near The Slide. Cyrus is on the rooftop with Lucius who is watching the boy through binoculars. Moore joins Marcus on the rooftop right above as a man approaches Stevie. The boy is very nervous as the man tries to pick him up. He is not use to this and you can tell it makes him feel very awkward. When the man asks him if he would like to rub up against him like a kitten Stevie tells him to bugger himself. It made me chuckle but he’s not going to find the killer that way.
Kreizler and Sara are waiting in a carriage since they were deemed not useful in the stake out. Kreizler tells her its 10:23 and he thought she might want to return home since it’s late. Is he being gentlemanly or trying to get rid of her? She tells him the Commissioner expects her to be there. When Sara asks him why he calls himself a cripple he explains he has a congenital affect, his arm never formed correctly. I had been wondering if it were an accident or if he were born that way. Now I know.
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.
Willem Flees
Willem arrives in a carriage at a port. Is he getting on the ship to Buenos Arias? I doubt it. The carriage driver sends a message through a friend of Connor’s that Willem has boarded a water taxi. Connor takes off after him saying he’s going Buenos Arias if they have to take him there themselves. I’m not sure why Connor is still mixed up in this. Who is he working for now that he’s no longer with the Police?
Willem is walking on a dark street near the port and Connor has caught up with him and is walking on the other side of the road. When Connor asks him if he’s going somewhere Willem becomes very nervous. He takes off running up onto a bridge that is under construction. Connor and his partner chase him higher and higher. He reaches the point where the bridge ends. The drop to the water below is huge. Willem thinks they are robbers and offers them money. Connor tells him he’s a degenerate and does not deserve to live among decent people.
I’m a Van Bergen!
Willem tells the men he is a Van Bergen, part of the 400. Connor tells him he’s a rich little pansy. When he calls him a dirty sodomite Willem tells Connor he can not talk to him like that because he’s a Van Bergen. I think Willem truly believes he should be treated like a little prince. I’m sure he has been his whole life. He then tells Connor he can not touch him, I think that was a huge mistake.
Connor pulls out his gun. Will he really shoot Willem? Willem tells him he won’t do that, I don’t think that is helping. My heart is pounding at the suspense. Will Willem jump? When he tells Connor he can’t do that he points his gun at him. I’m on the edge of my seat, I’m not sure which way this will go. The dramatic rise in music has me holding my breath…waiting, waiting, waiting. BANG! I literally jump in my seat. The blast is so loud. He’s done it! Connor shot Willem right between the eyes. With his partner’s help Connor wraps him up and tosses the body into the water far below.
Has the Killer Returned?
The man that was scared off during the last stake out has shown up at the brothel. We still only see him from behind, but I can easily tell it’s the same man. The camera follows him into the brothel and moves around the room, among all the people. This honestly reminds me of “The Mannequin Challenge” except that everyone is moving. It does look cool though and I can’t help but wonder if they managed to do it all in one take.
Joseph comes and sits down with Moore, he tells him its too hot working in the room with the window closed. “Rosie” begins talking to Marcus. The man that entered earlier has approached Stevie and told him he is happy to see he is not still outside. He has a very creepy, gruff voice that I don’t recognize. Stevie looks very nervous. The man asks him if he would like to get away from all this. Both Moore and Marcus are currently distracted and don’t see what is happening. Pay attention! The man tells Stevie he can take him away to a castle. He must be the killer! I’m screaming at my TV for Moore and Marcus to pay attention!
Stevie is giving the “danger” signal but neither man notices. The creepy man tells Stevie to find a room upstairs and wait for him. Moore finally notices Stevie’s distress and runs to him. When Stevie points the possible killer out Moore yells for him to be stopped. The man runs out of the brothel with Marcus on his heels. He chases the man into the building across the street.
The Confrontation
Sara and Kreizler are waiting in a carriage unaware of what is happening outside. Sara pretends to accidentally drop some Mozart sheet music. When Kreizler picks it up she asks him if he knows the piece, and he says he does. Sara tells him she heard he was once a prodigy. He doesn’t deny it. When she asks him what happened to his arm and why he has lied he become very defensive.
While Sara is confronting Kreizler, Marcus is nervously searching the building for the man and Moore is bringing Stevie to a bedroom. He tells Stevie to keep the curtain open and to put a chair against the door. Marcus is slowly making his way to a back room. Knowing the way this man can just vanish I don’t think he will actually find him there. Lucius, watching from the rooftop across the street, spots Stevie in the bedroom and realizes something has gone wrong. As he runs from the roof we see someone opening a bedroom window in the brothel.
The Hunt is On
When Marcus reaches the room in the back the man suddenly appears in the hallway behind him. This surprises me, I assumed he would have escaped already. Out on the street Sara is arguing with Kreizler about who hurt his arm, oblivious to what is going on around them. The man makes a move towards Marcus knocking him over. He runs off as Marcus shoots at him. Sara tells Kreizler he should tell the truth and that he is coward. Kreizler slaps Sara! I can’t believe it, he actually slapped her. I never imagined Kreizler would ever use physical force on a woman. She clearly hit a nerve with him, but that’s still no reason to slap her. They both seemed stunned that he hit her. Moore runs up calling for Kreizler, not knowing what has just happened. Kreizler seems reluctant to leave Sara but Moore yells for him to hurry.
Someone is trying to enter the room Stevie is in. He pulls out a razor blade ready to attack, as the door bursts open and my heart skips a beat. It’s Marcus! Thank goodness and Kreizler, Moore and Sara are right behind him. When Lucius suddenly runs in the they realize Cyrus was left alone on the roof and they can not see him.
Right Under Their Nose
The men run out of the room and Sara stays with Stevie. On the rooftop they find Cyrus unconscious, Kreizler tells Marcus to go find a Roundsman. When Lucius asks why he would attack Cyrus and bring attention to himself Moore realizes it was a diversion. He looks across the street and sees Sara and Stevie still in the room. As he scans the building he finds a room with an open window and a rope hanging by it. The killer has struck again right under their noses. The show ends as we see a mutilated dead boy laying at the base of the Statue of Liberty.
How will they ever stop this killer if he can pull off a murder with them right on his heels? What will happen to Connor now that he has killed a member of “The 400”? Will he try to frame someone else? Will we find out what happened to Kreizler’s arm? How many days until the next Holy Day? How many more boys are going to die? So many questions to be answered.
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