An Unusual Dinner Party
The Isaacson brothers arrive at Delmonico’s Steakhouse where they are escorted to a private dining room. You can tell by the looks of awe on their faces that this is not something they are used to doing. Sara is already in the private dining room waiting for Kreizler. Marcus assumes Sara is there to “take notes” and she tells him she doesn’t know why she is there. Kreizler and Moore finally arrive apologizing for their lateness.
As they begin their dinner Marcus details the Zweig boy’s injuries. He explains they needed to find a knife that was capable of cutting muscle and tendons as well as plucking out eyeballs. Not exactly the kind of discussion I would want while eating my dinner. Lucius then shows them the knife they found, The Arkansas Toothpick. Kreizler appears fascinated by the weapon.
The Science of Dactylography
The Isaacsons explain the latest science they plan to use in the investigation, dactylography, or as we know it now, fingerprints. They explain that “finger marks” are not accepted by the majority of their colleagues in the Police Department. Marcus then shows the doctor a timepiece that was found in the boys burial suit. The timepiece had been found near the bodies and has a bloody finger mark on it. Kreizler says they need to collect all the hints the murderer has left behind revealing aspects of his “alienated mind.” He informs everyone present that if they get too close, the killer’s violence may spill over onto them.
Moore is angry at Kreizler for including Sara in his plan. He feels it’s too dangerous and puts her job at risk. He refuses a ride home from him and chooses to walk. Sara is concerned about Moore because he has been drinking so Kreizler sends Stevie (Matt Lintz) to keep an eye on him.
On the way home Kreizler informs Sara that he wants her to act as a liaison between himself, the department and Roosevelt. He admits Roosevelt did not actually give his permission for Sara to do this. When he tells her he assumes she has an interest, she tells him it wouldn’t be fair to assume anything about her. He tells her she looks lovely this evening and there seems to be a hint of flirtiness between the two. As Sara is dropped at her home the two of them both have a hint of a giddy smile. I see these two eventually ending up in romantic relationship.
A Trip to the Brothel
As Stevie follows Moore through the seedier streets of New York I’m in awe of the amazing setting. The Alienist does an spectacular job of putting you into this time period. It’s a visual delight! Moore comes upon the brothel with young boys and enters. I’m in shock and now start wondering about him. He does not have calloused hands or an unusual mouth, so I don’t suspect he is the killer but I’m confused by him entering the brothel.
It occurs to me that he is there to get info, and not for sexual reasons, when I see his awkward demeanour in the brothel. Moore tells Biff Ellison (Falk Hentschel), the brothel’s proprietor, that he is looking for information on Giorgio Santorelli. That was not a smart move on Moore’s part. Ellison puts something into Moore’s drink. He then tells him that Giorgio’s regulars liked to hear how worthless they were. Another hint towards the killer’s identity perhaps? As Ellison walks away I keep hoping Moore does not consume his tainted drink. As one of the boys, “Sally” (Jamie Kaye), talks with him I keep thinking “don’t drink it!” but of course he does.
More Answers
Sally leads a drugged Moore to his room. Where is Stevie? He is supposed to be keeping Moore safe. Moore offers Sally $5 to tell him what he knows about Giorgio. I have to assume back then that was a lot of money. Sally tells Moore that “Gloria” had lots of customers, but she only talked about the one with the silver smile. We know the killer has something unusual with his mouth so that must be him. Does the killer have a mouth full of silver teeth? Or does he wear something in his mouth that is silver?
As the drugs effect on Moore becomes stronger, Sally explains that Gloria disappeared out of a locked room on the third floor. This makes me remember the man Kreizler chased into the attic. He vanished out of a room with no exit and only a hole in the roof. It almost seems like this man can fly, but I know that is impossible. Moore calls Sally a liar as he collapses on the bed.
In Danger
Sally steals Moore’s wallet and leaves the room as he gasps for breath. Where the hell is Stevie??? Suddenly Ellison enters the room with Paul Kelly (Antonio Magro), the brothel’s owner, and Captain Connor. Connor tells the other men that Moore is a friend of Roosevelt and Kreizler. Kelly calls in some of his “girls” and as they crawl on top of Moore we fade to black.
Are they going to hurt him? Are they going to set him up to look like one of their customers? Whatever their plan it won’t be good for Moore. What happened to Stevie? He saw Moore enter the brothel, why didn’t he protect him? Will Kreizler manage to save Moore? I can’t wait for next week to find out what happens next!
What did you think of the episode? Leave your comments below! Check out my previous review of The Alienist.
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