Ep 2. Predators Far and Near

In Penny Dreadful season 3 episode 2 titled "Predators Far and Near," the show continues to explore the dark and Gothic world of 19th century London. The episode opens with Vanessa Ives still dealing with the aftermath of her encounter with Dracula in the previous season. She is deeply unsettled and is seeking solace in faith, but it seems like the forces of darkness are still after her.

Meanwhile, Ethan Chandler has been captured by Inspector Rusk, who believes that he is responsible for the murders that have been happening in the city. Rusk is determined to bring Ethan to justice, but things take an unexpected turn when they encounter a mysterious group of people on their journey to London.

Back in the city, Sir Malcolm Murray is dealing with his own demons. He is haunted by his past and struggling to come to terms with the damage he has caused to his family. In this episode, we see him confronting his daughter, who has returned to London with a new mission.

As the episode progresses, we see the paths of Vanessa, Ethan, and Sir Malcolm converge. They are all navigating their own personal traumas and trying to resist the darkness that threatens to consume them. This is a key theme in "Predators Far and Near" - the idea that we are all capable of evil, and that it's the choices we make that ultimately define us.

The episode also introduces us to some new characters. One of them is Dr. Alexander Sweet, played by Christian Camargo. He is an American zoologist who has come to London to lecture on his work. Vanessa is instantly drawn to him, but there's something mysterious about Dr. Sweet that sets off alarm bells for some of the other characters.

We also meet Renfield, played by Sam Barnett. He is a patient at a mental institution and has a strange fascination with vampires. Renfield is an interesting addition to the show, as he serves as a sort of nod to Bram Stoker's Dracula (Renfield is a character in the novel).

Overall, "Predators Far and Near" is a strong episode that continues to build on the momentum of the season premiere. The writing is sharp, the performances are excellent, and the production values are top-notch. Fans of the show will not be disappointed.