REVIEW: The Terror, Season 1 Episode Nine 'The C, The C, The Open C'

 REVIEW: The Terror, Season 1 Episode Nine 'The C, The C, The Open C'

Historical accuracy is an important factor in any drama in a period setting. Being able to accurately convey the time period, in a way that feels real and authentic, can go a long way towards making the events of a drama in a past setting seem as though they could have actually taken place. Nowhere in The Terror is this more important than in its ninth episode.

For in its ninth episode, we not only get events occurring on the mainland again, but we also get introduced to a historical figure. Lady Jane Franklin (Greta Scacchi) and Sophia Cracoft (Sian Brooke) are introduced at the London Cultural Society by none other than Charles Dickens (Tristan Teller) himself. Although this Dickens may not look quite like the traditional image of Charles Dickens, it's still really cool to see a historical figure pop up in this series. Charles Dickens is both a fun and surprising addition to the show, and it helps deliver some real authenticity to proceedings.

Back in the land of ice, captains Francis Crozier (Jared Harris) and James Fitzjames (Tobias Menzies) are assessing the deaths that occurred in the aftermath of the previous episode, and the Tuunbaq has certainly left quite a mess. There's this real sense of dread in this scene, a feeling that this supernatural creature is totally unstoppable, and it does an excellent job at conveying just how big a threat it has become. This creature will leave nothing in its wake, and destroy anyone who stands in its way.

James, unfortunately, is gravely ill, owing to a previously sustained injury that has worsened during his time on this expedition, and it's sad to see this character written out of the series. He gets a lovely exit scene though, which shows quite a sentimental side to Francis Crozier, and allows both Jared Harris and Tobias Menzies to flex their acting chops. They give a subtle performance, but one full of so much weight and emotional, and you really sense this huge loss for the crews of both ships when James eventually passes.

Hickey (Adam Nagaitis) is once again up to no good. This time he has turned to killing William Gibson (Edward Ashley), whose previous illness has got worse, and using him for meat. This man really is relentless in his traitorous behaviour, and Adam Nagaitis is brilliant in the role. He imbues the part with so much cold and calculating menace, and is an inspired casting choice for the series.

This man even tries to get Henry Goodsir (Paul Ready) involved in his cannibalistic ways, which is truly despicable. He is trying to corrupt the mind of possibly the kindest soul in this series, and that really is a demonstration of pure evil. Thankfully, Henry stands up to Hickey and refuses to perform the cannibalism, straight up telling Hickey that if he wants to consume human meat he will have to cut it up himself, in a scene that I suspect makes many a viewer punch the air in just how much he tears Hickey apart. It's a real standout moment for the series, and a clear demonstration of Henry Goodsir's principles, that he is someone who understands the value of human life and will make a stand for what he believes is right.

It's a very hard episode for Henry Goodsir, who is sent into an emotional spiral because of Hickey's cannibalistic tendencies, and refuses to leave his tent. Hodgson (Christos Lawton) approaches Henry and tries to offer words of comfort, by recalling a moment from his childhood which greatly impacted him, and it helps us to understand Hodgson's character a great deal more. He's someone who does what is necessary, no matter how much he dislikes it, and that ultimately is why he eats Gibson's body. He's hungry, and he just wants food.

Elsewhere, Lady Silence (Nive Nielsen) converses with a member of her own people, and it seems she is not the shaman of the tuunbaq. We are told that her destiny is actually to help the man who is the creature's shaman, and she doesn't look too happy about it. It seems to me at least that she no longer wants anything to do with this creature, and would prefer not to be involved. I don't think Lady Silence is as suspicious as she initially seemed.

Overall, this episode does a brilliant job at delving deeper into the characters and their beliefs. We get some great scenes in particular with Henry Goodsir and Hodgson, and Hickley once again comes across like a troublesome presence. It's the introduction of Charles Dickens, however, that is the most surprising, and this is something that really helps to sell the period of this historical setting.

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What are your thoughts on The Terror's ninth episode? Let me know in the comments section.