Labyrinth
Before I really start my review of episode 3 of Castlevania, I have a
confession. I watched 3 and 4 back to back. Which really just
killed some speculation I had, but it also affects this review. Not a
whole lot, but still…
Anyway, Trevor heads down into the catacombs looking for
Grandchild the Speakerkid. And, more so than the second episode,
it gives you an opportunity to appreciate what Richard Armitage
brings to Trevor. His take is somewhat subdued in both episodes,
though arguably he has more to play against in Labyrinth. I’d be
hard-pressed to guess how much of any given line is Ellis’s
writing, and how much is Armitage’s performance. But what is
obvious is that both come together to make something delightful.
There’s something about hearing Trevor remark on his catlike
reflexes after a fall, only for the ground to give way once again.
As a matter of fact, I have no idea how they got half of this voice
cast. Specifically, to play characters in a series based on a nearly
30 year old video game. Meredith Layne should probably get a
medal for that.
Any way, Trevor runs face to face with the Sypha scenario from
the game. She’s stone, and there’s an angry cyclops that turned
her to deal with. Trevor realizes the shit he’s in, too. He is,
however, able to prevail, restoring Sypha. Sypha is not a fan of
Trevor’s attitude on the whole.
The old man is overjoyed to find that Sypha is still alive; less so in
following through on Trevor’s deal. He does offer him a place to
stay, but that’s tenuous at best. Trevor wanders off for… some
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reason, and runs right into his best friends from earlier. You
know, the ones down a finger and an eye, respectively.
They take him to see the Bishop, who just so happens to be the
lunatic that started the mess in the first place by burning Lisa as a
witch. And he’s nuts enough to believe that, not only will killing
all of the Speakers before sundown will spare them Dracula’s
monsters, but that God Himself is really pleased with his work. He
offers to let Trevor live, as long as he leaves by sundown. Trevor
agrees just to leave.
He’s obviously not going to do it, and sets a plan in motion to
protect the Speakers. As a matter of fact, this probably has my
favorite Trevorism thus far; he refers to the bishop as “snake-
fuckingly crazy”. Which he is; that said, this somehow beat out
“God shits in my dinner once again” from earlier in the episode.
He then manages, through guile and planning, to hold off an
angry mob of villagers, as well as a bunch of armed priests. Well
for a bit. And then the night creatures come.
There’s one or two things I’ve taken small issue with thus far in
Castlevania. But I’m holding off on them for the finale, since it’s
not exactly fair to take the individual episodes to task for them.