Mayfair Witches – Michaelmas

By: Mariah Thomas

In an eerie fog a Scottish ferry comes into view with Rowan (Alexandra Daddario) overlooking the haunting sea. Cortland (Harry Hamlin) and Moira (Alyssa Jirrels) discuss their theories on why Lasher would have been taken to Scotland. Moira receives a text about the state of the Mayfair house. It continues to crumble as the hours go by and she worries for her sister and cousin. Rowan joins them and soothes the worry by saying they will stop whatever Julien’s (Ted Levine) plan is.

Lasher (Jack Huston) is locked in his room when he overhears voices on the other side. They introduce themselves as Ian’s (Ian Pirie) sons and Lasher continues to question why he was brought there. They tell Lasher he is actually a saint. In his confusion, he pleads for Rowan but they tell him he only needs his chosen mate who he will meet soon. Lasher hesitantly opens the door to request to see the woman who is supposedly just like him. When they refuse, he demands to see her and they agree under the condition he is restrained.

As they drive through the vast greenery of Scotland, Rowan holds her hands out feeling for Lasher. Her power is tied to him, so if he is near, her power will become stronger. The car suddenly ran off the road due to a flat tire. Lark (Ben Feldman), Rowan, Cortland and Moira overlook a map to figure out where they are. Rowan is sure this is the doing of Julien somehow and this is where he wants them to be. Lark reminds her it is okay to be scared and Rowan reveals she isn’t scared of Julien, only of what it will take to beat him. Since Kilbride is only a few miles away, the group decide to walk into town and leave behind the rental car. As they approach the small town, Cortland recounts the origins of Lasher’s story within the Mayfair family.

As the group walk into town, they realize a festival of some sort is going on. They walk through the streets of people in traditional costumes and ritualistic decor. Cortland heads off to the hotel while Lark, Moira and Rowan continue their walk. Moira is able to read the minds of those around them to piece together what this celebration is for. Lark separates from the girls to find out more information on his own. Rowan sees what appears to be Albrecht (Dennis Boutsikaris) and she rushes off to follow. Moira overhears a strange thought and sees a man in a red hood so she chases after him. Rowan doesn’t realize she left until she is gone. Lark returns with more information on the harvest. It is a Catholic feast in honor of the archangel Michael. When Rowan comments it doesn’t seem very Catholic, Lark reveals he also learned that is because of the Mayfairs in town. Since they put a lot of money into it, there are changes made to their request. The pair head off to meet Cortland at the hotel as Moira continues to get lost in the crowd following the hooded figure. She ends up in a bar that is the same one Rowan visited when she saw Julien in previous episodes.

Cip (Tongayi Chirisa) and a woman from the talasmaca arrive at their headquarters in Amsterdam. He is introduced to an agent who appears to have the ability to read minds or energy. She can immediately tell Cip is a good guy and knew nothing of Albrecht’s plan. She apologizes for the harsh capture and asks for his help. She tells him they have a clue as to where Albrecht may have gone and they need his gift to decipher it. He refuses on the grounds of secrecy and the hierarchy of the talamasca. He says he feels like a tool and that he was never the carpenter they made him out to feel like. He was always the hammer. She empathizes with him and says she knows his trust was compromised by Albrecht and apologizes for that. She promises that he is not like that and he tells her to prove it by giving him Albrecht’s previous position. As he prepares to leave, she says it is not a decision she can make on her own and to give her a few hours.

At the hotel, they discover their reservations never went through. The woman running check in promptly tells Lark and Rowan she found a driver to take them to another hotel. Rowan is suspicious and says it’s not a coincidence that their mind reader went missing.

Lasher is tied up by rope and restrained by several men as they journey into the forest. He has a cloth bag placed over his head to forbid him from seeing the route. Once there, it is removed and Lasher sees his future bride for the first time. In the same way he felt drawn to the Mayfair women in New Orleans, he feels a pull to this woman. She is in a beautiful field on a cow had a milkmaid bring him fresh milk. He chugs the milk which has been his source of nutrients all season.

Rowan goes back to the center of the festival and tries to make sense of what she is seeing. She continues to text Moira and worry. Rowan approaches a group of police officers to attempt to get their help to search for her. They laugh it off and say she probably found a guy and is sharing a beer somewhere. They tell her to come make a report if she is still missing in the morning. Just then, the man who was called to pick them up shows up. Rowan storms off and Lark hesitantly follows. Back at the hotel, they are told if they still want a ride they need to go now. Without Moira. On the drive, the man is hesitant to give them any clear answers. They soon pull up to a quiet, eerie, large house. Inside Ian is waiting for them and greets the group. He is putting on an over the top nice guy act. Ian embraces Cortland in a hug and says it has been too long. Ian approaches the man who drove them and slaps him for not telling them who he was. He introduces him as his son, Hamish (Cameron Fulton). Rowan immediately asks where Lasher is. Ian assures her Lasher is fine and she can see him once they all sit and talk first. They reveal that Moira is missing and Ian declares the family will be on it to find her.

Ian offers the group a ride back into town and Lark is quick to agree. However, Rowan asks for a moment alone. Lark tells her staying is not a good idea as they originally wanted to have a clear idea on what the family was like before meeting them. Rowan says staying to learn more may be good and Cortland wants to get to know his brother. Everyone is on edge but they agree to sit for dinner. Cortland notices Ian also has a Victorla player. Meaning, Ian is also in conversation with Julien. Cortland asks about Albrecht’s whereabouts and Ian claims he left already. Ian makes a toast to their reunion. Ian recounts old memories that Cortland struggles to remember but acts as if he does.

Rowan meets the youngest Mayfair girl. She learns about the patron saint of Kilbride and shows her a prayer card with an image similar to Lasher. She reveals tomorrow he will return. She asks more questions of this to Ian who reveals very limited information. She reveals to Ian she has spoken with Julien and he looks surprised. Rowan tells Ian to “cut the bullshit” and states she only came for a vial of Lasher’s blood. He doesn’t believe her for a second. He accuses her of being greedy and wanting what good is to come for herself. She demands Ian take her to Lasher.  He angrily refuses and she uses her powers on him. However, it is young Bonnie who gets hurt. Ian says the entire family is stitched together. If anyone in the house is hurt, it is Bonnie who will feel it. He gives her another chance to get it together and see the good in what is happening.

Rowan and Lark join the family feast outside. They try to figure out which family member is the “Moira of the family.” This being someone who doesn’t fully buy into everything and most likely to help them. Lark says it is most likely Hamish. Rowan attempts to level with Hamish. She tells him she can help him leave Kilbride if that is what he desires. When she asks about Moira, he tells her to check the tunnels in the basement. Cortland and Rowan meetup to discuss what they have learned. Cortland says Ian plans to drive him out to their car to change the tire and obtain their luggage. Meanwhile, Lark is talking lightly with everyone at the party to learn what he can. One of Ian’s sons is playing with a mask and someone else comments that it is human skin. The son puts on the mask and it is revealed to be Albrecht . At least what is left of him. Lark immediately takes Rowan into their room and says they need to leave. She soothes his desire to leave with a kiss that leads to much more.

Lasher walks the tunnels with two of Ian’s sons assigned to watch over him. He grows scared and runs off before sliding down a wall in deep emotion. He tells them he doesn’t want to hurt his future bride and recounts the Mayfair women he has accidentally killed back in New Orleans.

While Lark is sleeping, Rowan sneaks off into the basement. She finds a tunnel and once inside hears the door lock. It is revealed to be Hamish who locked her in.