Taboo wastes no time getting to the story in this final episode of season one. What a season finale(Click here for BBC One, UK viewers)!
Zilpha, eyes as dark as the dress she is wearing, is walking with purpose, and that purpose is to die, jumping into the Thames. In voiceover we hear her letter to James, telling him goodbye.
James is in his cell with Sir Stuart. Stuart is confessing-as much as Sir Stuart can-to James. He sent James, as he had to so many other boys, to Africa, and he sent him to die.
James and Stuart are sharing a bottle and over drinks, they come to an agreement.
James will get his ship, and they both will be free of charges.
But Stuart still has one more card to play, he assumes it is one more than James has. The EIC always has the cards stacked in their favor.
We find what James’s trunk safe had inside–letters. Letters he had written to be delivered by the mysterious youth Robert to Cholemondeley, Atticus, and his other cohorts.
Stephen Graham as Atticus on FX’s series Taboo
Photo credit: FX
I saw none for Zilpha.
Helga and her co-conspirator Pearl are put in a coach by Pettifer for one final ride.
Meanwhile, James chants, and becomes convulsive; they need a doctor for him.
We see Helga’s carriage commandeered by Atticus. He expands the deal a little more than Pettifer would have liked.
Stuart, on a tight deadline, has found a ship for James, and in a surly mood, gets it for James.
Changing carriages, Helga is surprised to see Lorna waiting for her in the fresh ride. She has news; James is definitely not Winter’s murderer. It was the EIC. James is offering her a new start in the US.
The letter to Cholmondeley was a request for the explosions and distractions that only he can provide.
Lorna meets with the Countess/Carlsbad, and at her stage actress best, clues the Countess in that she knows who she is, and that James has sent her. He needs a letter for safe passage. And in exchange she gets no treaty, but she will know the name of the traitor in her midst. And in my opinion, one of Lorna’s best smartass lines.
Sir Stuart wants the names of James’s co-conspirators as James chants. The charges against him will be dropped, James says.
His plans are in motion, and Stuart now realizes it.
His group is waiting, hiding, and Brace sees the ship. He finally feels hope.
Atticus clears the streets by the docks of innocents; he knows what’s coming.
James is free, and finds Zilpha’s letter. Lorna has found him there, and has his letter for safe passage, a much better letter. He cannot believe Zilpha is dead; he cannot hear her singing as he hears so many other dead. Lorna can offer little comfort, but to tell him he must carry on. Zilpha will be dead no matter what he does, and he has promises to keep. He has unfinished business, he tells Lorna; she needs to get everyone together.
Chichester has gotten his bad news, James has deceived him, it seems, as Sir Stuart gloats.
James’s unfinished business is the traitor to the Americans. The dyed in the wool traitor. And he does dye, uh, die by James’s hands.
Whose voice is James hearing? Is Zilpha finally singing to him?
The ship is ready, and James’s crew quickly loads the gunpowder on the ship.
The Prince Regent declares a war on James Delaney, and the Redcoats head for the docks.
James must make haste, even with Cholmondeley’s traps.
Brace finds that he is not to go with James; James reassures him it is not punishment for killing Horace; it is because Brace could not handle freedom. James has left everything to Brace, he will be free, sure, but not as free as in America.
They make ready to fight with the Prince Regent’s troops, and the fight is bloody.
TABOO — “Episode 8” (Airs Tuesday, February 28, 10:00 pm/ep) — Pictured: Tom Hardy as James Keziah Delaney. CR: FX
I won’t put spoilers as to who lives and dies here-just don’t count anyone out, and prepare to get misty eyed. The crew carves out their path to the ship, and boards it.
Stuart has a package from the American doctor.
A package of some very spicy tea.
Chichester had also received a note.
He finds justice at the Delaney household.
Aboard the ship, the survivors bind up wounds and contemplate their escape and where they are headed. But what of the gunpowder? Will they give it to the Americans?
James’s answer is perfect.
Thoughts/questions on this episode:
Wow. Did not see Zilpha’s suicide coming. But is she really dead? With Taboo, one never knows. And her death goes back to water. Why is the family tied to the water?
Why are people shipping Cholemondeley and Lorna?
What is James’s endgame? Does he have a debt we know nothing about? Is this all about his mother and her people?
For the most part, he considers the crew damned, does this make them expendable even after all they have done?
Does he hear Winter sing?
Lastly, about Sir Stuart:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Can’t wait for Taboo’s second season.
Is it out yet?
How about now?
