“Alucard travels to Danesti, where he makes a dramatic entrance in the nick of time. Also the scholar Saint Germain reflects on his own twisted path.”

Just a reminder: this is a mature series, so swearing, and brutal fights ahead. Teens are likely welcome, but not kids.

Welcome back to the review series. We have people coming back, allegiances shifting, schemes underway, and much more happening.

While the story starts with Sypha and Trevor, they are not really the focus of the episode. We see more of the ruins of Tragoviste and just the decayed state that it's in (the dog we see just 10 seconds in REALLY drives it home). We also see Trevor actually wanting to plan a bit (and the two tones that Sypha uses for “I'm glad you think so” are perfect). But that's all the time we get with them, just 2-3 minutes and we're done.

The next portion of the episode is all about Danesti, and (the) Alucard (of the castle). This dramatic arrival just screams of the iconic entrance from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. If you haven't watched it, take the 5 minutes and watch the first stretch of gameplay (skip the intro... that 90's CG didn't age well). The choir music just fits the tone of the scene damn well. Also, for a more “realistic” animation, this has some wonderful full-on anime over the top moments. The design of these armored monsters was something (that legit) took a few viewings to notice. Some are more lean and use their blade armors, others are a bit more muscular and use a boxing style of fighting. I'm ranting about the fight since seeing Alucard actually fighting against something that takes effort is something at this point in the series.

Just after that, things slow as we get to see the remains of Danesti. Greta, the headwoman of the village, thanks him for coming to help but makes it clear she wants to recruit him. Likely, actually have him in the village to help defend it. Not just one fight but the whole battle of attrition that they have been under. She also introduces a returning character to Alucard, Saint Germain. Germain does call Alucard by his actual name, Adrain (which does not come up much). There is another thing at work as well with the scholar, but he is very careful not to show his hand. He merely suggests things to better improve the villager's chances of survival. This is especially true with the refugees coming in from the other villages and the news they bring.

After the attack is done, we learn what's happened with Saint Germain since he went into the Infinite Corridors. We see a wonderful scene just teaching us about the past of Saint Germain (or the fall of his present self). Just his search for access to the Infinite Corridor (and falling in love) seems to be something major here. We slowly catch up to the present going through just a little of last season before seeing what happened 6 weeks ago. No montage to catch the viewer up beyond that. Saint Germain is a driven man when he wants to find something. The goal of alchemy within the Castlevania world is revealed as well, the search for the Rebus, an item of contradictions. If he truly wants to achieve his goals, all that he held dear and was must be sacrificed to the pyre of his ambition to control the chaotic Infinite Corridor. Deals must be struck and souls of the innocent must burn for the power he wants.

The story mechanic of going back 6 weeks to the end of the last season comes back here in the best way. While not used to quite the same extent, it moves things back just enough. It sets the stage beautifully as so much is thrust into the light with a lot that's just been alluded to before. Varney and his plan for the resurrection of Dracula are major. Just seeing how this has been used to lure in Saint Germain (who is in a very deadly dance) and Hector (a useful pawn to both Varney and Camilla). Plus seeing the careful implanting of ideas by Saint Germain with Alucard is there. Likely, he will sway the Half-Vampire to bring the survivors of the attacks to Dracula's castle. The exact thing that Saint Germain needs to do his work for the resurrection of Dracula. This also makes it clear that Varney, the Night Mayor of London, (whose stench is identifiable at 1,000 paces), is behind the rash of events that Trevor and Sypha have been dealing with. Groundwork is laid down, and new sides of each character are shown here.

Alucard, for his part, is trying to make the world better for all the misery his father caused. But in taking on the defense of the village, he has opened up a massive complication for himself. He wants to help, but also wants to protect the people from the dangers of the Castle. This is a time where we can see him grow once again. After the last time he attempted to host people... his hesitancy is very understandable. It is a question of how this will go through.

The fall of Saint Germain and him working with the Vampires is chilling. Last season we saw a man looking for the safest way to enter the Infinite Corridor to see the woman he loves. He got in without any control. To get that control, and re-enter, he has debased himself. After his first murder in this new quest, he was broken, but found determination through it. He is no longer the scholar and occult master he was. He walks the path of the Alchemists with bloody footsteps.

The final tally with this episode: 1 neck break, 4 skewers, 1 slashed, 1 punch-domed, 1 Shield Slammed, and 1 case of good ol' murder. And the Dick Joke Tally for this one is just 0. Could use more.