“Not content to live in a cage, Lenore chooses another fate. Alucard opens his castle. Sypha wonders if she's lost Belmont for good.”

Just a reminder: this is a mature series, so swearing and self-harm (vampiric style).

 

Here we are, the final episode of the season and the series. There might be a spin-off later on down the line, but the main story line is done for now. Let's look back at this episode that concluded the whole thing.

Everything here starts with a view of what was Camilla's castle, now under Issac's control. We don't see Issac at all during this part, instead it just focuses on Hector and Lenore. The two have a good conversation. Lenore talks about the “Vampire's Virtue,” bringing a bit of light to Carmilla and what she intended. Hector makes a good argument at the difference of Strength and Power, making a good circle back to what Lenore had been talking about with what they wanted from life. The two have a good conversation, figuring out what they are going to do next (beyond finding more wine for tomorrow). Take the time to watch the reactions and expression of both Hector and Lenore throughout the conversation and see if you can spot when she makes her decision.

 

The rest of the episode is focused on the new town springing up around Dracula's castle. It begins with a tree that has been split open showing a flowering vine growing on it. The camera pans downward to show a tombstone with the Belmont family crest on it. We get to then see the Belmont hold under repairs, with people collecting the broken masonry (including the piece with the Belmont Crest we saw last episode) to clear it. We also get to see just the hold being lived in again, the lights on and people using the library found in the depths of it. The strings from the last part are still there, but they've been joined with a piano, making everything more uplifting, but still a bit mournful. This quiet peace is broken with Greta and Alucard talking about a plan (who originated it is up for debate) for the town to resettle in the Castle's lands. After the two confess a bit to each other, they are interrupted when Sypha emerges from the Keep. Sypha emerges from the castle barely holding together, emotionally. We get a wonderful conversation between Sypha and Alucard. He tells her about the town settling around the castle and how they will need her help. She relents when Greta joins in. This scene has one more surprise, that I'll pick at later. Let's just say, first time, there were tears.

 

Okay, time to get into the weeds for what just happened, so spoilers galore past here. The opening is just so low key, opening on Hector pouring the wine. It does take quite the turn with Lenore stepping out into the sun before being consumed by the sunlight. This isn't the first time she is talking about vampires liking things being constant. We heard it a number of episodes ago from her, talking about the stability that Striga had been enjoying thanks to her and her sisters. The strings in the music are just too perfect for the mourning tone of it. But how Lenore finds peace in the end is something to be envied. It also gives Hector a sense of liberation by the end of this scene.

 

Finally, we get to the return of Trevor. Watching Episode 9 again, it was MUCH easier to notice smaller details. There are 2 in particular that need to be called out, 1) like the portal effect that explosion from Death had 2) Saint Germain touching the key for the Infinite Corridors. It is much easier to miss the key touch than it is to miss the effect of the destruction of Death. I do love how this leads to a flip in the troupe of the Heroic Sacrifice, giving everyone here a chance to live again, together. And the horse gets the redemption they were due, bringing Trevor back alive. A wonderful call back to the start of the season for the return of Trevor. That and both Trevor and Sypha got to use, “I love you,” “I know.”

 

Alright, I lied, there's one more part to this whole episode with Vlad and Lisa. I'm putting it here because it does act as something of a spoiler. Still, seeing the couple together again is very touching. That and seeing Vlad honestly smile, being genuinely happy for the first time in years to be in the world with her again. Just that they found each other in death and have returned together is much a touching moment. A little head butting between the pair while they sort what each of them can remember about coming back to the land of the living, but it ends quickly. They do decide to visit Adrian at a later point, but recognize their son needs to to heal and grow before they do that. It's beautiful to have this end as it began, with Vlad and Lisa out to live in the world.

 

Final Thoughts

After so many weeks, and a little reluctance to write this article, we're at the end of the first Castlevania series. There is still plenty to explore in this universe, so don't go thinking the whole thing is at an end. It might be in particular regards, but not the world itself. Others, in time, will take it up and expand the world more. There were plenty of brilliant fights throughout and wonderfully funny moments. No long term stories really between the seasons (beyond bringing Dracula back, and getting ready to fight Dracula, but that's par for Castlevania). Even without that, there is a lot to enjoy in this. Re-watching episodes to write the reviews is a treat I will likely revisit in the future. Nothing too deep in this one, but something to share with the gamers in anyone's life if they haven't watched it yet. It pays good homage to the series it drew from but gives itself a very distinct identify. Certainly hope everyone else enjoyed the ride.

 

Until next time, toss a coin to your gamer!

 

Season 4 Final Tally:

Bisections: Hundreds

Combustions: 4+

Decapitations: Dozens

Horses killed: 10+

Dick Jokes: 4+

Neck broken: 16

Skewers: 4

Punch-domed: 1

Shield Slammed: 2

Cases of good ol' murder: The rest of them