As the episode begins, we are taken to the small protestant estate of William Winters. It is July of 1885. Ireland is an undivided province of the British Empire. Beth Winters (Ann Skelly) looks through a book and reads about Belladonna and Arsenic. She begins gathering materials to make a concoction of sorts. She tries to force Billy (Matthew Rhys) to drink it. He promises to be honorable and never lay a hand on her again. Beth wakes. She tries to wake Billy, but he only rolls over. Beth heads out in the fields. She walks until the sun rises. She finds a hurt cow and tends to it.
With her help, the cow springs back to life. In a flashback, Beth remembers her mother, Catherine (Valene Kane), telling her about the marriage dowry. Back in the present, Beth claims that she is going to leave the lands forever. She sneaks back into her home and grabs her suitcase. She fills it with her belongings. In another flashback, Beth recalls her father arguing with her mother. Catherine married her husband despite knowing she was carrying another man’s child. Billy yells that he is going to disinherit Beth. Later that night, Billy finds Beth looking up disinherit in the dictionary. Billy tells her to bring the lamp.
He begins opening the safe. He shows her his stash of French gold. He tells her how his family got the gold. He explains that the money could be hers if Beth plays the part. Mercy Boyle (Charlene McKenna) brings Beth back to reality. Mercy gives Beth a birthday gift. Billy is finally stirred awake. Bishop Donnelly (Sean McGinley) pays a visit. Beth looks at her belly in the mirror. The bishop tells Billy that he is there to see Beth. Mercy asks the bishop to bless her brother who is in the kitchen. He agrees to do so. Beth recalls her first meeting with Liam Ward (Jamie Dornan). She admits she was intrigued with him. Liam explains that he is Tom’s nephew.
He tells Beth about the problem he has gotten himself in. She agrees to help him. Together, they pull Liam’s cow free. Unfortunately, the cow passes away. Liam thanks Beth and invites her over for tea. Liam tells Beth that his mother is in the asylum. His father walked out on the family when he was 12. Beth and Liam are both Catholic. In the present, Beth contemplates whether her future actions are smart or foolish. She wonders whether she really loves Liam. She also thinks about her hate for Billy and if she hates him at all. Beth tells the bishop that she is now 23. Billy explains that he has a surprise or two for her birthday. They speak about Beth’s lack of love life.
The bishop asks Billy about Maurice Fairbrother. The bishop explains that he is from the Revenue Department at Dublin Castle. He wanted to look into their accounts. Maurice (Pip Torrens) intends to speak with Billy. Maurice wanted to know about Liam Ward and Frank Blessing (Martin McCann). Billy is told that both men are wretched. He is encouraged to refuse them. Beth overhears their conversation. The bishop suggests that Ward is evil. The bishop does his best to pressure Billy to see things his way. Beth receives a gift from the bishop. Her father gives her a ticket to see Percy French. Beth admits she doesn’t care much about Percy French. Beth tells Billy about John Keats and death and nightingales.
Billy intends to find someone else for the ticket. The house maids joke around with one another. Billy tries to convince Beth to change her mind and see Percy. He wants to know what is making her moody. Billy tells her that he has never harmed her. She tells him about the last time he came, sat on her bed and kissed her unfatherly. She explains that he said something naughty and she slept in Mercy’s bed. Billy cannot recall any of that. Beth asks who the Bishop called evil. Billy tells her that he was talking about Liam. Billy promises to make amends before leaving. Beth continues packing her belongings. She is once distracted by Mercy. Billy runs into McGonnell. The man begs him for money and food.
Billy visits the quarry. Beth helps Mercy churn butter. Liam passes by. Mercy praises his looks. Mercy admits she has told Constable Shanley (Eugene O’Hare) things she shouldn’t have. In a flashback, Mercy watches through the window as Billy kisses Beth. She doesn’t want to tell Beth what she told Shanley. Billy speaks with Ward at the quarry. Ward chats with Inspector Quinn (Paul Kennedy). Billy tells Ward that Donnelly is threatening to cancel all orders if he uses Ward for deliveries. They want to know what would make Donnelly say that about Ward. Ward is told he will not be used for those deliveries. Beth goes through her letters. She visits her mother’s grave.
Later, she runs into Liam. He tells her that he has come to visit her. He tells her to meet him later at his cottage. She tells him about her feelings. They agree to meet somewhere. They meet down by the water before getting on a sailboat. Liam tells her that he doesn’t swim. She promises that she would save him if they went under. They visit Corvey Island. Beth tells Liam that her mother left the island to her. They speak about their dislike for Billy. She tells him that she is not kin to Billy. Beth wants to know more about Billy’s crime. Liam claims that Billy is a spy. He tells her that Billy has been seen at the Castle several times. Beth doesn’t believe he is an informer.
She admits she sometimes wishes him dead. She tells Liam about Billy beating her mother. She also tells him about the unfatherly kisses. Before too long, they sleep with one another. In the morning, they speak about Beth’s true father. She tells Liam about Billy showing her the gold. Liam becomes intrigued with the gold. He tells her that killing is easy. Getting away with it is not. He suggests taking what they need and what he doesn’t need. He contemplates poisoning Billy and putting him to sleep for a few days. Beth finishes packing her belongings. Billy continues planning to steal the gold. They plan to steal the gold on her birthday, July the 10th.
Death And Nightingales Review
The opener of Death and Nightingales was indeed slow. I felt that it served its purpose though. It was a good introduction to the characters, Beth’s troubles and her relationship with Liam. The acting was pretty good all around too. The episode did a good job of setting up the theft of the gold. I know nothing about the book so I have no clue what is going to happen from here on out. I enjoyed the episode. It wasn’t the best thing I’ve seen, but it was good nevertheless. The opener scores a 7.5 out of 10.
