We witness Marie-Andrée tackle persona of Monique in newest episode (Image: BBC)
Warning: spoilers forward for episode two of The Serpent.
When launched to serial killer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim) within the first episode of BBC drama The Serpent, one can’t assist however marvel how his accomplice Monique (Jenna Coleman) involves be in his firm, dwelling a seemingly carefree and glamorous life in Bangkok, Thailand.
Clearly she is at the very least considerably conscious of what gem seller Charles (who goes by the alias Alain) will get as much as behind closed doorways. So does this imply she doesn’t care that he’s drugging, hurting and killing unsuspecting travellers? Or maybe she has chosen to stay willingly unaware of his misdoings?
Initially, Monique is portrayed as an enigmatic character – a lady who retains her true emotions and ideas fastidiously hidden away from others. Nevertheless, as episode two makes clear, she shouldn’t be the smooth-talking socialite she seems to be, as Victoria star Jenna is ready to convincingly convey the anxiety and battle Monique is feeling beneath her multifaceted facade.
In a sequence of flashbacks, we be taught that Québécoise Monique – whose actual identify is Marie-Andrée – first meets Charles whereas on vacation in India with one other man known as Jules (James Gerard). After Jules mysteriously falls in poor health (not arduous to guess how that occurred), the mousy Marie-Andrée spends an rising period of time in Charles’ firm.
As he showers her with compliments about her interior and outer magnificence, Charles is ready to win Marie-Andrée over by benefiting from her vulnerabilities, leading to her deciding to forego her household in Québec, Canada to reside with him in Bangkok.
Monique hides the battle she feels behind a facade (Image: BBC/© Mammoth Display screen)
After three weeks dwelling collectively in a dingy flat, Marie-Andrée is clearly sad, annoyed by Charles’ incapacity to offer her the intimacy she craves. It’s throughout a shock journey to the seaside that the persona of Monique is born, as Charles encourages Marie-Andrée to undertake the faux identify whereas introducing herself to an Australian couple, who he later medicine and robs.
The second episode of the BBC drama is stuffed with contrasting notions about Monique’s nature – has she misplaced her identification by changing into trapped in Charles’ net or has she discovered her true self with him by her facet? Can she nonetheless discover a street to redemption, or is she too far gone to ever retrieve the ethical compass she could have as soon as had?
Though Monique is evidently not guilt-free, you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel just a little sorry for her as she finds herself caught up in a relationship that’s much more manipulative than she realised. Nevertheless, any semblance of sympathy one may really feel for Monique vanishes instantly on the very finish of the episode.
Charles attracts Marie-Andrée into his net of deception (Image: BBC/© Mammoth Display screen)
After Monique exits the bed room of younger Dutch couple Willem (Armand Rosbak) and Helena (Ellie De Lange), who’ve been made severely in poor health at Charles’ palms, the pair could be heard combating with Charles and his confederate Ajay (Amesh Edireweera). Fairly than attempt to intervene, a shocked Monique as an alternative presses a radio to her ear, the music drowning out Helena’s screams.
As Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle) discovers shortly afterwards, Willem and Helena are ultimately burnt alive. And so there could be little question that Monique knowingly abets a horrific homicide.
Key moments
- Advised by way of the eyes of Monique, episode two leans closely on her backstory.
- Monique, whose actual identify is Marie-Andrée, clearly feels conflicted in regards to the crimes she is witnessing (and never witnessing) Charles finishing up – however not sufficient to intervene.
- Herman continues to make progress along with his investigation, discovering pictures of Willem and Helena and studying precisely how they died.
- The diplomat ultimately tracks down a lead, a French girl who has beforehand been acquainted with Charles and Monique.
Verdict
Whereas the second episode of The Serpent shouldn’t be as fast-paced as the primary, the slower narrative offers a much-needed alternative to share a background story for Monique. Though it’s nonetheless not solely obvious why she decides to stick with a person who she is aware of is committing unthinkable crimes, it’s clear that she received’t be capable of escape the results of her wilful ignorance of Charles’ actions.
Elsewhere, Herman’s investigation into the disappearance of Dutch travellers Helena and Willem positive aspects traction, as he discovers the handle of a French girl who has been visiting varied embassies with allegations of a neighbour drugging and killing guests. The diplomat unknowingly finds himself scorching on the paths of Charles, monitoring the informant right down to her flat.
It admittedly takes some time for probably the most riveting elements of episode two to reach. Nonetheless, this artistic selection could have been purposely made as a way to arrange a way more suspense-filled instalment subsequent week.
The Serpent returns on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.
