Any television episode titled "Nevermore" has got to have some references to Edgar Allan Poe. Most of the references this time are visual, always a nice touch.
The artifact in question is a two-parter — the pen and the notebook which Poe used to compose his legends. The key is the black ink, which causes a nasty reaction if absorbed in the bloodstream. So who gets it? Myka (Joanne Kelly)'s dad! Played by Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh to Battlestar Galactica fans), Daddy Bering is understated as the crusty patriarch, but it works fine. He gets a book in the mail with Poe's writings. Since he touches the pages, he gets affected.
A boy in Portland, Oregon gets the pen. The prep school attendee finds out words really do have power, and he uses it to destructive effect after being bullied gets to him. Write a word on paper, and the person who reads it must suffer the consequences. Here's where the allusions come into play. "The Cask of Amontillado" is revenge for a plot discovered. Clever! "The Raven" is an escape route. "The Pit and the Pendulum" is almost cheesy, but memorable. The first note, however, is just payback.
Hogan and Bering have a few touching moments as the parent finally accepts what the child does. He knows nothing about her true job description, but understands she helped save his life. Perhaps next season can focus on Pete (Eddie McClintock) for a bit. This is different in that Pete's dad is dead, but he has a sister and, I assume, a mom.
McPherson (Roger Rees) returns! Rees and McClintock have a tension-filled scene at the top of the episode, which works well in setting the mood. Back at headquarters, Artie (Saul Rubinek) and Claudia (Allison Scagliotti) wait with bated breath. The part where Artie speaks French to convince the Montreal cops they should close in quick is a nice touch!
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Article comments
1 - TV Obsessed
After Artie asks Mrs. Frederick "What did you do with Leena?" in the beginning, I started speculating whether Mrs. Frederick and Leena are in fact the same person. Have they ever appeared in the same scene? I loved the artifact in this episode and Claudia going into the field. Full review of the episode on my blog.
2 - NancyGail
I don't think so, but I always thought it was because Leena is handling agents while Mrs F has concerns with the Warehouse itself. It's Frederic, btw.