A fairytale, a world depicted in “Carnival Row” where strange creatures coexisted with humans, didn’t differ greatly from the world in which we actually live. In both of these universes, there is still bigotry and hostility. Yet “Carnival Row” has been a rollercoaster of a ride. The plot has been skillfully presented, and the steampunk imagery is stunning. With all the blood and guts added to the grotesque world of the Critch, this series has given us some gut-wrenching yet heartbreaking moments. With the exception of a few fantasy clichés and a slight “woke” touch, almost everyone has praised this series for its innovative approach. However, in the final episode of Season 2, we were much more enamored with the ending because it patiently untangled the threads and explained what was happening in the series. So, let’s begin the process of coming to a conclusion for “Carnival Row.”
Spoilers Ahead
Who Killed The Sparas?
Episode 10 of “Carnival Row” Season 2 opens with the aftermath of Tourmaline’s vision when we eventually find that the Sparas was Major Vir from the Pact army. In the end, it became clear that Vir was actually working for the New Dawn rather than the Pacts. The Chancellor and the Burgish warriors were the targets of his personal vengeance because of his long-standing hostility toward the humans of the Burgue. Imogen discovered there was a connection between Kastor and Vir once she arrived at the Parliament. She discreetly suggested that to Millworthy, who had begun to have doubts about Vir. To alert everyone that the Sparas was inside, Philo ran toward the Parliament in the meanwhile, the New Dawn had been waiting for their adversaries to fall for their trap while the meeting was taking place in the Parliament.
All of the Critch-hating humans came together with the Burgish officers and began attacking each and every Critch in the Row. Together with the other members of the Black Raven and New Dawn, Leonora had been anticipating the right time for the attack. Meanwhile, Philo sprinted into the room and informed Millworthy of the Sparas’ true identity. However, before Millworthy could take any further action, Vir changed back into the enormous, winged Sparas and killed the Pact ambassador. He continued to hunt, but Tourmaline was able to divert him with her vision and entice him to fight with her. In order to assassinate Tourmaline, the Sparas fled the Parliament, leaving all the humans inside. Even though Tourmaline was aware that her time was running out, her vision wasn’t entirely accurate. She did, in fact, see the Sparas confronting her according to her visions, but because Darius stepped in to fight them, she was spared. To protect Tourmaline, Vignette dispersed from the Ravens, but she was hurt in the process. Finally, Philo showed up and killed the Sparas, but they lost Darius as a result.
The New Dawn maintained their composure for a while after the Sparas was slain. There was no point in fighting because their primary weapon had been slain. After halting the war, Leonora tried to flee like a coward, but Agreus stopped her in her tracks, and she was frightened that he would have her arrested. Yet Leonora committed herself and died a martyr’s death rather than bowing to Burgish power. Agreus was badly hurt, but he eventually gained his freedom, and the Burgue did too. The New Dawn withdrew, and the fight was over at last. Philo still had opponents inside the police force, one of whom shot him from behind, but the officer couldn’t get away with it either since Dombey killed him. But did Philo pass away in the process?
Did Philo Survive At The End?
Philo didn’t actually die; instead, his wound was treated and healed. Several moons later, after the Burgue was fully liberated from the control of any form of group or nation, Philo was chosen to be the next Chancellor. He declined the offer in front of the Parliament, though, saying that he was still embarrassed of what he had done to keep his Critch identity a secret. As a result, he wouldn’t be the rightful candidate for Chancellor until the Republicans selected a member of the Critch community. His desire for a prejudice-free nation and neutral justice system caused a commotion in the Parliament. Philo desired for his country to be devoid of all kinds of hatred, which may have been a fantasy for the Burgue at the time, but the shift had already begun. Imogen and Agreus brought electricity to the Burgue and accepted their relationship, flaunting it in front of the entire neighborhood. Millworthy left politics because he had been through a lot; hence it was preferable for him to go back to his previous job as a street performer. Philo couldn’t reconcile with Vignette because she had already given Tourmaline her heart and soul. We witness Tourmaline and Vignette getting married, kissing, and spreading their wigs out in the sky on the liberated land of Tirnanoc.
Conclusion
The third season of “Carnival Row” has been canceled by Amazon, so if you were hoping for it, we advise you to stop right there. Much better than the previous season, the second season has added a lot more twists and turns by introducing new characters and delving further into the dynamics of various groups in this universe. Yet, the plot became sluggish as a result of all the war and brutality and failed to alluringly depict the fantasy element. “Carnival Row” is more like an allegory for our reality, where immigration and intolerance still exist, compared to a magical fantasy land without magic in this universe. The series has been canceled owing to a number of factors, including the pandemic and some minor financial difficulties, but the voyage is still worthwhile and will endure for a while in our hearts. If the show ever returns for its third installment, it will be yet another magnificent journey that we would love to explore.
