Ron Does Stuff

Aleksander and Klopp manage to escape the Leviathan in the previous episode, but have had to leave Volger behind to do so. Aleksander definitely heard a shot while he and Klopp were running away, but does that necessarily mean Volger’s dead?

At the start of the episode, we see Nora Barlow and Deryn headed somewhere atop a Clanker elephant and can I just say that I remember the illustration this is based on from the book? I just want to commend the show once again for bringing Keith Thompson’s illustration to life.

While on their way to somewhere in Constantinople, Nora and Deryn discuss Aleksander’s escape, and why the loris immediately latched on to him. Just like Renesmee, the loris imprinted on Aleksander and now doesn’t want to be part of him. Also, I brought up Renesmee just so I could post this.

The loris is going to be a bargaining chip in the discussion with the Ottoman Empire. Whether it’s going to be a successful one remains to be seen.

Elsewhere in the city, Aleksander and Klopp are in a restaurant, waiting for Volger to show up. Aleksander also learns that the locals prefer that it be called Istanbul rather than Constantinople, and it definitely sounds like a coup is about to take place. But before Aleksander can fully digest that, the place is thrown into chaos as a bunch of guys with green bands on their arms attack an old man for writing what I am guessing is an article inciting rebellion.

Aleksander is taken away from the mess by a masked girl, who unfortunately leaves him alone after he insists on going back for klopp, who is left inside the restaurant. Things get even dicier when Aleksander notices that the local police seem to be working with the German military.

Elsewhere in Istanbul, Deryn and Nora Barlow meet the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who they try to win over to the Darwinist side with the gift of the perspicacious loris, which Nora Barlow describes as a creature that can “elevate any nation to a level of development spanning decades.” However, the Sultan has already had it with the colonizers — rightfully so! — and destroys the egg instead. However, he’s traded his country for another colonial master, who wants to roast the Leviathan alive with their Tesla coil-equipped warship.

BUT, the Sultan lets them get back to the Leviathan, at least, which is worrying in itself. Adding to their troubles is the fact that the sole remaining loris egg might not hatch at all, so they have to recover the loris that imprinted on Aleksander. This is because the loris was supposed to be delivered to one specific person because it could turn the tide in the war. How exactly isn’t explained, but hey since I mentioned imprinted let’s watch this clip again.

Nora Barlow tries to convince Volger to tell her where Aleksander could be hiding, but Volger is a stubborn bitch and refuses to help out. Deryn tries to reason with him and says that she’s concerned for him since he’s her domodachi and oh look SOMEONE SAID DOMODACHI.

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ANYWAYS, Deryn and Volger have a tense back and forth and Deryn shows that she may know Aleksander a little better than Volger. But Volver volleys back by telling Deryn that she knows her secret — that she’s a crossdresser actually a girl. Volger uses that little tidbit to blackmail Deryn into going to the Blue Mosque to reassure Aleksander that Volger is safe and that he should leave the country now while he can.

Aleksander, however, is not at the Blue Mosque at the moment, having been taken by a Clanker machine to a group of what looks to be independence fighters. Aleksander tries to be evasive, but the elderly woman Nene manages to suss out his real identity just by holding his hand. Nene also sparks something inside Aleksander when she declares that she doesn’t want the city to be ruled over by aristocrats or foreigners, but by its people. Aleksander aligns himself with the independence fighters, because he wants to save his friend on the Leviathan. And that friend isn’t Volger, in case it wasn’t clear.

Back on the Leviathan, the crew is getting antsy since the Germans still aren’t attacking, but the captain sort of lifts their spirit up by telling them that the Behemoth is on its way to back them up. However, they need to get rid of an anti-Kraken net before the Behemoth can reach them, so Deryn and three other dudes go on a mission armed with steel-disintegrating barnacles. Field trip!