In “The Bad Beginning: Part Two,” Olaf plans to execute a sinister plan to marry Violet in a play to get their parents’ fortune, while Mr. Poe’s secretary, Jaqueline, hatches a plan to make things right for the children.
Part Two of the series opener has a lot to get done, seeing as it has to set up Olaf’s Marvelous Marriage scheme, put Sunny in danger and then get her out of it, actually show off the play and have the kids foil Olaf’s plan and introduce Jaqueline and Gustav, who seem to be working for a mysterious organization dedicated to helping the orphans. The fact that this episode pulled off all that and still managed to be wildly entertaining was a huge feat.
Olaf was much more sinister this week, unsurprising given that his plan involves- let’s not sugarcoat it- pedophilia. Not only is this dark stuff for a supposed kids show, but Neil Patrick Harris performs these scenes with the subtle and disturbing implication that Olaf is actually attracted to Violet, something that the book can’t hint at as much in description. It adds a more interesting and creepy layer to the show.
Speaking of layers, the Jacqueline/Gustav subplot further deepened the show’s overlapping mystery, with Gustav apparently working for Uncle Monty and Jacqueline stationed as Mr. Poe’s underpaid secretary. Whatever organization this is, they seem to have agents everywhere, which not only plays up a cool paranoia for the show- Viewers will be trying to figure out who’s an agent and who’s not- but hints that Olaf was or may be part of this organization, given the tunnel which he escapes in.
PS. Olaf can’t find the sugar bowl. Remember this for later.
“The Bad Beginning: Part Two” was a fantastic episode with tons of fun layers and excitement. Even fans who know the outcome of the story are finding new things here, which is a great way to reel them in.
