Knights of God: Episode 11

 "Not toys now. Real."

There's a distinct feeling, and an odd one, as this often briliant and very '80s dark dystopian thriller draws to a close. In many ways it feels radical- yet the tools of revolution are the monarchy and the established church. We even have the Archbishop's seat of Canterbury as a Vatican-style independent state. It's decidedly odd, and small-c conservative, but the overall feel is not reactionary.

There are contrasts. Mordrin is losing his grip on reality, a Cromwell or Caesar who decides to take the crown, an act which coincides with the Knights, spurred by Hugo, turning against him. Meanwhile, Owen Edwards' rebels are proving both successful and hubristic... to the fury of Edwards himself, who stops the killing of prisoners and is full of self-doubt... a clearly intentional contrast to Mordrin.

Suddenly there are lots of things happening and nothing feels stable. Julia's unsuspecting father is to be sentenced to death. Hogo sends assassins after Julia and Gervase, who are about to be told by the archbishop where the king is until the assassins throw all into chaos. All the ryal stuff is a little neat, perhaps, but the plotting here is admirable.

I have no idea where this is going. But I'm impressed.