Episode Title: “Ashes Denote That Fire Was”
Writer: Andrea Ciannavei
Director: Deborah Chow
Previously on “Copper:”
Episode 2.07 “The Hope Too Bright to Last”
After the dark turn of events that he’s faced, amazingly, Corky (Tom Weston-Jones) somehow holds it together at Ellen’s wake. Of course, a little alcohol always helps.
This episode slows things down a bit, as Five Points’ Irish come out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, while Corky mourns Ellen and Robert Morehouse (Kyle Schmid) readies himself for Kennedy’s execution. He and Elizabeth (Anastasia Griffith) seem to have worked through their problems and even Morehouse and his father manage to have a conversation without trying to kill each other. Oh, and by the way, Norbert’s gun wasn’t loaded when he had it pressed up against his son’s head, not that it matters.
We do get a brief moment of suspense in this otherwise quiet episode, when Kennedy escapes his cell on the eve of his execution. However, he doesn’t get far, choosing to sneak into Morehouse’s home and force himself on Elizabeth. She staves him off by fooling Kennedy into believing she’s willing to flee Five Points with him. Morehouse arrives shortly after and also plays along until the opium-laced drink Elizabeth gives Kennedy starts to kick in.
With Kennedy back in custody and headed to the gallows, Morehouse reminds Elizabeth that she too could have suffered a similar fate if not for his mercy. Though Elizabeth tells Morehouse she’s grateful to have found him, there’s still quite a bit of tension between these two and I’m not yet convinced Morehouse has truly forgiven Elizabeth. Especially after he opens up to her about the horrors of his war days.
Over at the Freeman’s, Sara’s mother, Hattie (Alfre Woodard) is still in the midst of big city culture shock while Matthew (Ato Essandoh) calls on Five Point’s younger officers to give blood to those in need at the tenement. Though his efforts are mostly unsuccessful, the doctor does manage to save some lives and is determined not to lose another patient like young Hazel Turner.
“Ashes Denote That Fire Was” is a rather somber follow up to the previous installment but it feels right that we spend the hour watching Corky mourn the woman he searched so long for. In the process, he says farewell to Annie Riley (Kiara Glasco), who stops by to pay her respects. She tells Corky what sounds like a tall tale about a “nice family” in New Jersey who’ve taken her in. Though Corky says he’d be happy to have her live with him, Annie heads off. Will it be just a matter of time before Corky has to rescue her, yet again? Whatever happens, Annie is one of “Copper’s” more interesting characters and hopefully we haven’t seen the last of her.
Also dropping in to say goodbye is Maguire (Kevin Ryan). The tension between he and Corky has been at varying levels since Maguire was reinstated as detective, but here the two men find common ground in their mourning. Maguire tells Corky that despite all the wrong he’s done, he’d still gladly die for him. Maguire’s intentions may not always be clear, but his love for both Ellen and Corky rings true, especially here. Like Corky, Maguire is a tormented soul, but unlike his best friend and partner, he lets that torment cloud his judgment.
And that’s exactly what General Donovan (Donal Logue) wants. He’s enlisted Maguire to do his bidding, which involves pouring kerosene on a rival contractor and threatening to set him on fire if he doesn’t withdraw his bid for the Croton Aqueduct. Donovan isn’t an outright villain like, say, the maniacal Philomen Keating. But he’s definitely greedy and corrupt and due to butt heads with Corky.
The hour concludes with Corky and Maguire burning Ellen’s body so that her ashes may be spread on Maggie’s grave. It marks the end of a long, heartbreaking journey for both men. These two have lost just about everyone they’ve ever cared about, except each other. Now, we wait and see if they can move on from their shared misery or will they (or Donovan) only use it to destroy each other?
