On Tor.com today, I break down Brotherhood, the first of the back seven episodes that NBC is burning off.

There were some absolutely gorgeous moments this episode. They are really not messing around with the cinematography, or the score, both of which were movie-quality. Plus, I’m a total sucker for some symbolism. MORE CANDLES.

However, it seems like in the backlash of the “too little happening” complaints in the first few episodes, they’re now offering single-episode plot arcs, which is fine if you want to rid your city of a plague in twelve hours, but a little underinflated when you’re trying to establish the terror of a traitor within the King’s own circle.

The good news is that David and the king’s son are finally, FINALLY not at polar opposites any more, and while I have no illusions about Jack’s ability to fuck up almost anything he touches, at least his psychotic ADD attempts at obsessiveness are pointing in a Biblical direction, if you get me, and I think you do.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this should have been on HBO. It has no place on a major network, which NBC figured out about three episodes too late.

Cast notes.

1. Uh, Thomasina? You out sick? Thomasina?

2. Oh, Wed Studi.