English Dub Review: The Witch and the Beast “Beauty and Death: Opening Act”

As the undead start to roam the city in droves, we switch perspectives from Guideau and Ashaf to a new duo: Phanora and Johan. The former being a specialist in necromancy. They team up with a detective who is currently coping with the loss of a loved one.

Can’t say I was expecting a POV shift this early into the series. I can’t say if I’m entirely for it either. While you can get the gist of Guideau and Ashaf’s relationship early on, moving away from them only in episode 4 doesn’t feel like the right move. Our new duo doesn’t have that same snappy back and forth Guideau and Ashaf had– it’s more of a master and servant relationship instead– and it’s certainly not as fun to watch. The nature of the episode plays apart in that too.

Fair to say that the “Opening Acts” are just set up and the next episode will be the pay off. This results in the majority of the episode having Phanora explain the mechanics of necromancy and all the various different moral dilemmas that come with it. Sounds more engaging on paper than in the actual episode though. Due to the lack of chemistry between her and Yohan the episode just ends up feeling like a bit of a drag. 

The topic of necromancy and the consequences that come with it should be a more emotionally charged subject than it actually is. They team up with a detective who despises the idea, despite him struggling with his own grief from losing a loved one. Of course we’ll see the resolution to that in the next episode, but currently it feels like something we breeze over rather quickly. I would’ve liked that to have more focus; since dealing with those questions are infinitely more interesting than a character explaining it to you.

I’m a little worried if this is going to be the formula for the next couple of episodes. I’m sure we’ll get back to our dynamic duo once this is all over– but I sure hope we’re not going to be stuck in this loop of an “Opening Act” and “Final Act”. I’m fine with witch of the week stuff only if the routine in question is varied and compelling. So far, I’m not seeing this with these past few episodes. Here’s to hoping the payoff next ep blows me away.