In this week’s episode of The Librarians (and the Hollow Men) the team get some assistance from the original Librarian Flynn Carson (Noah Wyle) as they attempt to track down the Eye of Zarathustra which is the latest artifact to disappear from the library. On top of the building’s rooms and contents moving about, things are going missing. While Prospero is a “presence” in the episode, it is only his “minion” Professor Moriarty (South African actor David S. Lee) who interacts with the librarians.
The entire team, including Flynn, are put to sleep, with Pan’s Pipes, another missing artifact from the facility, and the head Librarian is “kidnapped” by a mysterious “stalker-y” bearded man (played by Gotham actor Drew Powell). Colonel Baird (Rebecca Romijn) teams up with Moriarty to save Flynn from the bearded menace.
Powell’s character turns out to be “Ray” the physical incarnation of the library. The “man” counts Flynn as his best friend and Moriarty, somewhat surprisingly, sacrifices himself to save Ray and the Library. By the end of the episode, the Library is reunited with Ray, Eve Baird puts some distance between her and Flynn and Moriarty has revealed a surprising depth of character.
The new librarians have to take a back seat in the story as the episode deals with the increasing “attraction” between Moriarty and Baird and on Wyle’s return as Flynn. Drew Powell proves that he has a deft touch when it comes to acting outside his Butch Gilzean comfort zone. This actor is a delight to watch as the pathos filled character who turns out to not be human, or a demigod or even a fictional character but a physical incarnation of the fantastical building.
John Harlan Kim, as Ezekiel Jones is becoming the constant “comic relief” and the group dynamic between the three new librarians has solidified into a great routine of give and take. Kane’s character continues to grow, as does Booth’s Cassandra. The comedy is clear and precise and well written.
The Librarians and the Hollow Men also continues its Indiana Jones theme and the series has thus far given the character of Professor Moriarty a Hans Zimmer tin-panny piano riff of Discombobulate from the 2009 Guy Richie Sherlock Holmes theme. These touches are clever and appreciated equally by the film buff and fans of fantasy television a’la Dr Who.
It will be interesting to note whether Moriarty’s wooing of Baird will actually pay off for the arch villain. Certainly the Dionysian version of Holmes attracts the female of the species almost without effort. As Eve says to Cillian:
“Cassandra, please do not fangirl over the arch villain.”
“Sorry…”
There a number of amusing moments, for instance, Jenkins warns that they are dealing with a “dangerous being” when speaking of Ray (who has kidnapped Flynn). The camera dissolves to Ray comically, and noisily, slurping a milkshake as he listen’s to his victim, Carson.
Romijn shows, once again, that she can handle the physical rigors of fighting off the baddies and Christian Kane proves that he can deliver broader strokes of the comedic brush. (His “country boy” scene is good for a giggle or two, as is his follow up with the spear.)
John Larroquette has been relegated to straight-man, which he does majestically. Face set in an eternal grimace of tired acceptance, his Jenkins carries the weight of centuries. After all, as the curator points out, he is “semi” immortal and the actor is able to portray this timelessness with his expression alone.
The Librarians continues to almost effortlessly entertain with storylines that can be enjoyed by all. TNT and its dedication to family entertainment have opted for a show that is a delight to follow by everyone. Tune in on Sundays and catch the comedic action.
And thank you for the kind words of praise and for sharing! Cheers! 🙂
Thanks for great recap and review! I am loving the show as well and so happy my favorite actor/singer Christian Kane can prove he is more than just the “muscle” on a show but gets to show his comedy chops as well.. ♥ Will be watching each and every episode and hoping for many more seasons of The Librarians to come!