Humans nearly eliminated the Taltos out of existence. These mystical figures gave humanity the grace of prosperity. They weren't respected in return. And now, the Scottish Mayfairs are trying their best to ignite this passion and protection once more. That's the true purpose for Lasher. He is driven solely by his desire to have sex and procreate. The Mayfair women in New Orleans died because they weren't worthy of his physical form. He believes he needs Rowan. She provides safety and comfort. Everyone else tells him he is finally home. He's exactly where he needs to be. A grand plan has been executed on his behalf. It was set into motion generations ago. He simply has a role to fill. He can't overpower his basic urges. He can only drench his incredible thirst with milk. He's powerless to stop himself from taking the only other Taltos still in existence: Emaleth. He receives an image of her in all her glory. And yes, it's an absolutely stunning visual. But again, it's not offering much character complexity. It's simply states how these characters all have a core basic principle. They will act in accordance with that. The only complications they face are driven by plot. It's not them leading the action. Instead, they are catching up to the danger that surrounds them.
Rowan, Moira, Lark and Cortland arrive in Scotland. They only want a vile of Lasher's blood. That's all they need to restore what the family has built in New Orleans. They don't aspire for more than that. They grew comfortable. And now, they are in distress because their lives are crumbling around them. That's physically happening too. Their houses are falling apart because magic was the only thing holding them together. Julien saw a much larger picture. One that had the potential to honor the glory of what used to exist in this world. He sought to look beyond himself to see it. Everyone else is driven by their own personal desires. Rowan grew comfortable with her powers. She was caught in a cycle of manipulation. She couldn't make any choice for herself. Even when she wields power, she has to compromise herself in order to actually accomplish anything. That still results in people willfully deceiving her. She remains at the center of the action though. Everything culminates in Scotland. They can't leave whether they want to or not. Ian believes they are lying to themselves and others about what they truly want. In reality, they have just been left in the dark all this time. That too was a decision Julien made in forming this family and dividing them into two.
Apparently, Moira discovers something. That results in her going missing. Rowan notices. She reaches out for help. She wants to protect her cousin. Everyone refuses to give her answers. She has true intentions in connecting with people. She will also do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals. She sought out answers. She can't shy away from them when they are presented. Of course, that still requires the show to be forthright with everything that's happening. Otherwise, it's just frustratingly going around in circles. Sip doesn't like that he was only ever given parts of the story. He demands the truth. He was sent to Amsterdam to be judged. He was potentially going to pay for Albrecht's deception. Suddenly, that is just cast aside with no explanation whatsoever. He is suppose to go along with it. The Talamasca needs his help. The mission is too important. He demands to be treated with respect. Until he receives that, he will not do anything for the organization he once thought rescued him. Of course, that too is a story that just drops off at a certain point. The show is aware of its characters. However, it has a tendency to treat them as tangential things. They may be important at some point. Right now though, it's just busy work. It keeps them involved despite Sip being in a completely different country.
The Scottish Mayfairs are ruthless. They cast protection spells that actually work. The idea of sacrifice for the entire family has been drilled into them. That same mentality was present in New Orleans. However, that largely just amounted to everyone being in the dark about what Lasher was truly like. They honored the designee. They were jealous of Rowan. They appeased her to an extent. But now, they only have complaints about what has gone wrong. They blame her. In Scotland, Bonnie carries the physical burden of any intimidation. Rowan wants to flex her powers. It doesn't work because she is actually threatening the life of a child. It's a sick and twisted way to exert power. A child exists as a human shield. Ian is incredibly cruel and intimidating to his family. He talks a lot like Cortland. Yet he operates from a position of strength. Cortland is trying to read his brother. He wants to know what he knows. Everyone is just bad at trying to get information from these relatives who were purposefully kept away. Even when Rowan believes she has forged a connection with the outcast, she is proven wrong. Again, nothing can prevent the glory of what they have been waiting to achieve. These newcomers aren't bothersome at all. They can be handled. It's relatively easy to do so. It's not exactly impressive. And so, it doesn't feel like everything is escalating in an exciting or tense way. It's just the latest complication on a journey where characters vie for power for the sheer sake of it.
