The Luminaries Season 1 Episode 2 The Place You Return

Based on the novel of the same name by Eleanor Catton, The Luminaries is a period drama set in the goldfields of New Zealand. Season 1 delves into a murder mystery that unravels across the course of six episodes. In episode 2, titled "The Place You Return," we continue to follow protagonist Anna Wetherell (Eve Hewson) as she navigates the complex web of deceit and intrigue surrounding her.

As the episode begins, Anna finds herself in dire straits. She's been accused of stealing from Emery Staines (Himesh Patel), the man she's fallen desperately in love with. Anna maintains her innocence, but she's swiftly arrested and thrown into jail. Meanwhile, Emery is still missing, and no one knows what's become of him.

While Anna languishes in her cell, we're introduced to a new character: Lydia Wells (Eva Green). Lydia is running her own brothel in Hokitika, and she's quickly established herself as a shrewd businesswoman who doesn't suffer fools lightly. Lydia takes a fascination with Anna's case and starts to investigate the crime for herself. It quickly becomes clear that Lydia has secrets of her own, and she's not afraid to use her connections and cunning to get what she wants.

As Lydia delves deeper into the mystery, we also get glimpses into the lives of some of the other key players in this drama. There's Francis Carver (Marton Csokas), a wealthy man who's returned to New Zealand after years spent abroad. He's got his own agenda, and it's not entirely clear what he wants. We also meet Crosbie Wells (Ewen Leslie), a local man who seems to know more than he's letting on about Emery's disappearance.

As the episode progresses, we start to see more of the intricate connections between these characters. Everyone seems to be playing a game, and no one can be trusted. Anna is determined to clear her name and find out what really happened to Emery, but it's an uphill battle. The odds are stacked against her, and the deeper she digs, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

"The Place You Return" is a tense and engaging episode that keeps the momentum of the series going. The period setting is beautifully rendered, and the cast is top-notch. Eva Green steals the show as the calculating Lydia, and Eve Hewson continues to impress as Anna. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that there are still plenty of surprises in store for viewers of The Luminaries.