Season one of Penny Dreadful was a well-received first season with the show being nominated for Golden Globe. This Gothic series builds itself upon classic Gothic tales such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Bram Stoker's Dracula, while also incorporating historical dangers to Victorian London, like Jack The Ripper.
This dramatic Gothic horror series stars Eva Green, Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett, and the series has since spurred a spin-off titled Penny Dreadful: City of Angels. From a 7.8 rating to a 9.0, and macabre monstrosities to eerie settings, here is the season one ranking of Penny Dreadful, according to IMDb.
Episode Four: Demimonde (IMDb Score: 7.8)
The episode, "Demimonde" is the fourth episode in season one. Episode four features the entrance of Van Helsing as he is hired to aid Doctor Frankenstein.
As the sparks grow between Vanessa and Dorian Gray, audiences must decide whether this spark is carnal or emotional and if this attraction is more of an obsession.
Episode Three: Resurrection (IMDb Score: 8.0)
The episode "Resurrection" is the third episode in season one. It centers on a strange experience in a zoo for the group of supernatural hunters, where they capture one of the lower vampires on the totem pole in hopes of finding answers regarding the leader. There is particular focus on gathering information to help locate the missing person that the trio is tasked with finding.
Doctor Frankenstein also has a strange encounter with his past and he must learn how to navigate the new information while also mourning the loss of his dear creation.
Episode One: Night Work (IMDb Score: 8.1)
The episode, "Night Work" is the premiere episode in season one, and it sets the era for the show, which takes place in Victorian London after Eva Green's Vanessa Ives makes the acquaintance with Doctor Frankenstein (played by Harry Treadaway) and an American sharpshooter in Buffalo Bill's troop named Ethan Chandler, played by Josh Harnett.
Vanessa introduced Ethan to the supernatural dangers that lurked in the alleys of London in the hopes he will help her find someone she's lost. Vampires run amok in the night, and the trio works to not only find a missing person, but also learn more of the ways of the ancient creatures.
Episode Six: What Death Can Join Together (IMDb Score: 8.2)
The episode "What Death Can Join Together" is the sixth episode in season one. With Malcolm and Ethan on the quest to find Mina, Doctor Frankenstein continues to have issues with his creation, who is simply looking for a bride.
However, in his idle impatience, the creation slays Van Helsing and the doctor who created him has to reset his priorities. The compulsive, seductive nature of Dorian Grey shines in this episode, as he attempts to seduce Vanessa.
Episode Two: Seance (IMDb Score: 8.4)
The episode, "Seance" is the second episode in season one. There are supernatural entities at work in this episode. When the group gets together, Vanessa seemingly gets possessed in the middle of a Victorian supernatural seance. There are also subtle flames sparking between Dorian Gray and Vanessa in this eerie, yet social, setting.
Episode Eight: Grant Guignol (IMDb Score: 8.6)
The eighth episode, "Grand Guignol", is the final episode in season one. The whole pursuit to find Mina is wrapped up in this episode which leaves a climactic end to season one, and with that, audiences can assume there will be other season-long quests in store for the following two seasons.
This season finale has audiences awestruck by the amount twists and turns that the show's creators can throw in one season.
Episode Five: Closer Than Sisters (IMDb Score: 8.7)
The episode "Closer Than Sisters" is the fifth episode in season one. This episode is predominately a flashback where Vanessa recollects the events that lead up her sister's disappearance.
She works to come to terms with such events but struggles with other things. This is an interesting episode because it is exceedingly illuminating to the inner dynamics of Vanessa and Mina leading up to the disappearance. It is safe to say there was some turbulence between the two sisters leading up to these events.
Episode Seven: Possession (IMDb Score: 9.0)
The episode, "Possession" is the seventh episode in season one. Not only does the seventh episode of season one have the highest ranking of the season, but it is also one of the highest-ranking episodes throughout the three seasons of Penny Dreadful.
This episode gave valuable insight into the backstories of the main characters, but most heavily focuses on Vanessa, with Eva Green's performance hauntingly accomplished. Audiences could even be scarred by the devotion Eva Green had to her role in this episode and left wondering if she truly is possessed.