A look at the final days of the Knights Templar during the 14th century.
Season Two of “Knightfall” continues its probe of the inner workings of the Knights Templar, the powerful, wealthy and mysterious military order from Europe’s Middle Ages. Politics and warfare imbue each episode as the order rises and falls amidst the ongoing tug-of-war between church and state. Power, redemption, revenge, and betrayal are on full display in the clandestine world of this legendary brotherhood of warrior monks.
Tom Cullen returns as Landry du Lauzon, veteran of the Crusades, now a disgraced knight because of his adulterous affair resulting in a child, one of many subplots that drive the overall of the narrative. Cullen carries the production solidly, particularly as he goes through the painful process of redemption for his previous transgressions.
Mark Hamill appears in five episodes as Master Talus – a gruffer and perhaps even wiser version of Master Luke Skywalker – the warrior trainer for the knights. Hamill adds gravitas to the production, well suited as he seems for the role.
When Pope Boniface VIII (Jim Carter) dies, the knights suspect foul play by King Phillip (Ed Stoppard). After Archbishop Raymond DeGoth (Stephen Fewell) becomes Pope Clement V, his duplicity threatens the order of knights. Julian Ovenden as William De Nogaret, Pádraic Delaney as Gawain, and Simon Marrells as Tancrede all return for the full second season. Of particular note is Matthew Marsh, who stands out as Jacques De Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar.
The plethora of characters and political machinations should have made the proceedings livelier. Instead and somewhat inexplicably, many of the scenes just fall flat. In my review of Season One, I compared “Knightfall” favorably with Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven.” Unfortunately, in this sophomore outing, the action, in terms of production design – never the series’ strong suit anyway – pales in comparison to big-screen counterparts such as “Kingdom” even as it appears to try to rival them. However, the greatest disappointment results from the political intrigue that falters as well, typically leaving the characters to scowl and pout unremittingly. In essence, everyone simply takes themselves so seriously that the extended tale grows tiresome, too often devolving into yet another predictably boring swordfight. Gone is the wry, witty humor that made Season One such a delight.
At the end of the day, “Knightfall: Season Two” provides an adequate but largely unremarkable follow-up to the highly entertaining Season One. Devotees of the chronicles of the Knights Templar may find enough to satisfy, but the plodding plot ultimately fails to deliver on its potential.
Now available on DVD
