The most entertaining episode, brimming with action, concluded the Riverside siege, glad that Shade got killed by his own people, and liked the entire episode. The parts with Micah, along with any appearance of IxKaab are my favorite scenes in the episode.

Thanks to Serial Box, for the review copy.

The Bridge exceeded ever expectation I had, made me turn bright red and forget to breathe for several seconds, and has ruined honey for me in the best way possible. Thank you Karen Lord for my favorite episode of season three so far. I haven’t freaked out over a piece of writing like this in a long time.

(Spoilers ahead)

In the opening of this chapter, Rafe meets up with Florian, Micah, and some other university students. One of which is Joshua, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite side characters. Joshua takes it upon himself to go to Tremontaine to make sure Micah is happy there.

Tess and the ladies of Riverside form a plan to end the siege of Riverside. They give Shade a choice, turn himself over to the City Watch or turn over Florian. Like I said in my last review, I like seeing more of Tess and seeing her character develop. I liked how in this chapter, her story moves beyond Kaab and Reza to be about her and Riverside.

Kaab makes a discovery while cleaning out her late aunt’s things- which definitely looks like it’s going to be one of her main arcs of the season. I’m excited to see how Kaab’s new role within her family and how this new mystery pans out.

Of course, I’ve saved the best for last. If you want a nice, neat, professional review stop reading right here because oh mY GOSH DIANE AND ESHA FINALLY WENT BEYOND SUBTLE FLIRTING AND WENT ALL THE WAY. HOME RUN. DID THE DEED. GOT IT ON. (I’m out of dorky euphemisms)

I’ve been hoping that Diane and Esha become a couple ever since they met in season two (and been generally Team Give-Diane-A-Girlfriend since like the pilot??) so this episode was squee inducing.

They’re well matched, personality wise. Both clever and cunning, they seem to understand each other in a way few people do.

I think my favorite moment was when Diane suddenly suggests that she become Esha’s new client and, when Esha turns her down, thinks that that means Esha doesn’t want her. Oh little miscommunications, how you make my heart go wild. Esha is quick to assume that she does indeed want Diane as well and it continues to get better from there.

PICK

This serial! We're back into academia with Karen Lord's first ep, and damn does it ever feel good. I'm right there for everything Rafe's working on, of course, but I'm even happier to see him and Micah reconnect with Joshua--who's keen to look out for both of them, and who takes Micah at her word when she says she can handle herself.

There are such GOOD relationships here!

Speaking of which: Diane and Esha get it on and ooooh. OOOOOH.

I'm also beyond thrilled with our look at Riverside justice, and with the hints of a murder mystery to come. Bring it on.

Karen Lord joins the Tremontaine writing team with a bang with an episode that pretty much encapsulates everything Tremontaine is about: science, sex, violence and politics. All it was missing was a swordfight, but there's enough bodily fluids on the ground that I didn't notice until now.

Welcome on board, Karen Lord: you've knocked it out of the park.

Now excuse me, this episode was so steamy I need a little sit down.

Thoroughly enjoyed this third episode, especially a certain resolution. Karen Lord writes such vivid, graceful prose, and yet she manages to weave this episode into the Tremontaine voice.

It's an episode all about the women, or mostly. The duchess visits the mysterious and beguiling Escha . . . Kaab, newly grief-stricken, makes two discoveries that mean trouble, and the Riverside women decide to act.

So far, I'm liking this season best of all. If it doesn't turn into all tragedy all the time, it might well be my fave.

The plot is moving faster than I expected, I had assumed that the Shade plot and siege would last longer than it did, but I guess that's gonna be transferred to Florian.

I will write a review of the whole series when it is completed.