Renegade Nell 1×06 “Snatched by Strollers” is all about preconceived notions. Because there will always be people who think they know who you are or how things work in this world without having adequate evidence. Sometimes it’s because they’ve heard about it in rag sheets like everything that’s been written about Nell. And other times it will be kids who never grew out of the notions their parents taught them about the friend that grew up with them like what happened between Sofia and Rasselas. And just like it’s up to us to examine notions and shatter through them, I feel like the characters in this episode have decided that enough is enough and that they’re going to speak their peace. And I admire that.
First up with these preconceived notions is Nell. She has a reputation now as a highwaywoman thanks to the rag sheets doing the rounds via Euleria and her printing press. Because of that, the roaming troop kidnaps George. They knew that they could get Nell to come and rescue her. And when that happened, they hoped to destroy Nell and then become more infamous for killing her. But as we learn on the daily, you can’t believe everything that you read because people are way more complicated than you might think or some people might just be going after a quick buck and are willing to lie about others. And that’s why Nell survived. Because everyone has a notion of who she is and what she’s capable of. They know nothing.
Then there’s Rasselas. His conversation with Sofia felt like a watershed moment for him as a character. He’s not the sidekick or the helpful henchman to everything that Nell is going through. He’s his own person and when he had an opportunity to speak with Sofia he didn’t hold back. And I think it was very cathartic for him because the family he grew up with never truly saw him or what his existence meant. The actor Enyi Okoromkwo only had a couple minutes with Sofia’s character, but in those minutes he was able to convey his character’s pain, anger, and sorrow at not being seen but also what he had lost by never truly knowing himself and those around him not understanding that. Everything this character does from this moment forward on Renegade Nell will be his choice. And I’ll be there watching.
Nell and Rasselas aren’t the only ones with preconceived notions in “Snatched by Strollers.” There’s also Polly Honeycombe. From the first moment I saw her, there was something romantic and sweet about her. She’s a dreamer. Even when she told Nell that they weren’t tied up, and she pretended to be tied up, I was sold. So color me surprised when Renegade Nell 1×06 brought her back and gave us another that somehow fits with the cast of characters we’ve loved for five episodes so far. And can we talk about that kiss?! I know this show is not done by Disney, because we know how they tiptoe around LGBTQ+ characters. This was for Polly. She was living her romantic dream with Nell looking all rugged and powerful. And in that moment, she understood her own preconceived notions about who know was. Earlier on she did also look at the notions she had about life, love, and family when she was snatched. Where she is now, it’s an opportunity to do something different to stand out. And hopefully, she stays.
And for the last bit of notions that we have, there is Thomas. Kudos to the show for making me hate someone so thoroughly but also have sympathy for him. Because he is a louse and a murderer. But he is also someone who is being preyed upon by someone more powerful who has an end game that we don’t know about. The whole thing with the snake necklace does remind me of my Vampire Diaries days. On that show you would switch off your humanity to be able to live through the pain of what you have done or has been done to you. In Renegade Nell 1×06, Thomas did the same thing. He accepted feeling nothing because he couldn’t fathom the fact that he killed his father. I do wish that he felt guilt for killing Nell’s dad though. But I guess humans are complex and don’t end up doing what you want them to do most of the time.
Altogether, I really enjoyed Renegade Nell 1×06 for how it made the characters examine who they are and how others see them. But most importantly, how they can move through this world despite the notions others have of them. I also really enjoyed how the show made me think a little bit more deeply about what some of these characters have been through and the intersectionality of some of their experiences. Because there is no black and white, most of the time. There are shades of grey and we all have to make our own decision on what we accept or don’t. Nell has accepted that she is the hero of this story and I’m really concerned at what the Earl of Poynton is planning for not just the throne, but the world. Because there’s no way that man possesses supernatural powers and is just directing it at England. He’s searching for a higher power. And good thing that Nell will be there to stop him.
Renegade Nell season 1 is available now on Disney+.
Before you go, please check out my reviews for 1×01, 1×02, 1×03, 1×04, and 1×05.