We finally got to the heart of Renegade Nell in 1×05 where Nell is starting to understand her purpose. In “Excuse Me, I’m a Doctor,” Nell went and dropped off Roxy and George at Uncle Jack’s. She was going to go to Devereux and get him out. When she got there, things didn’t turn out like she planned. Devereux was very happy to see her but he’s a chump, like Billy said. But like every moment that Nell has gone through, she needed to be in this prison. She needed to see the people that are suffering. Even Billy needed to see it. Because he’s limited himself and kind of kept his separation from these human problems. But Nell and Billy can’t ignore it anymore. People are hurting and they can do something about it. In “Excuse Me, I’m a Doctor,” they did.
Everything that Nell and her family have experienced has felt up to this point like a microcosm of events. She was accused of murder and her first priority is her family. But I feel like the writing in this episode, combined with Louisa Harland’s acting, blew this world wide open more than the mythological stuff that happened in 1×03. Nelly has become a legend. She isn’t just a highwaywoman or someone accused of murder. She’s an extraordinary symbol of hope for those who can’t defend themselves. And I came to this realization just as Nell did in 1×05. There’s a greater purpose for her. A purpose she never thought would happen and one we didn’t expect. But boy am I so committed and ready to see what someone like her will do with power.
The fact that Sofia is also coming into her power as Nell discovers her purpose, gives you a really great contrast of how different people use power. It’s magical and everything like that within the world of Renegade Nell. But it’s something that also happens in our world. Two vastly different people can take a singular power and wield it in completely different ways. One can heal and liberate like Nell’s powers with Billy do. And another can destroy like Sofia’s does. Renegade Nell makes it even more interesting by having them both be women who want to be listened to and who want to secure their family’s safety no matter what. They’re just going about it in completely different ways, one of them wanting to save people and the other one willing to destroy anyone to get their way.
Renegade Nell 1×05 also continued their winning streak of introducing new characters that I am completely invested in and want to see more of. We have heard of Uncle Jack in previous episodes, the writers leaving us little breadcrumbs and Devereaux giving warnings that it’s not a safe place to be. When we finally meet Uncle Jack and his family, we’re reminded of the pain and sorrow that Nell, Roxy, and George are still going through while running for their lives. He takes them in as well with no hesitation, proving that this whole family really steps up when they need to. His brother would be proud. And yeah, Devereux was right that there would be people to take advantage of knowing the connection between Nell and Uncle Jack. But Nell’s going to take care of it. I have no doubt.
Of course, Nell is going to take care of it after she gets back from her prison break. At first, it was for Devereaux because she thought that she owed him. But as we mentioned before, she needed to be there to help find her purpose with the ones less fortunate. But I wanted to circle back on this because Devereaux has me conflicted. On one hand, I do appreciate the levity which Frank Dillane brings to everything that is Devereaux. But he’s clearly not ready to be part of this family. And that’s okay. People take different times to get to the same spot. I want to give him grace. But I’m also annoyed at him for looking at Nelly like she hung the moon but not trusting enough in her to get him out of the sticky situation he was in. Sure, he knows Eularia longer. But I don’t see the connection between Devereux and Eularia with the same eyes that I see the one between Devereux and Nell. And I’m not even talking romantically. I’m talking found family.
As much as Nell came to understand her purpose in “Excuse Me, I’m a Doctor,” I really don’t know what’s going to happen next. Sofia came out with some crazy cool powers and made it difficult to escape the prison. But she made it out and now she doesn’t know where Rasselas is at and she’s soon going to discover that her sisters have been kidnapped. But if there’s one thing for certain after Renegade Nell 1×05, the legend of Nelly Jackson is just going to continue to grow and spread across England. Now even more so that she liberated the needy and faced off the people who would put them behind bars.
Renegade Nell season 1 is available now on Disney+.
Before you go, please check out my reviews for 1×01, 1×02, 1×03, and 1×04.
