The Ancient Magus’ Bride – Season 2 Episode 15 Recap & Review

Needs must when the devil drives. I

Episode 15 of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 begins with Alexandra congratulating Simeon on being discharged. Seth wishes he could leave the college for work purposes but can’t because it’s sealed. Meanwhile, the students struggle with studying for their exams next week and wish they could be doing something else. To make things fun, Violet St. George, one of the students, introduces a magic puzzle game for everyone to play to pass the time. 

Elias leads Simeon to his office and Elias tells him to let him know if he needs anything. Simeon says he’ll be alright thanks to Alexandra’s gift and the golems wandering around the school. Simeon brings up music, resulting in Elias pondering about Chise and her preferences as he notices her and the other students toying with Violet’s puzzle game. Veronica arrives with her friends and Philomela. Veronica suggests Philomela play the game even though she feels uncomfortable. 

Alcyone observes Philomela playing the game with her friends and recounts a memory she had with a young Philomela and Philomela’s mother and father. Elias notices Alcyone. The two discuss their similar and not-so-similar roles regarding Philomela and Chise. While playing with Rian, Philomela remembers a terrible conversation she had with her grandmother. Rian wins but violently scolds Philomela for holding back in the game. She tells him she’s not the same girl he knew in the past and to not have high expectations. 

Rian and Philomela leave, resulting in two separate groups chasing them down. Violet notices something wrong with Jasmine and comforts her. Isaac asks Rian what’s wrong and he’s upset that Philomela’s not as strong as she used to be. Isaac scolds Rian for thinking Philomela has to be a strong person and can’t show weakness. As for Philomela, she informs Chise about her past experiences with Rian. Chise knows her grandmother did something to ruin Philomela’s mindset. 

Philomela leaves troubled and Chise wishes she knew what would be the right advice to give her. Violet takes Jasmine to Alexandra’s office while the female werewolf begs Philomela’s grandmother to return her children to her. After abusing the female werewolf, Philomela’s grandmother promises to return her children to her. Elias and Chise discuss things for a bit until Violet intrudes. Violet says Jasmine might be out of commission for a bit.

He suggests they find another master if the two are serious about learning magic. Violet discusses ghosts with Chise and asks her if she’d like to do something fun. In her office, Alexandra ponders why she’s getting more patients than usual.

The episode closes with more patients showing up at her office. 

The Episode Review

Although not much happens in this week’s chapter of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season, we receive some interesting character-driven segments with Philomela, Alcyone, Rian, and other side characters. Although it’s great to receive some more screen time for some supporting cast members like Violet, Jasmine, and others, many people will appreciate delving into the individuals mentioned. 

For instance, it’s interesting to compare Philomela to the cheery girl she was before and to the broken individual she is currently. Her grandmother is certainly someone fans won’t find appealing in the slightest. From harboring the werewolf’s children to scolding Philomela during her childhood to the present, she has no redeemable qualities as of late and hopefully gets her comeuppance later. 

At the same time, this episode does a nice job of exploring Rian’s qualms with Philomela. Many people will appreciate Zoe’s advice to him as it’s not healthy to think of others in the way Rian views Philomela. The scene between Rian, Isaac, and Zoe had solid tension and gave these characters a nice spotlight. 

On top of the interesting conversation between Elias and Alycone, this episode had some stellar introspective bits. Nonetheless, it would be great if the series started focusing more on the magic book culprit. Hopefully, the story will pick up soon, otherwise, many folks may be tuning out earlier than they should.