The essential episodes of Penny Dreadful

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Penny Dreadful — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · May 11, 2014 · 1h

    Night Work7.0

    Monsters and demons haunt Victorian London. In the opener, police investigate a series of gruesome deaths but renowned explorer Sir Malcolm Murray and the alluring Vanessa Ives know there is something darker at play than mere murder. They recruit an American sharpshooter and Dr. Victor Frankenstein to help them find someone close to them.

  2. 02

    S01E05 · Season 1 peak · June 8, 2014 · 1h

    Closer than Sisters7.1

    Vanessa recalls her past and the events that led to Mina's disappearance.

  3. 03

    S01E07 · Top rated · June 22, 2014 · 1h

    Possession7.1

    Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene do everything possible in an effort to save Vanessa.

  4. 04

    S02E03 · Top rated · May 17, 2015 · 1h

    The Nightcomers7.3

    In a flashback, Vanessa meets the Cut-Wife who teaches her how to harness her powers, and warns her of the danger that lies ahead and the evil that pursues her.

  5. 05

    S02E04 · Top rated · May 24, 2015 · 1h

    Evil Spirits in Heavenly Places7.1

    Lyle reveals that the Verbis Diablo relics tell a very dark and disturbing story that affects Vanessa; Rusk interviews the survivor of the attack at the Mariner's Inn; Hecate tries to get closer to Ethan; Angelique and Dorian's romance grows. Back at Sir Malcolm's mansion, Vanessa, Ethan, Sir Malcolm, Sembene and Lyle carry on their evening as something evil lurks within, ready to strike.

  6. 06

    S02E05 · Top rated · May 31, 2015 · 1h

    Above the Vaulted Sky7.2

    Hecate returns to her mother with a gift; Evelyn works on a new totem; the mansion is attacked; the Creature grows impatient with Frankenstein; Rusk interrogates Ethan; Vanessa and the Creature's friendship deepens; Angelique is humiliated while out with Dorian.

  7. 07

    S02E08 · Season 2 peak · June 21, 2015 · 1h

    Memento Mori7.7

    The Creature unleashes his rage over Lily on Frankenstein. Inspector Rusk discovers a connection to Ethan Chandler. Sir Malcolm goes to confront Evelyn - but quickly finds himself assaulted by another one of her deadly enchantments.

  8. 08

    S02E09 · Top rated · June 28, 2015 · 1h

    And Hell Itself My Only Foe7.5

    Vanessa and Ethan learn that Sir Malcolm is in danger. Desperate to save him, Vanessa goes alone to battle Evelyn, while Ethan, Frankenstein, Sembene and Lyle head to Evelyn's mansion. Plus, Lily reveals her true self to Dorian.

  9. 09

    S02E10 · Top rated · July 5, 2015 · 1h

    And They Were Enemies7.3

    Season 2 ends with Vanessa relying on her strength to defeat the demon.

  10. 10

    S03E01 · Season 3 peak · May 1, 2016 · 1h

    The Day Tennyson Died7.5

    On Ferdinand's advice, Vanessa goes to see an alienist, Dr. Seward. Meanwhile, Ethan receives a reprieve from death while Malcolm receives a visitor. Elsewhere, Caliban begins his journey back to England while Victor seeks out an old friend for help dealing with Lily.

  11. 11

    S03E03 · Top rated · May 15, 2016 · 1h

    Good and Evil Braided Be7.3

    The Master's familiar approaches Vanessa and tells her that she has met the Master once before at the Banning Clinic. Meanwhile, Malcolm and Kaetenay arrive in the U.S. to hunt Ethan, who is traveling with Hecate. In London, Caliban finds the wife and child of his former life, while Lily and Dorian recruit their first soldier.

  12. 12

    S03E04 · Top rated · May 22, 2016 · 1h

    A Blade of Grass7.4

    Using hypnosis, Vanessa discovers what really happened to her during her time at the Banning Institute.

  13. 13

    S03E07 · Top rated · June 12, 2016 · 1h

    Ebb Tide7.2

    Kaetenay returns to London with Ethan and Malcolm to prevent the darkness that he has foreseen. Meanwhile, Vanessa realizes who Sweet really is, while Caliban is reunited with his family. Elsewhere, Dorian grows bored with Lily's revolution and makes his own plans.

  14. 14

    S03E08 · Top rated · June 19, 2016 · 1h

    Perpetual Night7.3

    Malcolm, Ethan, and Kaetenay arrive in London and discover the city shrouded in a lethal fog. While they hunt for Vanessa and find several valuable allies, Victor considers what to do with Lily. Meanwhile, Justine makes her choice, and Sweet confronts Ethan.

  15. 15

    S03E09 · Series finale · June 19, 2016 · 1h

    The Blessed Dark7.4

    To save the world from darkness, Malcolm and his allies must confront Dracula at the heart of his power... and make a terrible choice.

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