Smoke, Haze, and Fire: Episode 5 of Nautilus Reviewed

A Deep Dive into "Anguille Fumée" – The Smoky Episode of Nautilus

The title of this episode, "Anguille Fumée," holds a dual meaning. It can refer to a smoky environment or be interpreted as a French dish, specifically smoked eel. This unique title sets the tone for an episode that blends mystery, danger, and emotional tension.

For many viewers, this is one of the less favored episodes in the series. It begins with high energy, sharp dialogue, and action, but as the story unfolds with Archie the dog, the pace slows down significantly. Despite this, the episode still delivers compelling moments that keep the audience engaged.

Flashback to Humility's Past

The episode starts with a flashback that reveals more about Humility’s past. She is shown attending university in France, where she disguises herself as a man named Marchand. To complete the disguise, she even wears a fake mustache. This scene provides insight into her character and the challenges she has faced.

During the flashback, the role of Loti in Humility’s life becomes clearer. Loti is described by her as “a devil in a dress,” highlighting their complex relationship. Additionally, the audience learns about Humility’s mother, who arranged her marriage to Pitt. These details add depth to the characters and provide context for their motivations.

Present-Day Challenges

Back in the present, the Nautilus is in dire straits. A massive electric eel has wrapped itself around the ship’s hull, creating a terrifying situation. The eel’s enormous eye stares through the view window, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Captain Nemo wants to leave the ship again, but the entry and exit ports are sealed by the eel’s body.

Humility takes charge, using her knowledge and calculations from her time at university. She devises a plan to shock the eel with more electricity, despite the risks involved. Nemo, ever the leader, orders the operation to proceed.

Archie’s Role and the Spore Threat

Archie, the dog, plays a pivotal role in the episode. He picks up a filament spore from the previous island, which affects him and spreads into the air when he shakes. As the crew works to apply more electric charge, they become infected by the spores.

Blaster discovers crates containing blasting materials, which could be crucial in their efforts to survive. However, the initial charge doesn’t work, and the eel seems to enjoy the jolt. Humility lies to the crew to convince them to increase the voltage, which ultimately works but causes chaos on the ship.

Escalating Tension

As the Nautilus slowly descends, the eel prepares to shock them again. Benoit and Nemo confront Humility about her deception, leading to arguments among the crew. Meanwhile, the spores take their toll, making the crew lethargic and disconnected. Many begin to hallucinate, adding to the already tense situation.

The eel suddenly releases the Nautilus, revealing a red glow that signals the ship is heading toward the ring of fire, a volcanic area at the bottom of the sea. The crew struggles to pull away as the heat level rises, all while dealing with the effects of the spores.

Explosive Dangers and Final Efforts

Blaster reports that the explosive material he found is made of cotton soaked in nitroglycerin. It begins to smoke, and Kai helps move the unstable explosives to a cooler area. In the Dreadnought, Millais visits Jagadish’s cell, discussing their experiences with Nemo before informing him that he will pay the price for Nemo’s recklessness.

Humility eventually breaks through her lethargy, racing through the ship to find anyone not incapacitated. She finds Kai, but he succumbs to the infection, leaving her to save everyone alone.

A Desperate Rescue

Halfway out of her mind, Humility dons a diving suit and ventures outside the ship. She fights against her hallucinations to free the jam preventing the Nautilus from maneuvering. On her way back inside, she loses her grip, and the episode ends with her floating freely while the Nautilus drifts away.

Additional Episodes and Updates

Other episodes in the series include:

• Episode 1, "Anahata"
• Episode 2, "Tick Tick Boom"
• Episode 3, "What Lies Beneath"
• Episode 4, "Slippery When Wet"

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