Warning: Fullfor the episode follow...

Penny Dreadful's Season 2 finale, "And They Were Enemies," wrapped up the Evelyn Poole/witch storyline in bloody, blusterous fashion while also successfully spinning out the series somewhat, creating a curious set up for Season 3. Something done better here than back in the Season 1 finale, which also had most of its carnage in the first half and then spent the remaining time showing us our heroes reeling and recoiling in the aftermath.

Penny Dreadful Creator Talks Season 2 Finale and Season 3

Here though, the stakes were much larger. And while Ethan may have done some good with his wolf form - like slash Evelyn Poole across her throat (with the assist from Hecate) - the bad he'd done was too much for him to bear. So while Vanessa came to accept her dreary inner darkness, Ethan crumbled under his sins and handed himself over to the authorities. Right on the cusp of them becoming a full couple. In torturous true-to-TV fashion, their stars just never aligned. When he was ready, she stumbled. Now that she's ready, he's trying to fit himself for a noose ("There's no walking away from what I am"). Overall though, I'm fine with them not being a couple. Especially now that Vanessa was specifically tempted by the Devil via a "dream life" with Ethan.The actual showdown with Satan was pretty damn exciting. I'm not sure exactly how the doll fit into the equation (Evelyn was building it all season specifically to act as a mouthpiece for Lucifer?) but the visual (and the use of Eva Green's own voice) was very effective. Besides, it was either that or get into shaky CGI and a potentially distracting demon voice. Giving the Devil an actual form is a risky venture on a show that holds so much back like Penny Dreadful, so I'm glad he got funneled through something. And we all think dolls are horrible anyhow, so may as well use them to their full potential. Plus, it keeps with the show's theme of only ever really hearing Satan through some form of Vanessa.So, in the end, Vanessa just proved herself to be more powerful than anyone expected. More resolute in will. Again, I'm not going to pretend like I knew what was going on during the dueling "Verbis Diablo" chants, but it all came across as super riveting. It reminded me of when Indy just sort of out-chanted Mola Ram on the hanging broken bridge at the end of Temple of Doom. Though, at least there was a bit of a precedent here as Vanessa had chanted that language at witches a couple of times earlier in the season in order to chase them away.John Clare murdering the Putneys came about almost as expected. Though it was still shockingly satisfying to watch as it came very suddenly after Mr. Putney's long speech about John becoming the in-house, on-the-payroll attraction who would help the other freaks with their "transition into servitude." And while some may have wanted John to break one more neck, Lavinia being spared while her parents were killed felt like a proper punishment considering that, as a blind girl in Victorian London, she'd almost now be guaranteed a life of mistreatment and eventual poverty.Anyhow, the Putneys' awfulness was enough to send John off to the ends of the Earth. To somewhere remote and icy. In fact, three major characters left the country. And in such a manner than we maybe can assume we'll be following many different stories come Season 3. Sir Malcolm's off to Africa (a notable journey considering the adventuring trip he was planning in Season 1 that no one thought he'd actually take), Ethan's in a cage headed to the States, and John's off somewhere in the arctic. Victor's gone "bye bye" too, but in a different way.Yes, after realizing that Lily had been playing him for a fool the entire time (Was it truly the entire time? Perhaps a re-watch is in order to see if hints are apparent) and was now locked inside some sort of horrific "power couple" bond with Dorian, he took to the needle for self-medication. It's interesting to think how Victor, essentially, faced down one who was immortal due to his science and one who was immortal due to other mystical means. The side of the coin Victor doesn't usually think about too often (though now I'd assume he has a newfound appreciation for after almost being driven to kill himself in Evelyn's lair).Penny Dreadful is very good at balancing its demented moments with pointedly emotional ones. I really liked how the season sort of ended with Vanessa and John - two characters who may never even cross paths again. Her quiet scenes with him down underground helped anchor these past 10 episodes. And the moment when John was brought to tears after Vanessa told him he was the most human man she'd ever known was fantastic. Punched up even more by the fact that he was essentially bidding farewell to her (and mankind). And speaking of farewells, Vanessa's burning of her trusty crucifix was a big moment for the show, seemingly an indication of how she now feels abandoned on all fronts.