In the gripping seventh episode of "Bodies", Elias Mannix finds himself waking up in 1886 London, still recovering from his wounds. As he gathers his bearings, he seeks out Agatha Harker, making a bold claim to be her estranged son, Julian. While Agatha is initially wary, particularly given her dog Archie's adverse reaction to Elias, she gradually starts to buy into his story. Elias eventually admits his deceit, but with a promise to aid Agatha both financially and emotionally.
Simultaneously, Polly approaches Harker, desperate to find her father, Alfred Hillinghead. Alfred is facing incarceration after uncovering evidence linking Harker to a crime. Yet, Harker had already made his move, incapacitating Alfred during a seance. Meeting Alfred in confinement, Harker presents an ultimatum: his daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for Alfred's life. Alfred defiantly declines, resulting in Harker orchestrating his demise. Deceptively, Harker tells Polly of her father's alleged suicide.
The plot thickens as Polly and Harker wed, soon welcoming a son. Harker eventually reveals a shocking truth: his prescience stems from being a time traveler.
Jumping ahead to 2053, Iris grapples with the guilt of inadvertently assisting the 2023 bombings' mastermind and harming Defoe, Elias' only obstacle. Yet, in Defoe’s archives, she discovers crucial information about the Throat’s dual time-travel ability. Iris collaborates with Hasan, and together, they prevent Defoe’s impending death.
Despite their intervention, Defoe is disillusioned. It appears that destiny favors Elias. Elias' recurring tactic involves convincing Agatha of his false identity, utilizing her wealth to amass a fortune. Breaking this cycle becomes the burning question.
Hasan recalls Andrew, Elias’ foster father in 2023, hinting at Elias' downfall. Iris proposes a solution: time travel, but this time targeting 1886, aiming to dissuade Elias from executing his malicious plans. She believes revisiting 1880 could be the key to thwarting Elias.
It's evident that the creators of "Bodies" have drawn inspiration from a myriad of time-travel narratives. Although they strive to offer a fresh perspective, the show's experimental nature occasionally misses the mark. That said, this episode simplifies the intricate time-travel component, proving more engaging than its predecessors. It skillfully sets the stage for a riveting season finale, as the timelines start to converge.
