Black Cake Season 1 Episode 7 Review: Birth Mother
As the end nears, Black Cake delivers a riveting, emotional hour of loss and choices. Black Cake Season 1 Episode 7, “Birth Mother,” reveals exactly how Covey gave up Mabel Matilda.
Book readers will notice quite a few changes between what happens on the show and the novel. The show paints the nuns in a more nuanced angle. They aren’t perfect but they’re also not monsters.
They definitely engage in questionable practices. Nevertheless, it seems like they believe they’re doing what’s best for the mothers and children. We also meet Irene who adds dimension and depth to this story.
She’s seemingly dealing with a form of postpartum depression. Because this happens at a time when things like this go untreated, Irene becomes devastating to watch. This especially rings true when compared to her cheery disposition at the start of “Birth Mother.”
Covey and Irene act as parallels to one another. Covey enters this place with no attachment to her child. She wants it to find a new home. Irene adores her baby and plans to raise her daughter (who she believes is a son).
By the end of the hour, Irene wants nothing to do with the child. In comparison, Covey breaks down at the loss of Matilda (soon-to-be Mabel).
Elly Roberts and Mia Isaac give equally heartbreaking performances. It’s hard to watch Irene go from hopeful and happy to depressed and detached.
You’re constantly on the edge because you worry she could hurt her daughter. Additionally, at other times, you wonder if she may have a moment of clarity. A moment of wanting her child again.
You know how Covey’s story ends. Nonetheless, it doesn’t remove the pain you feel for her, seeing it all play out.
Moreover, this moment also allows the nuns to not seem like demons. In her own way, the nun allowing Mabel to keep Matilda as part of her name is a kindness.
It’s not a big one, but it is something.
The last few episodes permitted us to get to know Mabel, Byron, and Benny and develop an attachment to them. Often, I wonder how Mabel will react to this part of Covey’s story.
Therefore, I wish “Birth Mother” allowed us to see her absorbing this news. We get some of it, but I want more. It almost seems too resolved by the end of the hour.
This is one of the few episodes where I would have liked more of Covey’s children’s perspectives.
However, this episode once again reminds us of the captivating nature of Covey’s journey. She’s been through so much and still remains a pillar of strength.
“Birth Mother” also excels at demonstrating why Gibbs became so important to her. He represents hope.
He gave her a reason to live.
Gibbs further adds to her life by allowing her to start over with Benny and Byron. They give her a chance to act on her motherly instincts.
“Birth Mother” showcases Black Cake at its best: haunting, poetic, dramatic, and mesmerizing. It haunts us because it highlights the scars that define and make us. The show emotionally connects.
Black Cake has the ability to tell heartbreaking stories but makes you want more. I believe next week is the final episode, so we’re in for an emotional ride to the end. One that I can’t wait to take.
What did you think of this episode of Black Cake? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Black Cake streams Wednesday on Hulu.
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