A young Vanessa harnesses her fledgling powers as a witch from the Cut-Wife, a master of the dark arts, but as she sees the extent of Vanessa's powers, the Cut-Wife warns her of the dangers that lie ahead and the evil that will chase her.
Tropes:
- The Ageless: Evelyn is revealed to be this, after a Deal with the Devil.
- Attempted Rape: Sir Geoffrey Hawkes tries to rape Vanessa in the woods but he finds out that she can defend herself.
- Black Magic : The Cut-Wife entrusts Vanessa with a book of it warning her that opening it will cut her from God.
- Black Speech : Vanessa learns it from the Cut-Wife.
- Bondage Is Bad: Evelyn Poole and Sir Geoffrey Hawkes engage in BDSM.
- Burn the Witch!: The Cut-Wife suffers this thanks to the manipulations of Evelyn. However, they don't burn her at the stake : they suspend her from chains and cover her with oil before setting her on fire.
- Face Death with Dignity: The Cut-Wife when she realizes the angry mob is coming for her.
- Given Name Reveal: The Cut-Wife's real name is Joan Clayton.
- Meaningful Echo: The lord repeats "Scream for me" when he marks Vanessa.
- Old Master: The Cut-Wife to Vanessa.
- Older Than They Look: The Cut-Wife reveals she's been alive since before 1644. Evelyn Poole, being a coven sister of the Cut-Wife, should be at least as old as her.
- Origins Episode: For Vanessa's skill with magic.
- Shout-Out: The Cut-Wife quotes the "Something wicked this way comes" lines from Macbeth.
- Tarot Troubles: Vanessa learns to read the cards from the Cut-Wife. In her first reading she draws The Devil, but the Cut-Wife is quick to tell her that the cards can have many meanings.
- Who Wants to Live Forever?: The Cut-Wife doesn't, and has accepted that she's dying.
- Whole Episode Flashback: Apart from a short scene in the beginning with Ethan, the whole episode takes place in between the second-to-last and last scenes of season one's Whole Episode Flashback "Closer Than Sisters."
- Wicked Witch: Played with. The Cut-Wife has the appearance and the demeanour of one, but she's actually a good witch.
