Exploring The Dark Allure Of Netflix's Reimagined Dracula

Dracula, the reimagined version of the Bram Stoker novel from the creators of Sherlock, is now available in full on Netflix. Many viewers have made it to the end of the series' three feature-length episodes. The ending of the series sees Agatha Van Helsing (played by Dolly Wells), in the body of her relative Zoe (also Wells), finally defeat Count Dracula (Claes Bang) in a murder-suicide pact that is very different from how the book defeats the legendary vampire.

To fully understand the ending, viewers must look at the themes of the entire series, which all come to a head in the final scenes as Dracula goes for one last fatal feast. From its beginning, the BBC and Netflix show has been interested in deconstructing the legends surrounding vampires, offering a new explanation as to why they have emerged.

In their final confrontation, Agatha/Zoe tells Dracula that his aversion to the cross, daylight, and mirrors is not a natural part of being a vampire, but merely habits that he has acquired over time. Agatha/Zoe explains to him that he cannot face daylight and mirrors because he is ashamed of the base animal he has become behind his facade of sophistication.

Meanwhile, he hates crosses, Agatha/Zoe tells him, because they remind him of Christ—a man who is prepared to die for his sins—whereas Dracula does everything to remain immortal and stave off death. "It speaks of the courage you long to possess," Agatha boldly declares to Dracula of the crucifix, "the courage it takes to die. I call you ashamed."

Agatha/Zoe, however, has given Dracula the courage to finally end his monstrous reign by allowing him to feast on her blood. As previously established in the episode, Zoe's blood is toxic to him because she has terminal cancer, and by sucking her blood, he not only kills himself but also her, in an act of mercy that ends her suffering.

Some fans have said this act of mercy is totally out of character for Dracula, but it is established in the second episode, where we learn that he absorbs a little of each person that he feeds on. This merciful streak has been lying dormant in him ever since he feasted on Agatha way back in the 19th century.

As for how Agatha is able to take over Zoe, her "great-great aunt on my father's side," this is all down to blood too. When Zoe drank Dracula's blood earlier in Episode 3, she drank in the life force of her long-dead relative, who then took control of her body in a last attempt to understand and then to kill the count.

Before Dracula and Zoe's dual death, viewers also saw the death of Lucy Westenra (Lydia), who was made into a creature of the undead after she allowed the count to feast on her. However, as she allowed her body to be cremated, her undead body was burned beyond recognition. Though Dracula still saw her as beautiful, she did not want to spend eternity as a hideous monster, so she allowed her friend Jack (Matthew Beard), a junior doctor who has been working with Zoe, to kill her again.

Dracula is streaming now on Netflix.