Penny Dreadful | Episode 104 "Dorian Gray and Ethan Chandler" | Autopsy of a Scene 

I imagined that would happen, because there's no way you spend a night drinking with Dorian Gray and don't end up having sex with him.

DORIAN'S STORYLINE IS TO HAVE SEX WITH EVERY CHARACTER AND I AM OKAY WITH THAT. ONE SEASON IN AND HE'S PRACTICALLY HALFWAY DONE.

Honestly, I think this is one of the best scenes I've EVER watched, in any film or series. Not just because of the kiss, but because of all that leads to it - the music, the other clips. Both actors pulled it off fantastically, but Chandler was indescribable. The way he grabbed Dorian by the neck, himself not knowing what he was about to do, choke him or something else. And how he looked at him after he kissed him... oh, when I saw this scene, I felt the need to watch it over and over again!

When I saw this scene. I was sitting here, blushing my ass of thinking: "well, that was unexpected" Lolol.

Whenever there's a scene between two hot male characters, I always have a fantasy that there going to make out, but in this case they actually did and i almost fell out.

“Ethan is there because he really feels like something needs to be explored between the two of them.” Is that what kids are calling bisexual awakenings these days?

This scene is an absolute masterpiece. The way Ethan grabs Dorian with such violence and passion, not knowing exactly what he'll do next and then kissing and ripping off his clothes to have Dorian responding with a tender kiss, calmly opening the buttons on his blouse... These characters that have been through unspeakable pain, they really needed that moment, that touch, that comfort. So many years later and Penny Dreadful still is one of the best tv shows ever made.

This whole sequence is as beautiful and sexy as it is heartbreaking. Everything has a perfect place in this scene, everything from the light and shadow to the music, the montage of scenes in Ethan's mind, the softness of Dorian's hand on Ethan's shirt and Ethan's hand on Dorian's hair. The kiss is dead sexy, yes, but it's heartbreaking because it's an exquisite moment of tenderness coaxed into being by a common thread of profound sadness. As each exposes the other's skin, it's symbolic of each exposing a secret in the other, and neither withdraws from it. The kiss is also a symbol of acceptance: I expose you, you trust me to expose you, and I accept you. My god...how can one not find love in that, not be driven to touch? (Hey, that's not bad. I gotta go blog this one out. Love from California)

I didn't even know what to say after this scene except uh...thank you? It was totally what we all didn't know we wanted, but we did.

These are two very sad men. They're in each other's company, but they're each inside their own heads. We see that in the brief few seconds when Ethan takes a sip of absinthe and looks down, like people do when something saddens them. Cut over to Dorian, who does the same thing. These men have people around them, but their circumstances set them apart from everyone they know or could ever know, and this makes them lonely. Ironically, they have that in common, and there's a great deal of comfort in knowing that there's even just one other who can understand that by experience. My God...where do you begin to express that understanding? With a kiss.

fun German fact: Liebestod, although literally meaning “love-death,” refers to a climax (kind of the way “la petite mort” or “little death” in French also refers to an orgasm). this scene kind of embodies several climaxes, one being the climax of a sensory-overload evening, one being the climax of the Wagner opera, and one being the climax of this particular moment shared by the two characters. then, yeah, the definition also extends to an orgasm, which obviously goes on to happen off-camera. but even given the lack of actual sex happening here it’s probably safe to say that this whole scene just represents a giant orgasm.

well Dracula is coming on the show can you imagine what would happen if Dorian and Dracula are in the same room.

I often get the feeling Dorian was trying to seduce Ethan, leading up to that moment

I saw this coming when Dorian left Vanessa alone at the theatre. I thought "More popcorn, this will be awesome!!!"

I'm amused by all the people here claiming they were shocked by this scene. Did the fact that they were tripping on absinthe just fly right by all of you? Of course they'd jump each other's bones - that's what the Green Fairy does. She lights you up, ratchets your sensuality all the way up to 11. Dorian knew exactly what he was doing when he offered Ethan the drug. (Most people don't realize that absinthe is exactly that - a drug. Because you drink it in a pretty glass and it looks like Midori, people tend to forget it's not a freaking aperitif - it's something you take when you want to get seriously high.)

I just saw this scene again as Penny Dreadful recapped Season 1 (before heading into Season 2). I noticed something else: Dorian's narrating the scene of the opera as it's illustrated by the music and the voice, but he's also inviting us to let the music illustrate the scene between he and Ethan: Ethan's mental montage rises with the music, then it peaks with the music just as he kisses Dorian. Then the tenderness of the scene takes over, just as the music is coming in for a smooth, beautiful landing. Damn...just when I thought this scene couldn't get any better, I found something else to love.

Every other show would make those two characters just compete endlessly for Vanessa. Another annoying love triangle. But this show... wow, just wow. It portrayed their rivality much different, almost annihilated it, twisted their desires and gave their characters new depth. I've never seen another show which made such amazing unique decisions when it comes to plot twists.

They are so different physically,Ethan is strong,physically we are aware of him,he has big hands,where as Dorian is more fragile,with a smaller build but just as much a man,he is more sensitive,yet Ethan and Dorian share that characteristic,you can feel the attraction between the 2 of them,though I think at first Dorian was in control,he was surprised how Ethan took control and accepted it,yet there is a delicacy between the 2 of them.

Still one of my favourite TV moments. That whole wonderfully edited montage to suggest the scene is going in a different direction, and then the music climaxes...breathtaking catharsis!

That was literally the first and last time that was ever discussed

What I liked most about this scene was that it was Ethan who started it and it was not only because of the Absinth. I'm not even sure this was the only sexual expericence he had with another man in his life.

One if the best scenes ever!! The ambiance, the lighting, the music, the absinthe, the longing looks. Perfection!!!

Both of them are seriously HOT! and have such great chemistry it would be a shame not to continiue with this thing they have,whatever it is.

this scene was intense... at first i thought ethan was going to kill dorian.. all those flashbacks, the mistery of what ethan really is and THAT FUCKING OPERA man i almost had a heart attack!!! i really thought someone was going to die.. thank god what happened was way more fun to watch lol

I came here to the name of this piece and oh man, I miss Penny Dreadful so much :(

Holy shit, after all this time this scene keeps giving me goosebumps. It's fucking beautiful!!

I get goosebumps every time I watch this and I almost want to cry with Ethan!

If one has lived, relatable... regardless of one's sexual orientation... From a play by Wilde adapted into German opera, the mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death. The recording is from the 1966 Tristan at Bayreuth, with Birgit Nilsson as Isolde and Karl Bohm conducting.

Beautiful scene.

Perfection...the lighting, the set and this utterly wondrously camp scene.

This scene is so well done, that tension growing with the music is spectacular!

this was easily one of the most provocative scenes in all of penny dreadful...even if you predicted they would lead up to this, I still think it managed to shock everyone...then again that is Dorian Gray in his element, always chasing the forbidden pleasures.

such an incredibly sensual and emotional scene. Incredibly well acted. I was moved by the brutal honesty they both portrayed. Loved it. More please!

How amazing and powerful and totally unexpected just breathtaking.

The scene with Angelique was much more explicit but not unexpected. "Penny Dreadful" is wonderfully subversive and unique.

Scenes like these are part of what made Penny Dreadful so amazing and different.

This was masterfully done. Such emotion! Both actors did it so good we could imagine every thought and feeling just looking at their faces, without words. Just wonderful.

The fact that Dorian had sex with both of the main characters...and all that happened in first season...

I hope there's more Dorian Gay scenes with Ethan! More skin please! Straight people get all the goods! We get a kiss and pat on the back. I demand more!

he's so pretty oh my god

I remember I was so surprised when I watched it for a first time.

My MA thesis is about bisexual representation on TV, and I'm pretty much dedicating an entire chapter to analyzing this scene and everything it means.

my god reeve's voice and accent (despite not being a true brit) are pure earporn

I can't stand Dorian's hair and I know that's so stupid. Otherwise, this is fantastic.

this scene gives me absolutely everything every single time

How beautiful are they together. A superb ephebe and a magnificent scion.... a dream come true

Ahhh this scene … rough yet equally gently as well.

that painting's butt is gonna hurt later

if I am an heterosexual woman, why the hell does this turn me so violently on??? what a perfect scene

I was so excited for the next episode to see what they do with this relationship... but it was never touched on again. So disappointed.

So many chills... such a beautiful scene...

Actually there are no words to describe this scene.. it's just purely Beautiful. The music the way its played the sentences the Shock all timed to be Perfect...

Still one of the greatest moments I ever witnessed on television. It sweeps you up with emotions, and rocks you like a roiling ocean in a violent storm. So good, so lovely.

i completely forgot about this plot point. i saw this show such a long time ago and have forgotten how much i love it, this scene being such a beautiful one. i'm 100% crying in the club rn.

This scene was a surprise, but I kinda saw it coming especially from Dorian... and to think Ethan is a bottom...

One of my favorite scenes ever.

Beautiful Sean , well acted and believable ❤

Perfecttttt I totally in love!!!!

I have not read Oscar Wilde's novel, yet I am eager to since seeing this series. Reeve Carney and Josh Hartnett are awesome actors and rocked in this scene. It really represents what happens when we let our true natures out and act on our desires.

#FBF to that night with the absinthe... Watch Josh Hartnett and #PennyDreadful Creator John Logan discuss the motivation for that famous scene.

I think Dorian is my favorite character . He is so deliciously deviant. 😍🤤

I like these stories they like blow my mind . The best story tell I ever seen

This was realy greatness, not the current Penny Dreadful, that´s a divine punishment.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ON-SCREEN KISS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. If Absinthe would cause Josh Hartnett to grab MY neck like that I say POUR US A DOUBLE!

I’ve always had the hots for Josh Hartnett that boy was a major heartthrob since the late 90s possibly one of the hottest kiss I’ve seen on screen sense Brokeback mountain

Such a beautiful show,I miss it

Dorian gives off bottom energy in this scene

I like this final scene. I think addition to the Dorian flirting and Sensual weather, pain and loneliness that feels Ethan is touching.

I wanna more😭

I woke my parents with my shrieks of "I KNEW IT!!" I'm sure they were so confused but I was so wholly rewarded by the makers of this series! I thought I was mad but I knew something beautiful was taking place in this episode! Wagner makes us all his masterpiece!

Mr. Steal Yo Girl...and Boy.

When Dorian says that he wants make a toast in Vanessa's name Ethan got angry...annoyed on some way for one only moment.

Cena maravilhosa!!! Não esperava por ela em momento algum da série. Não consigo decidir quem é mais (in)tenso: quando penso a favor de um, o outro já se levanta e eu confuso fico novamente. Mas, é como já disseram comentários atrás: o momento pede... a música... a bebida... as memórias... as luzes. Tenho a impressão de ser Doryan brincando com Ethan: eu faria o mesmo, ao mesmo tempo que não resistiria. Por mais cenas assim!!! Série PERFEITA!!!

"You're a man who likes his scents." That's what Ethan said to Dorian , earlier in the scene. I recall that when Vanessa first met Dorian, in the botanical garden, she acted as if some overpowering scent hit her. Not after sniffing the flowers, but SPECIFICALLY when he was approaching her. (The clip inspired me to rewatch both episodes) The first time I saw the series, I thought-since she was drawn to Power and the Strange- that maybe she sensed his Immortality/Otherness. But then, after Ethan- the WEREWOLF- remarked on scents, and seemed overpowered, I'm NOW ( years later!!) wondering if maybe Dorian put out strong nearly hypnotic phermones? I mean, he WAS rich, young (looking), and intelligent, so it kinda made sense for him to always be with someone. But, literally, DOZENS? Like, all together, in one room at a time (I thought only royalty were known for massive orgies meant, really, for only ONE ?) And they all (ALL!) truly "felt" something for him, (the paintings, I gathered, were commissioned portraits of lovers past) weren't all prostitutes, no? Just a thought-experiment that literally landed in my brain 56 minutes ago?

I LOVE THIS SO FUCKING MUCH

Teve alguma cena deles depois ???? é que tipo depois disso eles nem se vêem mais

I want to know where to find an absinthe tray like that one there, and a sugar cube holder like that

Awesome

It scared me... totally unexpected! I thought that Ethan wanted to kick his ass ahaha! After that ( kiss ) and i was totally shocked!

1:30 that look, omg

I don't know why he reminds me sooo much of Jared Leto! :S Not that is a bad thing, tho.

Well it is an horror show so this scene fits straight in.

Dorian is so not believable as a top .

That's not what I expected at all 😂

Intense....

This song is at the end of William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet with Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

I like how this wasn't even mentioned in the show till the second season

This scene caught me off guard i thought ethan was finna turn into a werewolf or sumn.

I am in desperate need of finding the song in this scene PLS

And they had chosen in my opinion the best Isolde of all times, Birgit Nilsson ♥️♥️♥️

Dorian’s secret was he was willing to pay with his soul for what he desired.

I wanted to see more... Lol

Please make more scenes with Dorian and Ethan!!

Lindo 😍😍😍😍👏👏👏👏

I'm trying to find the song that plays in this scene

i thought ethan was gonna choke him but he kissed :')

Can anyone please name this soundtrack?

what is the name of the opera?

Goodness me, that was gory. I wasn't prepared for the violent bloody fretful flashbacks at all. Also, the guy playing Dorian looks too much like Connor from 'Angel' and that unsettles me even more.

Wich season is it?