The creators of Penny Dreadful have often mentioned a desire to be faithful to the literary origins of Victor Frankenstein's creature, Caliban (Rory Kinnear), but with last night's episode it seems that a break from convention just might suggest more unexpected horrors to come.

Sir Malcolm Blinded By Conviction On Penny Dreadful? 

Van Helsing (David Warner) abruptly met his end during a walk with Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) when Caliban appeared and, angry with his creator, promptly snapped the old man's neck. In Bram Stoker's Dracula, the novel upon which his character and that of Mina Murray are both based, Van Helsing lives to the end of the novel, ultimately destroying the blood eating creature.

Some fans familiar with the story may have previously assumed that Mina's fate would mirror her fate in the novel, but with Van Helsing's shocking end Mina seems to be in more danger than ever. Matters are not helped of course now that Ms. Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) appears to be possessed by the devil or some other demon. Previews suggest that the search for Mina will be put on hold, possibly for the remainder of the season, as the battle for Ms. Ives' soul begins.

More 'Wickedness' To Come On Penny Dreadful?

Strange enough, the first true glimpse of Mina with the creature who has taken her coincides with the possible discovery of Dracula's tomb in Naples. Dracula had been inspired by the real-life Prince Vlad Tepes III, who'd been known for his cruelty as "Vlad The Impaler."

Reports have recently come in that a student working on her dissertation believes that the headstone she has found in Santa Maria la Nova Church belongs to Tapes. The legitimacy of the headstone has yet to be properly confirmed, though experts are eager to open the tomb in order to examine the contents.