We all knew that Donald Whitfield, played by Timothy Dalton, in 1923 was a sadist from the very beginning. With this newest season, though, he’s “training” his protégée, Lindy (Madison Elise Rogers), to be a participant and a Dominatrix herself. One unwilling submissive has already been killed and in the latest episode, another prostitute has, without consent, been found as a replacement submissive.

Whitfield is showing Lindy how to “train” the newest prostitute, Mabel, into confusing which is pleasurable — pain or pleasure. This occurs while Mabel is bound to the bed in a pillory style device while Lindy alternately paddles her and then pleasures her all while Whitfield watches and directs.

This gives a clue as to Whitfield’s true kink. Along with a sadist, Whitfield’s kink is directing and forcing others to do and endure that which they do not want.

Let me be clear. This is NOT BDSM. BDSM is all about consent, not force. It’s about negotiations, not trickery. It’s about meeting the needs of both the dominant and the submissive, not coercion and kidnapping.

Basically, this is about a sick minded individual getting off on abuse.

This behavior gives the viewers a peek into the mind of the antagonist, an irredeemable, money and land grabbing, entitled, rich guy. I understand this from a plotting/story telling viewpoint.

Please, though, do not confuse this behavior with true BDSM.