In this episode Nikolai ratchets up the mental manipulation of the brothers as the physical abuse continues.Realizing that the loyalty shared by Dougie and Mat is the one thing that Nikolai needs to break in both of them, he begins planting the seeds of doubt in their minds, trying to play one against the other. Dougie knows what is going on thanks to his background in psychology and is scrambling for a way to keep himself from breaking, yet his fear of pain keeps him submitting. He is also not so sure that Mat can ever forgive Dougie for what happened at the auction, and Nikolai is all too happy to foster that belief. After being drugged, Mat tells Nikolai that regardless of what his brother has done or will do, he will do anything required to save Dougie, but that if it were for Mat alone, he would happily die before submitting any further.
There is also the spark Nikolai is feeling towards Dougie. Whether Nikolai will ever be able to let Dougie go to another master is certainly in question now as well. The mental tug of war here is fascinating. While Nikolai has the upper hand, there is no guarantee that he will be successful with either man. Can't wait to move on to the next chapter.
 - Rachel Haimowitz, Heidi Belleau)
