Karen Stratton

Professor **Karen Stratton** is an alienist who forms a bond with Dr. Laszlo Kreizler. She is a recurring character in “Angel of Darkness” portrayed by Lara Pulver.

## Official Description

*Karen meets the gang at John’s engagement party. She is an alienist and an expert in her field. She and Laszlo form a special professional connection.*

## Biography

Professor Stratton was Violet Haywardʼs teacher at Barnard College, although for only one semester. At Violet's engagement party with news reporter John Moore, Karen approached Dr. Laszlo Kreizler. He was was commenting on the party's excessive luxury, comparing it to the decadence of French court at Versailles. Karen was amused by it and apologising for being pedantic, corrected him on some historical inaccuracies. After introducing herself, Kreizler said he read her work. Karen saved him from an awkward invitation and gave the alienist her business card, telling him to call her before leaving.

Their next meeting took place in a decadent bar, drinking absinthe and discussing psychiatric evaluations. Dr. Kreizler reached an impasse with a case he was working on featuring abduction and serial infanticide by a woman with a deviant personality. Professor Stratton was quickly enticed by such a case, as they are rare in their academic field of investigation.

The professor grew close to Dr. Kreizler, and offered her support to him when a tragedy shook the Kreizler Institute. One of the wards, Paulie McPherson, had tried to hang himself leading to a police investigation and re-evaluation of Kreizler's professional skills by Dr. Markoe. Karen comforted Laszlo, reminding him of all the good he had done for Paulie and the other children at the institute.

Karen and Laszlo continued their working partnership after John Moore and Sara Howard uncovered more details about Libby Hatch's background and modus operandi, including a series of paraphilias enacted with her lover. Namely, lactofilia or suckling breast milk during intercourse. While Laszlo had a rather strict and academic view on the subject, Karen did not expressly view it as a paraphilia. To prove her thesis, she showed her ankle to Laszlo and asked him if this made him sexualize that area of her body without taking her as a whole into account. According to Karen, Libby was not a simple fetish for her lover, but an active participant in that erotic activity.

Karen took Laszlo to an alternative club, where she revealed that she received a letter from the Institute of Psychology in Vienna. They offered her a position, and she would depart in two weeks. She then introduced Laszlo to Alice, the owner of the club. Alice has both male and female reproductive organs. Alice's partner, Rose, had a fixation identical to that of the kidnapper. Rose’s desires often tormented her. It was as if she gained life by suckling from Alice. When Rose was four years old, she was left on a doorstep by her mother. This suggested a detachment from other people. A loneliness sated by obsession.

Laszlo had studied many books in hopes of unlocking aspects of life that people would rather not give voice to, including paraphilia and perversion. However, he understood more from walking into the alternative club than he ever did in reading books. He asked Karen if she had been to the club before. She simply replied that she liked to keep her mind open to new experiences and feelings. Laszlo then got an urgent call from Sara.

Laszlo brought Clara back to the institute and introduced her to Karen. With Laszlo’s license having been revoked, he wouldn’t be able to help her. Although, the institute would remain open in the interim thanks to Karen.

Karen informed Laszlo that she was going to accept the invitation to Vienna. She couldn’t decline such an opportunity. She hoped Laszlo would join her, but his life was in New York.

Karen and Laszlo played Chess and made a wager that should he lose, he’d be hers to do with as she pleased. She asked one last time for him to come to Europe with her, but he declined. As he walked her to her carriage, they shared a kiss. Laszlo suddenly had a change of heart and decided to join Karen to Vienna.

## Appearances

Angel of Darkness

* Ep. 4: *Gilded Cage*
* Ep. 5: *Belly of the Beast*
* Ep. 6: *Memento Mori*
* Ep. 7: *Last Exit to Brooklyn*
* Ep. 8: *Better Angels*

## Gallery

*Photo by Kata Vermes. [Courtesy of TNT Pressroom.]*
## References

1. ↑ Character Bio Karen Stratton - Warner Media Group
2. ↑ Alyson Feltes (writer); Clare Kilner (director); (July 26, 2020); "Gilded Cage". Episode 4. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
3. ↑ Gina Gionfriddo & Karina Wolf (writer); Clare Kilner (director); (August 2, 2020); "Belly of the Beast". Episode 5. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
4. ↑ Alyson Feltes (writer); David Caffrey (director); (August 2, 2020); "Memento Mori". Episode 6. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
5. ↑ Tom Smuts & Amy Berg (writers); David Caffrey (director); (August 9, 2020); "Last Exit to Brooklyn". Episode 7. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.
6. ↑ Stuart Carolan & Karina Wolf (writers); David Caffrey (director); (August 9, 2020); "Better Angels". Episode 8. *Angel of Darkness*. TNT.