Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160425010026/@comment-24674051-20160427165904

One thing that I saw in this episode got me thinking.

When people go to the bridge over the flame pit, the flames seem to come up initially regardless of the final destination (with the sole exception being Herc, and that could be because he is himelf a demi-god, I need to go back and check that scene again). And, the way to the better place does not open until you've been touched by the flames.

Perhaps the flames are themselves a final test, to see if the person has met whatever the conditions are for them to move to the better place. With Henry Sr, he was engulfed in the flames, then the way opened. Liam fell into the flames, and the flames (or something within them) provided the boat and lifted him out (and opened the way forward). and Cora was momentarily surrounded by flames prior to the way opening.

On the other hand, Blacktooth and Captain Silver were both surrounded and consumed by the flames, ending their chance at redemption and sending them on to whatever worse awaits.