Agnes (Aisling Loftus) and Victor (Trystan Gravelle) break the news and hand in their resignation to Harry who will be sad to see them go but wishes them the best. Infact he even goes out of his way to flout the rules of Britain and allow Agnes to continue working here even after she is married cos she's so good at what she does. But Agnes will be starting her own family business with Victor and Harry knows what that's like and won't stand in her way. Although he will miss her. She's grateful for Harry giving her a start in life and allowing her to fulfill her dreams.
Ms Mardle (Amanda Abbington) insists Florian (Oliver Farnworth) stay away from her and there can be nothing between them and she gets him an audition with the Halle orchestra in Manchester, which he sees is an attempt to drive him away and out of her life. She's unhappy at work and Grace (Amy Morgan) notices this when Ms Mardle is short with her, giving her some of her mother's advice; about doing something instead of being indecisive even if it's the wrong thing to do. Grove (Tom Goodman-Hill) also notices how sad she is when Florian brings the orchestra letter to her and tells her he doesn't want it or her interfering in his life. Grove speaks to Ms Mardle in his office and tells her he's sorry for what he said to her. She adds that he called her "an old fool" which wasn't a nice thing to say to a woman. She's concerned she's older than Florian and he may want children one day. Grove wants her forgiveness but he knows Florian loves her and she should find her happiness with the man she deserves. She finally tells Florian that she wants him to stay and that she loves him. Lots of kissing there then! Ha.
Henri (Gregory Fitoussi) gets a letter from the American embassy clearing his name so he's a free man. He's joining the French army and going off to fight and will be missed by Harry. Henri apologizes to Victor over what he said regarding Agnes. He was worried about her as a friend and colleague. Agnes and Victor make wedding plans at the restaurant and George (Calum Callaghan) seems out of sorts with things. He just says it's nothing to do with her and Victor but Victor knows something's not right.
George comes to Selfridge's and is mobbed by the staff, with Kitty (Amy Beth Hayes) and Jessie (Sai Bennett) wanting to know what it was like for him. He is greeted like a hero by Crabb (Ron Cook) and Grove. Gordon (Greg Austin) takes him to see his father cos he can see George is uneasy with the attention. George tells Harry how it's hell over there and the newspapers don't write that. What kept him going are the comforts of home. The parcels from Agnes, the letters and that jar of jam she sent him. He smelled it and it took him back to his mother's kitchen and being safe. Harry decides Agnes's theme will be "the comforts of home" and she sets to work on the store window. "It will be your swan song," he tells her. Knowing full well she doesn't really want to leave.
Agnes takes a walk with Henri in the park late night, how they used to walk last series. They can walk for hours as Henri puts it without saying anything and Agnes replies it's cos they know each other so well. She will miss him when he goes but he will miss her too. So they part company, after lingering looks. He walks back and she continues walking forward. 'Ere it was a scene out of an old movie! Victor talks with George wanting to know if he thinks Agnes will be happy with him, but George isn't the one marrying him. George adding if she says so then she will be happy. She's just ordinary Agnes to him, but to Victor she's special. They're just ordinary but she isn't.
Henri admires Agnes's window and how it's simple and honest just like her. Victor asks if he loves Agnes and he admits that he does but he's leaving today. Victor wishes him luck. Later he breaks off the engagement to Agnes cos he can't drag her away from here and from her doing whats he loves. Yes, but Harry would have let her keep her job as he said. Victor knows Agnes would come to resent him over the years and wishes her well. Saying she should go to Henri. Which she does. They kiss and she wants him to return to her.
Lady Mae (Katherine Kelly) finds a way to clear Harry's name by looking for Harry's list in Loxley's (Aidan McArdle) study. She knows he'll have hoarded it somewhere and Harry tells her and Frank (Samuel West) that he only made one copy of it cos she vouched for him; for which she is sincerely apologetic once more. She ensures Pimble tells her when he's out and she searches his study. Little knowing that Loxley is creeping about as he opens a secret door into his study, seems she didn't know that. He confronts her saying she's a "little scrubber" and is looking for money, throwing it on the floor for her to pick up, or in his words, "get down on your knees." If she was that desperate, she'd have told Pimble to pick it up, ha! Lady Mae finally tells him what she really thinks of him: a coward, profiting from the misery of others. She leaves the money on the floor and walks out. Giving the list to Harry and allowing him to clear his name with the Procurement Committee.
Harry has his own confrontation with the House of Lords as he walks in as bold as brass and tells them everything that Loxley did and how he used the very boot manufacturer he warned him to steer clear of. Edgerton (Raymond Coulthard) finally admits he did use that manufacturer and Loxley is left to answer for his profits. Harry adding Lady Mae will even testify against him. That was the final nail in Loxley's coffin. Frank brings in newspapers to the store with the headlines reading that Loxley has been arrested. Lady Mae is also over the moon as she tells everyone that, "the world is my oyster once again." She she's rid of him. Harry asks Rose what she wanted to tell him, but she wants Harry to enjoy his moment. Watch out for the moment where Harry tells the Committee that he's a Yank and a store keeper. And a proud one at that since that's what they called him, a shop keeper. Harry is later offered a position on the Committee which he deftly refuses, adding once more that he's a store keeper. Frank and Kitty are back on again as he tells her they can start again fresh now.
Harry: "Yes I'm a Yank and I'm a shopkeeper, but also I'm a man of honour."
Rose breaks the news of her illness to Harry, that she's dying. He wants to get the best doctors involved, but Rose wants to spend Thanksgiving with the family and then they'll break the news tomorrow. Rose actually died of the Spanish Flu in real life which she was susceptible to and after they opened their home up to soldiers during the war. So it appears when we come back to series 3, since the action will have moved on some years to 1919, Harry will have dealt with, or be dealing with his beloved Rose's passing.
At dinner, they all say what they're thankful for, their family, friends and Harry most of all is thankful for his beautiful wife Rose. She is also grateful and thankful for being with Harry and having all the time with him, as we fade out on Rose.
That was the end of series 2 but series 3 will be back next year, even if it is minus a few of the cast. A bit of a sad episode on many fronts, some found happiness, some renewed feelings and others had bad news. Just some tying up of loose ends and ending stories started in the first episode of series 2. Lady Mae being overjoyed that Loxley is out of her life and Ms Mardle gets the man of her life, someone who really cares about her. Grove is saddened to finally let Ms Mardle go as he sighs after she leaves his office since he finally gets some closure of his own after telling her to follow her heart and as she tells Florian, she was listening to people instead of doing what she wanted.
A bit of comedy included too as Miss Plunkett (Sadie Shimmin) and Miss Blenkinsop (Deborah Cornelius) fight over Harry's diary and how they can get one up on each other. Crabb: "Mr Selfridge is not a wildebeest to be hunted down by slavering hyenas!" Maybe Crabb recalled the jungle display a few eps ago! Ha.
Oh and a final lift scene with Victor walking away from Agnes after letting her go into the arms of another man. It was all he could do to keep his composure! Ahh.
No comments:
Post a Comment