This episode highlighted the romance between Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) but of course we know it was fictional. It was none the less compelling viewing, as the search was on to find a husband for Victoria to calm her down and as her uncle, King Leopold of Belgium put it, to slow down her giddiness. But as we know Victoria only had eyes for Melbourne and as he said, she must give her heart to someone worthy. She however replying she has already given it.
The episode opened with Leopold (Alex Jennings) arriving and telling Victoria that at least she inherited her posture from their side of the family, even if not her height and also how he would be living at the palace had his daughter Charlotte survived child birth. Also telling her, well demanding or ordering, that she should marry her cousin, Prince Albert, his nephew. Who is like him, but she didn't get on with him last time and recalls him as the boy he was. Her mother, Duchess of Kent (Catherine Flemming) tells Leopold that she doesn't like Conroy (Paul Rhys) and won't listen to him. Asking Leopold for money since she's living like a pauper and needs new clothes.
There's also trouble in Newport as the Chartists are in uproar and march, as Victoria rides in her carriage for the ceremony, we see the soldiers open fire on them and shoot. The Duchess of Cumberland (Nichola McAuliffe) suggests that Cumberland (Peter Firth) should put forward his nephew, Prince George (Nicholas Agnew) into the running as a suitor for Victoria, especially as they learn of Albert (Tom Hughes) and also of Prince Alexander of Russia. It would make a very English marriage as Melbourne advised her she needs. Victoria also wondering if Elizabeth I was happy as she didn't marry. He tells her of her many companions. Victoria thinks she too can have companions and doesn't want to marry yet.
She attends an unveiling for her father's charitable pursuits and both George and Alexander are eager to win her hand, though Alexander more so than George, who as Victoria tells Melbourne, was rather pleased with himself. Victoria ponders her choices at the opera as they watch Lucia and Leopold watches Victoria watching Melbourne in her box and he at her. As he tells Conroy she has "an obstacle" in her way which must be removed before she considers Albert. Or rather before Albert was thrown at her. They think Albert will be able to control her and if she ash children then she'll be kept busy. Of course we know that wasn't the case and not only did Albert not control her, but he was just a consort with no power at all.
She finds out that Melbourne hasn't arrived as he's at Brocket Hall and she travels incognito in Emma's (Anna Wilson-Jones) carriage, after viewing the night sky through the telescope Melbourne gave her for her birthday. He welcomes her to the Hall and she talks of her heart being taken already, as he tells her about the rooks, known as a parliament and much more humanized that their human counterparts. As well as saying rooks mate for life and build their nests full of sparkle. That perhaps he should have done the same for his wife. Victoria being adamant she'd never have left him, or would leave him. He taking her hand during all this and with the nation on their edge of their seats willing for them to kiss! So much chemistry between them there and indeed throughout the entire episode. However he lets her down gently, as gently as he could by saying he too mates for life, like the rook. She walks away having received her answer, heartbroken. Melbourne: "I believe when you give your heart it will be without hesitation." Yeah she gave it as soon as she met him actually!
However she does put on a brave face for the dance, yes another one, this time for Leopold. Emma tells Victoria she has orchids and they must be from Melbourne. They're very hard to grow and he stopped growing them after his wife, so he must have grown them especially for her. At the dance, Victoria dresses like Elizabeth I. As she dances with Alexander, he knows he isn't the one for her. Neither is George who calls her a "midget!" He's not really interested in her as a person and only there cos of his uncle. Melbourne arrives and he also dances with Victoria. He comes as Leicester, Elizabeth's companion. He didn't have a wife either but they didn't marry, yet he was one of her companions. Leopold talks with Melbourne and basically asks if he let her down gently. Adding that Albert is on his way here. Without Victoria's permission, adds Melbourne.
Mrs Jenkins (Eve Myles) receives a letter from her sister and after keeping it to herself she finally tells Skerrett (Nell Hudson) about it. Her nephew is to be hung, drawn and quartered for being a traitor and part of the Chartists, but he's just a foolish boy. Skerrett is also bothered by Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) who finally gets the news she only worked at the laundry of Ma Fletcher's place. He commenting on how she washed the clothes of tarts and then came here. She doesn't want her business known and he just wants to be her friend. The staff also wager on whom Victoria will marry, started by Penge (Adrian Schiller). Skerrett tells Victoria of the men waiting to be hanged and of the people not being happy. She summons Melbourne and wants to sign the bishops' petition to stop this. She wants her reign to be "merciful" and Melbourne informs her she can commute their sentences and send them to Australia.
Victoria sends away Conroy giving him an Irish title and a £1,000, increasing her mother's allowance. She tells her mother she knows how hard it is to lose someone you love and cries. Adding that Conroy wanted to leave. As the others watch and listen to Victoria playing piano, Albert arrives and turns over the music sheet for her. Well she got the surprise of her life, or should that be shock! That coupled with Alexander's parting gift of a box carved with the initials of V&A was timely, though the A was more appropriate for Albert.
Yes, heard the hearts of many breaking when they found we will not go the whole hog with dramatic licence and they will both have to keep stiff upper lips (and to themselves! ha) as there'll be no more romance between them, no matter how many glances Victoria and Melbourne steal towards one another. Nor any secret assignations or late night meetings. Still good to see her maintain her position on marriage and firmly controlling her life and her regency, running things as she wants them still. Without any influences from meddling relatives, no matter who they are. After all Belgium is just a small, poor nation and Victoria will reign just as she wants to over hers.
Did anyone manage to keep a straight face when Penge was naming the contenders, The British bulldog or the German sausage (some innuendo there no doubt! Especially when he said the same at the end about the sausage getting the queen!) Upon writing Lord M is trending on Twitter. Maybe they need a spin off all about Lord M with Rufus in the title role again!! With Jenna as Lady Caroline and this time round she can break his heart all over again!! Seriously good idea!
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