Victoria (Jenna Coleman) gives birth to her second child, a boy as Albert (Tom Hughes) refers to him as the heir, the Prince of Wales, when he breaks the news to everyone. Victoria can't bring herself to look at the baby and is terse with Vicky too. Of course no one really knew of post-natal depression back then however, true to life, Victoria wasn't very amiable towards her children, though as we know she had many. She's not interested in doing anything and is withdrawn, not wanting to attend the opening of the tunnels running under the Thames. She's impressed by the model but will keep it for later.
Albert receives word of his father's death from Coburg, who carked it "doing what he always liked" as Earnest (David Oakes) later tells him. Victoria wants to travel with him but he doesn't want to take her, especially after her 'confinement.' But she's adamant they've never been apart since their marriage. As Albert sings to her in German, a song about a better world, well I would've translated it here but sure no ones really interested. He also wants Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) to get to the bottom of which of the palace staff told the paper about Jones and breaking into the palace, before he returns, otherwise the entire staff will be replaced, as trust is paramount. He also mentions privacy and how important it is to them.
Albert arrives at Coburg and he and Earnest share some of their memories together, such as Albert climbing that big tree and their father not wanting him to do it. Albert is saddened he didn't part on good terms with his father and later Leopold (Alex Jennings) tells him about his mother and how unhappy she was, particularly with his father's dalliances. After Leopold's wife, Charlotte died, they comforted each other, yes in that sense of the word and he he later had to leave for Belgium. So yes Albert is Leopold's son (in this version!)
Earnest tells him how Leopold is trying t marry him off too, as they speak of their cousin and how his "pimples have abated." To a Princess Alda, who is right prim and proper, so boring. she doesn't want to ride, hates their roads, their wine. Later he and Earnest get drunk in the local inn and Earnest tells him she's "a thistle" and he's not going to marry her, cos Leopold wouldn't marry a thistle either. Albert is drunk saying how life needs balance and everything needs to be in perfect equilibrium and he breaks the glasses he's piling onto one another. He wants to tell Earnest about Leopold, but he prefers not to talk about him. Albert wants to wear armour when he returns to the castle for his projection and asks why Leopold told him. Answering he was comforting him and no one should know of this. Albert angry that's he's a fraud and he is also a bastard and has illegitimate children now. He leaves the next day and Earnest catches him before he leaves. Albert telling him to come to England soon. perhaps the funniest line in this ep was Albert reminding us how "the British press, they already draw me as a sausage, can you imagine if they found out?"
At the tower, there's an explosion in the armoury and Peel (Nigel Lindsay) urges Victoria to see the wounded and offer her condolences. She refuses but must do her duty. Upon returning she tells the Duchess of Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) that she was also crying for herself. Everyone's noticed her being 'out of sorts' and the Duchess tells her that she too felt unhappy after the birth of her daughter, Mary and she had an entire estate to run, whereas Victoria has a country. She thinks things will be different tomorrow. As Victoria goes to the opening of the tunnel.
Lehzen suspects Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) of selling the story to the papers as she sees him with a gold pocket watch, as does Skerrett. But Skerrett (Nell Hudson) knows it wasn't him since it was Eliza (Samantha Colley). She's her cousin and her I was thinking she was her sister. What was I watching all this time, ha! She wanted money for her daughter and she's not sorry that Skerrett may lose her job over it. Skerret has no choice but to confess to Victoria after Lehzen suspects Francatelli and a search of his room reveals gold sovereigns. She admits to Victoria that she told Eliza about it and how this job was hers. Victoria has no choice but to fire her and forgives her but she says Albert wouldn't be so forgiving.
Albert however upon return wants Skerrett to stay and gives her a better room since she's the best dresser Victoria ever had and he realizes that sometimes circumstances beyond their control leads them to such things, especially since Albert is an impostor too. Victoria was to be given a tiger cub by the Sultan of Brunei and instead the Duchess asked for a puppy. The glint in her eyes as she plays with the puppy, which she can't do with her children. Also seen by her mother. Who tells her babies are easy to love. Victoria tells Albert how she feels and how she also feels like an imposter and she's just a little girl wearing a crown. Albert tells her he needs her more than ever now. But doesn't reply to her.
Elsewhere there's a dent in the works between the burgeoning friendship and relationship between Drummond (Leo Suter) and Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) as he finds out Drummond is to be married, as Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) pines for Earnest still and Earnest looks at the lock of hair the Duchess gave him. Broken hearts all round then still. As well as adding weight to allegations of Albert's true birth, dramatic licence indeed!
No comments:
Post a Comment