This episode deals with the Irish famine and the millions who died since pestilence and plague hit their crops. However also a testament, if that's the right word without sounding like a pun, to how not to judge people based on their religion or religious affiliation. Clearly the Protestant clergy saying this was as a result of the Catholic religion. Whereas Dr Traill (Martin Compson) believes this not to be the case and wants to help the people of his parish of Schull where he sees firsthand the devastation brought to the people.
Victoria (Jenna Coleman) wants to help her people, but Peel (Nigel Lindsay) is adamant the government's hands are tied due to the Tory outrage over taxes and how they will not get the right price for their crops. Which Victoria fails to understand and tells him as such later, after she meets with Traill who tells her of his plans and how the people are suffering. Peel tells the House the government is unable to help.
Cleary (Tilly Steele) wants an advance of her salary which Penge (Adrian Schiller) refuses, even mocking the handwriting of the letter she receives from home. Whereas Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) gives her his gold pocketwatch, a gift from a lady who told him he'd become a gentlemen with it, whereas she calls him "a prince among men." He would rather do a good deed than want to be thought of as a gentleman.
Albert (Tom Hughes) is concerned with the sewers and installing water closets in the palace, especially when he finds that the palace is built over sewers and even that the Roman sewers are in better condition than the ones now. He wants the staff to have water closets too, which Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) tells Penge will be appreciated more by the female staff.
Ernest (David Oakes) suffers from a rash which is diagnosed as a venereal disease and is prescribed mercury inhalation treatment, however he is warned that he cannot be with a woman or be able to have children. Which comes at a time when Victoria receives news that the Duke of Sutherland has died leaving Harriet a widow and a free woman. Ernest doesn't want to return to Coburg as he doesn't want to marry anyone Leopold finds for him which eh tells Albert before he receives the news from the doctor. Seems Earnest won't be marrying anyone after his excesses in Paris. The doctor only treats him after he finds he can afford his fees, nothing changed there then.
Traill opens a soup kitchen at his parish and tells his wife to to to Dublin with the children, as she says she won't return when she does, moot really since he dies of typhus anyway. Victoria telling Peel that she's a mother and she can't bare the plight of other women in her position not being able to feed their babies. Also reminding him how she thought he was very congenial when she met him for the first time. But her opinion of him has changed now and first impressions can be deceiving. Whereas Peel tells the House that the government will be sending food to the Irish. Cleary finds out her family is immigrating to America, as was the case with millions back then, as she thanks Victoria for meeting with Traill. Admitting that she too is a Catholic which doesn't bother Victoria.
An episode full of doom and gloom as it barely touches upon religion and indeed politics in Ireland in the nineteenth century, led on obviously by the sermon she and Albert listened to at the beginning setting up the events for the rest of the episode. Reinforced by the views of Sir Charles Trevelyan (Edward Bennett) who had a cynical answer for everything in his meagre efforts of setting up relief for the famine, adding that inevitable over population was always going to result in starvation as a means of equalling out the numbers. Rather bleakly and bigoted in his staunch Protestant views and outlook. As we know the real Victoria gave not an ounce of concern over the fate of her subjects in Ireland.
The same doom can be applied to Drummond (Leo Suter) and his 'failed romance' with Alfred (Jordan Waller) as he comments on women being emotional and Alfred asking if his fiance is the same way too. Drummond bemoaning how she wants to set a marriage date in the middle of the session of the House, adding Alfred doesn't want to hear that. So tears and woes all round then!
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