Well it was all happening in the series 2 finale as Vicky got struck down with fever, highlighted by Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) and Albert (Tom Hughes) being at odds with each other and Victoria (Jenna Coleman) being caught in the middle. Lehzen believing fresh air is good for her, Albert saying it's too cold and Victoria compounding matters by taking her for a carriage ride in the park. Of course it has to come to a head since Lehzen and Albert were always at odds with each other. As Vicky's fever intensifies, the doctor is called. With Albert issuing an ultimatum, "either she leaves or I will." Of course we know Victoria always depended on Lehzen as a young child and as a princess, but she knows she doesn't need her anymore or her protection. Even if it does appear she was trying to come between her and Albert, Lehzen says it was cos she was protecting her, even from her own husband. Victoria saying she doesn't need protecting as Albert loves her and would do anything for her. Also since Victoria is older now and must make her own decisions, as she has proven she is more than capable of making in the past and now.
Elsewhere Peel (Nigel Lindsay) in trouble at Parliament with his repeal of the Bill of the Corn Laws. He believes free trade is the only way forward for the country and for those who shouldn't have to pay taxes on food. His party is against him and particularly the member for Lincoln. Albert tells him he has strength even if they appear to be weak. And that rest assured the Bill will go through. Wellington (Peter Bowles) is behind Peel telling him that he must do what is best for the country irrespective of what his Party may tell him. As well as telling Victoria that Peel is doing the best possible and she tells him he should talk to the dissenters. However he says if they were his soldiers he would have them flogged for their attitude.
Leopold (Alex Jennings) returns again to see his family with a gift for Albert's birthday he missed, a portrait of himself so he will remember him. Albert accepting it and then leaving the room. He thinks he shouldn't have said anything to Albert and was hasty in doing so. Drummond (Leo Suter) and Alfred (Jordan Waller) have dinner, with Drummond saying he doesn't want to marry anymore and will break off the engagement. Alfred disagrees since he will make a remarkable politician and he needs a wife to stand behind him. However Drummond doesn't want Alfred to tell him what he should do or the decision he should make. Thus leaving without dinner. Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) reads about David and Jonathan in the Bible and tells Alfred about how he loved the other as a woman's love. Thus showing she knows how Drummond and Alfred feel about one another.
Leopold wants Earnest (David Oakes) to marry the Princess back home but he refuses. He has other plans on his mind, especially as the doctor gives him a clean bill of health thus far. As long as his symptoms don't reoccur he is able to marry. He even gets Harriet's (Margaret Clunie) hopes up and she knows what he is going to ask her, even if he drops clues about it and hasn't had the chance to propose. Leopold is concerned however since it's not a good match. However Albert tells him he's more concerned with honesty than hypocrisy and at least Earnest is honest about his feelings. It appears Earnest's feelings will remain exactly that, as Brodie (Tommy Knight) notices a rash on his back. His symptoms have returned. And he is unable to see Harriet in person.
Vicky recovers and everyone is grateful, But not before Albert and Victoria argue over Albert's support for Peel and how he should support him in Parliament. She demands he doesn't go since it will be seen as though she is supporting Peel and in Parliament the Lincoln member, George Bentink MP (Roger May) accuses him of needing royalty to support his position. Peel is livid and thinks he should challenge him to a duel but that wouldn't achieve anything as Drummond tells him. Lady Peel also tells him that he thinks before he acts. Drummond ironically warning him about Spencer Percival (the only British PM to actually be assassinated) and what happened to him. Which Peel says won't happen to him. As the Bill is passed by 98 votes, Peel faces assassination by a disgruntled farmer and Drummond steps in to save his life. Thus ending his plans to meet with Alfred who has a change of heart and didn't have any right to tell him what to do with his life.
As the news breaks, Peel and Alfred are inconsolable and the Duchess of Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) tells Alfred he must be strong and take deep breaths. She's not blind and she knew what was happening between them. But that the funeral and grief belongs to his mother and his fiance, Florence (Grace Link). Victoria asks Lehzen to return to her family as she no longer needs her and reluctantly she leaves. As Penge (Adrian Schiller) gives her a bottle of Maderia for the journey and she will miss him. Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) asks Mrs Skerrett (Nell Hudson) for a boat ride on the Serpentine and he's made strawberry tarts for her. He is good with his tarts. Yes quite! Ha. As they share their first kiss. Leopold gets a pony for Vicky and all's well in their royal world, at least for Victoria and Albert for now.
The Corn laws were taxes/tariffs on any food that was imported into the country particularly on grain and were in force to enable heavy prices to be levied on corn so that the farmers and landowners were the ones who prospered from them. In force 1815-1846. As Albert says it was a "time of enlightenment" for the country after the repeal, but Peel was in no mood for this as he barely kept his emotions together over Drummond. Historically Drummond was actually shot in the back three years before the Corn Laws were repealed in a case of mistaken identity at the age of 51 in 1843. As for Alfred in real life he became equerry to Victoria in 1846, married and had 14 children. He was also younger than Drummond. AT the funeral, Florence tells Alfred how Drummond spoke a lot baout him and Alfred says they had a lot in common. As she breaks down and Wilhelmina must offer Alfred a hanky. Obviously you knew once they got togetehr with their little indiscretion" as Alfred put it, in Scotland, something was bound to go wrong.
For those missing, or will miss their Victoria fix, it will return for a Christmas Special later in the year. Well it's not like ITV have anything else in the works they could drum up for a special.
But if you're missing earnest catch David Oakes in Venus In Fur at Theatre Royal Haymarket. There's nothing like the thrill of a live performance!!
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