As the title suggests this episode, the ugly monster rears its head in Victoria's life, perhaps more as a result of her insecurities after having a baby and then finding out she's pregnant once again. As she tries to determine and find a balance between her duties as a Sovereign and as a wife and mother. Sovereign was the word this episode as it was mentioned more than her being Queen! As she likes to use a lot. This time Albert (Tom Hughes) finds his interests leaning more towards the Royal Society as his fascination with mathematics peaks and the new invention of "the engine." Yes last series it was steam engines, this time round it's computers. As he leaves Victoria (Jenna Coleman) to meet Charles Babbage (Jo Stone-Fewings) and Lady Ada Lovelace (Emerald Fennell) and is most suitably impressed with the engine, rather more so than the woman herself. Though he'd be more interested in Lady Lovelace's mind more than anything else.
His father, the Duke of Coburg (Andrew Bicknell) asks him for money to repair the roof back in Coburg, didn't he ask for that last time round too, but he's been squandering the money on his "h-hobbies" as Albert puts it (hobbies in place of whores which is what he really wanted to say.) The Duke emphasizing that people visit the court and want to see where the 'King of England' was born, with Albert adding he's not the King. No he is a Prince and King Consort which of course no one would know the meaning of. Victoria throws a party for the Royal Society and in particular wanting to meet Lady Lovelace as she fears Albert is enamoured with her. With the dancer Marie Taglioni performing and there's a rendition of Othello too. Which the Duchess of Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) takes particular offence to even though Othello was written as a Moor by Shakespeare, as Peel (Nigel Lindsay) tells her.
Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) continues to be enchanted by Earnest (David Oakes) and listens to him playing Chopin, with the Duchess catching her out saying she's all red like a strawberry. Now how did we know the next scene would involve a mention of strawberries, well it could've been worse, they could've actually shown some! As Skerrett (Nell Hudson) tells Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) the Queen wants some of his strawberry tarts as she's particularly in the mood for them, as we know why, she has craving for tarts (oops!) He isn't happy being back as he tells her he had no choice being ordered back here. That's it's some small mercy being the Queen's favourite he supposes. Skerrett is sorry as she had no idea he was forced back.
On the occasion of the invite at the palace, Victoria also renews her acquaintance with Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) and invites him as well. To the chagrin of Leopold (Alex Jennings) and also Albert who tells Victoria she already has a Prime Minister and can't be involved in politics with him. Melbourne tells her about Lady Lovelace and that she is Lord Byron's daughter. Byron of course having a sore spot still with Melbourne as his wife ran away with him. As Victoria wasn't aware of Ada being his daughter. After she embarrasses herself when Albert explains to her what Pi is and that it's not used for cutting pies into pieces per se. Wasn't Ada's addition of using it to calculate apple pies and the circumference of Victoria's skirts a bit snide under the circumstances, as if she was ridiculing her.
Leopold has words with Melbourne and he must leave to attend to his library. Telling Leopold that he was called by his Sovereign and one does not refuse her. Victoria arrives to see him going and he was leaving without saying goodbye. He must attend to his orchids as it is orchid season and won't be staying in London. Victoria also having trouble with her corset now and can't be pulled tightly in. As she realizes for sure now that she is having a baby. She sends for Albert to come to the palace after he is at dinner at the Royal Society and is speaking on their behalf. But he refuses and she sends Brodie (Tommy Knight) again with another message and Albert sends him back asking if she commands him tor return. When he comes home, she refuses to repy and invite him into her chamber.
Then rides off to see Melbourne the next day and tells Duchess Buccleuch, on purpose that if Albert asks where she is, that she's at Brockett Hall. Albert however is not concerned and he doesn't ask where she is. He's more interested in engines and machines. However Leopold is, as she tells him where Victoria is. She just felt compelled to tell him considering she wasn't taken with Victoria as it was a personal visit and not one of state or duty. She asks Melbourne about marriage and he isn't an expert on that but he tells her Albert was made King Consort for a reason and not cos he was interested in taking over and becoming a King. Adding, "a man who is intent on flirtation does not tend to resort to mathematics." She is still the Sovereign and they are still her subjects.
Melbourne is unwell and has leeches applied to his right arm and is told they will help him with use of the left side of his body more, as Victoria sends him letter after letter. Finally he sends a reply back to her telling her that Albert loves her.
As Victoria visits the Royal Society she finds that Ada is leaving as her boy has fallen out of a tree and she has three children. Which surprises Victoria. However she would've preferred to be a man and Victoria agrees, now easing her mind with having nothing to worry about. Ernest tells Albert he should give their father the money and send him home, but he doesn't want to on principle. Earnest can't mess around here anymore and Albert doesn't want him to leave, but Leopold tells Albert about Victoria having a baby before he leaves with the Duke of Coburg. Also telling Victoria's mother (Catherine Flemming) the news. Albert asks Victoria why she didn't tell him and she replies she was going to the other night, but he didn't return to the place. As she sits by the gazebo where he kissed her and they make up.
Elsewhere there's an intruder in the place as he roams around freely stealing food and wine. Cleary (Tilly Steele) thinks it's a ghost and she has to keep her rosary away from Penge (Adrian Schiller) who doesn't like Papists. Finally he's found in the wardrobe and makes a run for it. However he's cornered and particularly by Duchess Buccleuch, who else. Also there's a hint of a possible relationship between Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) and Drummond (Leo Suter) as he offers him a light for his cigar, saying he never goes anywhere without his tinderbox. Well they did share longing looks.
Victoria doesn't want another baby so soon as that would mean more confinement and being slowly driven away from her duties as she fears Albert would take the reigns and desires nothing more than to have greater responsibility. Shown by her outrage at being treated like an ignoramus and having her husband explain to her what mathematics involves. As she led a sheltered life and didn't get to learn much. Which she confides in Melbourne, whilst still harbouring feelings for him. The highlight of this episode for most fans of course would have been the return of Melbourne and how he treats Victoria still with reverence and managing to hide his feelings as she is his Queen and he merely her subject. That much was clear in the greenhouse, like Victoria's intrigue over why the Goddess of Love should have a plant named after her, the Venus Flytrap. No prizes for guessing why that line was uttered.
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