Sanditon Review: Episode 3 (Season 1 Episode 3)

Ambition and rewriting one’s own story are two critical aspects in the hour that shine through on Sanditon Episode 3.

The hour continues to build in a fun, engaging way, that weaves in the central characters’ stories in a seemingly organic way.

Georgiana questioning Mr. Hankins’ teachings offers another hint of rebellion and unwillingness to fit into the life and ways of the society Sidney is trying to bring her into. I do wonder what Georgiana’s painting was of to have offended Mr. Hankins and Mrs. Griffiths.

Meanwhile, the fight over Lady Denham’s money continues and heightens as Clara faces off against both Edward and Esther’s divide and conquer approach, and it’s clear during the physician’s demonstration.

While Clara thinks she can captivate Edward and distract him from his endgame, Esther is much more on top of her game than her brother is, and it’s evident in the ladies’ time alone with each other, as everyone is out of earshot.

The fact that the games they are playing are starting to interfere with Tom’s plans for the town, as the physician is sent away, makes me realize how invested I already am in the town’s success for the sake of the Parker family.

They also epitomize an ambition that juxtaposes Tom’s in a way that highlights their manipulative, dishonest ways.

It is clear, though, that the women are running the game and are 100 percent in it to win it.

Elsewhere, a labor dispute is brewing as the stonemason playing double duty falls while on the job. The labor dispute and what’s going on in the town itself, in addition to Sidney, Charlotte, and Stringer’s stories have become some of the more exciting aspects of Sanditon.

Having Stringer become a face of the labor dispute helps with this, adding a character you can root for in the event of a full-on confrontation, which feels inevitable at this point.

Charlotte and Stringer’s conversation before Stringer’s father falls is compelling and highlights a theme that has emerged in the span of 3 episodes: gaining the ability to rewrite one’s own story.

Stringer’s aspirations of building his own town, Georgiana being forced to stay on in Sanditon, Tom’s attempts at making Sanditon happen, among others, are there to do just that seemingly.

Charlotte even poses the question to Sidney as they play with the Parker children at the lake.

Charlotte: can we not rewrite our history, if we find it disagreeable?

Is this a question meant just to highlight her own opinions, or is it intended to allude to something beyond just that?

In my review on Sanditon Episode 1 and Episode 2, I had a question about exactly how they would pivot Charlotte and Sidney’s story. Episode 3 seems to give me an answer.

The tide feels like it’s turning for the pair of them rather quickly. But seeing the pair band together to help Stringer’s father, playing with the Parker children, and bantering has me already on board with whatever potential friendship/romance may head their way.

There’s a tension there that has transformed from antagonistic to flirtatious or something close to that. But, which way will it go, and does Stringer play a part in it?

Random Thoughts

• Charlotte’s reaction to Mrs. Parker’s question about her walk—the walk where comes across a very naked Sidney—is hilarious.
• The other Parker siblings, Arthur and his sister, are the fantastic comedic relief in every scene they enter, and I am a fan.
• Dr. Fuchs’ inventions and the introduction of those inventions lead to a moment I have never seen in a Regency drama before, further setting it apart from all the other Austen adaptations before.
• The regatta plan, while it seems like an opportunity to bring people to town, also seems potentially rife with complications.

What did you think of this episode of Sanditon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Sanditon airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.

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