Sanditon Review: Episode 4 (Season 1 Episode 4)

Tensions continue to rise, and a new face’s presence in town causes some significant problems for a few people on Sanditon Season 1 Episode 4.

The hour continues to build a few promising stories, dropping more information, adding a bit of intrigue, and many questions about whose perspective is that of the truth.

With Sidney away in London, doing what he needs to do while also attempting to help Tom, Charlotte takes on her role as friend and overseer of Georgiana seriously. She quickly finds out, though, that she’s in way over her head.

Georgiana’s seemingly proficient at getting what she wants out of people, Mrs. Griffiths and Charlotte included, which in this case is getting away from her room and meeting up with the very man that she seemingly was sent away from.

It’s in these moments that Charlotte feels most like Northanger Abbey’s Catherine, swayed into certain situations.

In this case, though, it allows for a new face to be introduced to Otis Molyneux, a London merchant that fell in love with Georgiana, along with some historical context for the time the story hails from.

While learning more about Otis’ history, from being abducted from his home in Africa at a young age to be sold into slavery to being freed, becoming a merchant, and meeting Georgiana at a ball, we also get a glimpse at how much Charlotte’s ignorance about the long-ranging effects of slavery.

The moment Otis lays it all out for her is fascinating and feels like a very progressive moment for the time.

But even with that added depth to the story, there’s also a feeling that something is being held back in Otis and Georgiana’s telling of the story about how they came together and torn apart.

Is there more to the reason why Sidney kept them apart beyond racism and classism?

This development certainly puts a wrench in the tentative dynamic Sidney and Charlotte have built over the last 3 episodes.

His lack of willingness to fully explain the situation and their full-on argument in the streets of Sanditon make it quite clear that there’s still a long way to go if there’s going to be any forward movement at all.

Now, if only Sidney would be a bit more forthcoming with his side of things, especially with why he kept the pair apart, and what his dealings in Antigua were all about.

Might those dealings fall in line with that of the Bertram’s in Mansfield Park?

Elsewhere, pressure continues to mount for Stringer and Tom’s stories, as Stringer continues to set his sights on things like architecture and rising above his station, and Tom struggles to keep things afloat financially.

This aspect of the storytelling continues to be intriguing to watch because we’ve grown so used to an archetype when it comes to the Regency gentleman. The pair are trying to do similar things in the sense that they are trying to financially better themselves.

But as they seemingly continue to work at cross-purposes, I can’t help but wonder at what point we’ll see the inevitable blow-up happen, as Stringer continues to grow tired of the empty promises and Tom having moments—like buying that necklace for his wife—of living outside of his means.

Meanwhile, Esther, Edward, and Clara’s story develop in the soapiest way, as the reveal (and confirmation) of the nature of Esther and Edward’s relationship comes in the form of Clara’s creeping in on a moment between the pair.

While Clara continues to play the game, she seems to offer Esther some solid advice when it comes to Edward, as she discovers that her Edward isn’t as invested in their plans to get away as she is.

Things are certainly getting messy in the town of Sanditon, bringing with each new development a new set of questions. Now at the halfway point, how many of those questions will have answers?

Random Thoughts

• Diana and Arthur continue to provide the comedic relief throughout the hour with their ailments and visits to Dr. Fuchs.
• Is Charlotte’s decision to double down, going behind Sidney’s back to help Georgiana the right thing to do, or is there still more we don’t know about the situation?
• Charlotte and Stringer’s relationship continues to grow, thanks to the candidness they each seem to have in their conversations. I’m interested to see how this plays out, especially in the context of what’s going on with Sidney because it’s clear that’s the triangle being built out.

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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