Sanditon Review: Episode 6 (Season 1 Episode 6)

A trip to London takes us away from the seaside town for the hour but brings with it plenty of fast-moving action, realizations, and heartbreak on Sanditon Season 1 Episode 6.

Charlotte sets off on her own to make things right and confirm where Georgiana really is. She’s not alone for long as Sidney finds her just in time after a rather rude introduction to the kind of London society that these period dramas don’t often show.

The change in scenery allows for some fun shifts in attitude and focus looking at the inner workings of these characters and relationships, as we learn more about Sidney’s romantic past, Otis’ life in London, while Charlotte takes stock of her life since she arrived in Sanditon.

Getting exposed to what London has to offer and taking a pause away from the fun of Sanditon gets Charlotte to a pivotal point in her arc, it seems, as she realizes that she may be making her decisions in haste.

This is clearest in her moments where she re-evaluates her initial opinion on Sidney, as she learns more about his past.

Charlotte: He seems so determined to keep the world at arm’s length.

Tom shedding some light on Eliza, and Sidney’s own heartbreak feels like a solid choice in creating a level of sympathy and understanding for why he’s been so distant. This narrative choice works as a smart foundation for his decisions regarding Georgiana and Otis, while also lessening the cold and heartless feel it initially had.

Charlotte and Sidney’s confrontations add a bit more depth and communication to their dynamic, as he shares a bit of himself with her, on their carriage rides through London. I especially appreciate these moments, because it allows for those epiphanies later in the hour to land with much more force.

The ball is once again the pinnacle of the hour as the Parkers, Charlotte, Lord Babington, and Crowe are all there to sell the regatta.

Even before, you can see the change between Sidney and Charlotte, so seeing him greet her at the bottom of the stairs and escorting her is an incredibly sweet moment.

It all leads to a big “Aha!” moment for Charlotte at the ball as Lord Babington poses a seemingly innocuous question.

Lord Babington: Is it possible for your affections towards a man to alter entirely within the space of a single day?

That’s all it takes for Charlotte to realize that her feelings for Sidney have done precisely that. A dizzying moment for her that leads her to a new and unfamiliar face in Susan.

That tension builds as the pair keep relatively close to each other and inevitably dance. I absolutely love the dance scenes in all period dramas, because they’re used in a way that conveys so much using body language and editing. Sidney and Charlotte’s dance is no different.

There’s still the romantic tension their dancing had before; only there’s a hint of easiness in being close to each other and the eye contact that makes it resonate more, making it feel like there’s truly a shift in their relationship.

It’s what makes Charlotte’s second realization of the night sting, as she discovers Sidney’s former flame is in attendance and seemingly single again.

While things in London are starting to get exciting, the Denham house is dealing with Lady Denham’s declining health. Of course, with the news that she’s gravely ill, comes the chase for the paper that will dictate the money and futures of Esther, Edward, and Clara.

In the process, Clara and Edward manage to reach their most despicable peak, it’s almost surprising—but not really.

Clara and Edward are honestly terrible, manipulative human beings. Who would have thought that the person –aside from Lady Denham—I would feel sorry for would turn out to be Esther?

There’s a sense of doom coming as Lady Denham’s health continues to decline, how will things end for everyone involved?

Random Thoughts

• No matter what period, TV has proven that by telling someone to stay in a car (or carriage), they will do the exact opposite.
• Charlotte oversharing with a stranger, feels like a recipe for disaster at some point down the road. But will it or has she found a friend in her?
• I also appreciate Susan’s commentary on love and comparing it to an affliction, “like measles.”
• Seeing that much going on between Clara and Edward is shocking only because it’s PBS’ Masterpiece but seems in line with the general tone of the series itself in a way that doesn’t take away from it.
• There’s a lot of substantial emotional character work made in these London scenes. We gain a bit more insight into the inner workings between Sidney and Tom, in a way that sets it apart from other series set in this period.
• Tom trying to sell the regatta is a fun bit of added levity to the hour, as everyone else seemingly has their minds on incorrect preconceptions, and love.

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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