Sanditon Review: Episode 7 (Season 1 Episode 7)
The Sanditon Regatta is upon us, building on the momentum from the trip to London, making for a fun, angsty hour on Sanditon Season 1 Episode 7.
What makes this episode so fun is that it not only builds on what we learned during Charlotte and Sidney’s trip to London, but that it makes Esther moment of growth, and romantic entanglements the focus.
The regatta being the background for the romantic angst of the story is a solid choice and provides plenty of opportunities for the subtextual arguments to breathe and take the angst of the Sidney, Charlotte, Stringer, Eliza triangle (square?) to the next level.
Pair the tension already buzzing as Charlotte’s dealing with her romantic realization at the end of Sanditon Season 1 Episode 6, Sidney’s reunion with his former flame, Stringer’s eagerness to have the conversation with Charlotte, with the appearance of Charlotte’s new friend, Susan Worcester, the regatta plays so well and has much more action off the water.
With Charlotte’s thoughts firmly in the team Sidney camp after her conversation with Lord Babington during the ball, it changes the tone of her interactions with Mr. Stringer as the regatta is underway, letting out some of the tension that they used to share.
It doesn’t take Stringer long, though, to understand that Charlotte’s heart belongs to someone else, as Sidney and Charlotte have a brief, tense moment after a conversation with the pair, Eliza, and Susan takes a turn for the humiliating for Charlotte.
It’s a great moment because it’s just filled with the awkwardness of freshly discovered feelings, Charlotte gets to convey some of the heartache to Sidney, and Stringer comes to an important realization.
A realization he makes clear for Sidney after he wins the race.
While Stringer’s taking the knowledge in stride, Eliza doesn’t seem to be willing to go down without a fight and lets Charlotte know at every turn just as much.
Eliza: I never see a point in entering a race unless you win it.
The romantic angst on “Episode 7” is some of the best the series has had to date, mixing the kind of tension you would see in a period drama with no opportunities to voice your feelings in public, with the contemporary elements of a romance, specifically in moments like Sidney and Charlotte’s.
Susan’s presence is a relief and delight as she becomes Charlotte’s sole romantic ally and confidant. Susan adds a layer of fun to the seaside town—and no small measure of success—that it makes me a little sad that she takes her leave by the end of the episode.
But her parting words to Charlotte cements her as a favorite temporary citizen of this town and someone that Charlotte can ultimately share her thoughts more freely with.
Susan: When it comes to love, there is no such thing as a foregone conclusion.
It serves a perfect prelude to Sidney’s big moment at the end of the hour. A moment that no doubt makes every shipper heart burst.
Sidney: I would rather be here. I’m a great deal less than perfect. You’ve made me all too aware of that. But, for whatever it’s worth, I believe I am my best self, my truest self when I am with you. That is all.
It’s such a soft, understated moment between the two that melts your heart, desperately wanting to see what happens next.
But what comes next now that he’s effectively left the ball in Charlotte’s court?
Meanwhile, Lady Denham’s miraculously quick recovery feels like a startling change after seeing her so close to death and a bit like narrative whiplash. But, even with all of that, it manages to be the catalyst for some of my favorite non-romantic arcs throughout.
Edward and Clara get their comeuppance, and it’s just as satisfying to watch it all play out, as Edward gets disowned and Clara gets sent packing, a peak power move on Lady Denham’s part.
For Esther—the best Denham—it gives her a chance to do something that should have been done earlier—stand up for herself as she faces off against Edward.
It’s another solidly beautiful moment and helps lead to her final scene with Lord Babington as he makes her realize she’s got someone in her corner, utterly unconcerned with the inheritance.
But with only 1 episode left, how will all these stories end? Will there be a happy conclusion for anyone? Will Tom’s plans for Sanditon be a success? Will Charlotte and Sidney find themselves together?
So many questions, so little time left.
Random Thought
- The Arthur/Georgiana story throughout the episode feels very random and ultimately leaves me confused about where it’s going if it’s going anywhere at all.
- Crowe drunkenly doing things continues to entertain and offer an air of comedy to his moments.
- The beautiful setting and cinematography continues to impress.
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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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.