Sanditon Review: Episode 8 (Season 1 Episode 8)
The midsummer ball is upon the residents of Sanditon, and with it comes tragedy, a proposal, and heartbreak on Sanditon Season 1 Episode 8.
It’s a busy hour that does a lot for many of the ensemble characters’ arcs, from Esther and Lord Babington to Stringer’s story, and Arthur’s late-blooming arc, all while seemingly breezing through some resolutions while letting others breathe.
But the pacing decision for each story never feels like a mistake—each with its own emotional effect in place.
The midsummer ball sets the scene for some of the more prominent developments, as the joy and splendor of the ball is the perfect setting for a happy moment for Esther and Lord Babington as the pair find themselves engaged by the end of it.
Considering everything that she’s gone through, it’s a beautiful moment of growth to see her send Edward away as he tries to interrupt the fun everyone is having, and accepting the care, consideration, and affection she deserves with Lord Babington.
She finds an ideal match in Babington, as someone who wishes to walk beside her and be a true equal with her. It’s a heartwarming moment as he lays his heart out to her one more time.
Their happiness and happy ending serve as a stark contrast to Charlotte and Sidney’s story throughout.
Charlotte and Sidney’s walk to town and conversation culminating in their first kiss is a fun, sweet scene, that has all the awkwardness of scenes like that of Knightley and Emma in Emma or that of Catherine and Henry in Northanger Abbey.
But, with a kiss at the top of the hour, there’s a sense that disaster is bound to befall them. Sure enough, Sidney’s actions in the face of the massive fire that destroys much of Sanditon during the midsummer ball.
It’s what makes their missed chances during the midsummer ball that much more painful, from their lost dance and their near moment on the balcony.
Their interrupted conversation on the balcony is a lovely moment that leaves you hopeful, making the aftermath of Sidney’s trip and his subsequent engagement to Eliza that much more heartbreaking.
With Jane Austen’s novel adaptations, there has always been a sense of security that the main protagonist will find her match, and they’ll come together by the end of the whole mini-series. That’s why this Sanditon finale feels like such a swift punch in the gut.
As Sidney does what he must do for his family, sacrifice his happiness for the sake of the fortune attached to Eliza, he’s breaking Charlotte’s heart (and his own) in the process.
It makes sense in the grand scheme of things but feels upsetting after being used to a specific archetypal arc for protagonists and how close the pair are throughout the ball to finally sorting out their romantic futures together.
The final hour does feel like the beginning of set up for more, which makes ITV’s decision to cancel the series that much more disappointing. There’s plenty of angst, drama, and a measure of happiness to mine in a new season.
From rebuilding Sanditon to Stringer’s choices in the aftermath of his father’s death, and of course, Charlotte and Sidney’s stories in the wake of his engagement. There’s plenty of ground that can be covered—just saying.
Random Thought
- Insurance was and will always be an essential aspect of everything. Come on, people!
- It’s a shame we’re getting so little of Lady Denham’s recovering relationship with Esther with no hope of more. It’s a dynamic I would like to see more of, especially as Lady Denham opens up more about her romantic history with Esther. We have been robbed.
- The Arthur and Georgiana dynamic feels random, but also kind of delightful? Arthur’s story ultimately takes a heartbreaking turn when he tells his sister that he doesn’t know much about women and how he’s a “lifelong bachelor.” There’s something devastating about that statement.
What did you think of this episode of Sanditon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Sanditon Season 1 can be found on PBS Passport.
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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.