Gentleman Jack Review: A Lucky and Narrow Escape (Season 2 Episode 5)

Anne Lister’s less admirable traits are on display on Gentleman Jack Season 2 Episode 5, “A Lucky and Narrow Escape.”

There are lots of things that we love about Anne Lister. Her wit and intellect, her confidence, ambition, and optimism are all things that draw people to her, including viewers. 

She is also classist, domineering, arrogant, and  — apparently — open to a bit of political corruption. All of this is front and center on “A Lucky and Narrow Escape.”. 

The most egregious example is the scene where Marian tells Anne she wants to marry Mr. Abbott. To be clear, there are plenty of reasons not to like Mr. Abbott. He is a bit dull and too interested in Anne’s social status. Worst of all Mr. Abbott appears to see Marian as a means to an end. 

He’s not even subtle about it. He literally tells Marian that he would never reveal his criticism of the Ultras to anyone who matters right after he tells Marian those criticisms. Anne is right. He is a chump. 

That said, Anne telling Marian that she would be disowned if she married him because he is a wool stapler is heartbreaking and madding. It’s even worse considering how loyal and steadfast Marian has been in the face of every nasty thing said about Anne.

I don’t know the nuances of status in Halifax during that time or how it was normally dealt with. There is also genuine concern for her sister weaved in with the classism of her response. Still, no circumstances make Anne’s response to Marian defensible. 

Another part of Anne explored on this episode is her politics. The series has never shied away from Anne Lister’s conservative politics but on “A Lucky and Narrow Escape,” we learn that she is a deeply entrenched partisan. She’s willing to blur ethical boundaries to increase the number of Torre voters without batting an eye. 

To be fair, as a woman, Anne isn’t given a lot of straightforward ways to exert political influence so from her perspective she is just working with the circumstances she is in. Still, her zealotry about Blues and Yellows, isn’t that different from some of the worst parts of modern politics. 

Even the bit with Elizabeth’s hip doesn’t paint Anne in the best light. Anne is well-intentioned in her efforts to get Elizabeth medical care, her insensitive comment about not being able to get a good day’s work out of her if she’s in pain notwithstanding.

But well-intentioned or not, it’s also an example of how Anne tends to steamroll people. Offering Elizabeth access to the family doctor is thoughtful and kind. Forcing her to see him — especially given the power dynamic between them– makes her come across as a bit of a bully. 

Related side note, though, Surranne Jones and Rosie Cavaliero are exceptional in the scene where Elizabeth accidentally insults Aunt Anne. 

I wish I could give ” A Lucky and Narrow Escape” two different ratings. Despite Anne not being shown in the best light, the first half of the episode is Gentleman Jack at its best. 

I appreciate that the series doesn’t paper over Anne’s flaws. Some of the most interesting moments of the show come about when we get to see those parts of Anne. That is the case for the first half of this episode. 

Things start to fall apart in the second half, however, when the focus shifts to the fallout from the election. It’s mostly just less compelling than the rest of the episode, but the depiction of the political unrest feels shallow and cliched.

The confrontation between Anne and the group of boys after the riot is the actual embodiment of the unwashed masses. 

Admittedly, as a viewer watching from the States, I am likely missing a lot of context about British political history. Still, the episode paints the Yellows as vulgar brutes terrorizing the well-meaning blues without sufficiently explaining where that anger is coming from.

There is a strong scene with John Waterhouse where he talks about not realizing there was so much anger and suggests it might be justified. Still, it’s not enough to make the Yellows seem like anything more than a drunken mob.

Another issue with the episode is how it steps up the portrayal of Eugénie as a one-dimensional seductress. There is nothing inherently wrong with having one sort of superficial character in a large cast of complex ones.

Eugénie, however, is the only character of color on the show and it makes the writing for her feel more than a little cringy. 

“A Lucky and Narrow Escape” is Gentleman Jack at its best and its worst. Splitting the difference, it is a mostly good episode but the weakest of the season so far. 

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

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Gentleman Jack airs Mondays at 10/9c on HBO.

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