Gentleman Jack Review: It’s Not Illegal (Season 2 Episode 8)
Gentleman Jack wraps its second season with Gentleman Jack Season 2 Episode 8, “It’s Not Illegal.”
“It’s Not Illegal” is a good hour of TV. It is easily one of the stronger episodes of Gentleman Jack Season 2. It lacks the sweeping romance of the first season finale. Still, that is in line with the entire season.
Judging “It’s Not Illegal” — or really any of the season — by the bar set by Season 1, it’s a little underwhelming. Stipulating that Season 2 doesn’t have the same thrill as Season 1, there is still a lot to love about the second season and its finale.
Gentleman Jack Season 2 is often at its strongest during the smaller, more intimate moments. That is true of the finale too.
For instance, on Season 1, Miss Walker and Miss Lister’s breaking point comes as a result of the dramatic deterioration of Miss Walker’s mental health. It is classic epic romantic angst at its best.
On “It’s Not Illegal,” the breaking point comes after constant bickering with Ann Walker’s simple words, “I can’t do this anymore.” Season 1 — if I can be cliche for a minute — threatens to end their relationship with a bang, while Season 2 is more of a whimper.
The tone and stakes of each conflict are different, but both are successful and appropriate to their season’s respective narratives. Watching the countless points of pressure finally overwhelm Ann Walker’s resolve is its own kind of heartbreak.
Or, for example, watching Suranne Jones’ understated expression of pain and hurt as so many people in her life say they plan to leave hurts just as much as when she watches Miss Walker set off for Scotland during Season 1.
Try as they might, only loyal Aunt Anne seems able to stick it out with Anne when things are at their most difficult.
Of course, the loneliness of that prospect makes Ann’s eventual recommitment to their relationship a more powerful conclusion to the episode and the season.
On Gentleman Jack Season 2 Episode 1, “Faith is All,” Ann asks Miss Lister to have faith in her. Ann Walker tests that faith on “It’s Not Illegal,” but in the end, shows Anne that more than anyone, Miss Lister’s faith in her is well placed.
It’s a beautiful full-circle moment for the season and a lovely end to this part of their story.
It’s not all subtle and quiet heartbreak on “It’s Not Illegal.” though. The episode also sees the conclusion of the season-long battle between Miss Walker and her Brother-in-Law, Captain Sutherland.
The storyline regarding the division of Ann’s estate is the most complete and cohesive of the season. Slowly building through all eight episodes, the payoff on the finale is incredibly satisfying.
My favorite thing about it is that Ann wants to see it through regardless of the uncertain status of her relationship with Miss Lister. She is doing it for herself.
Whatever her future with Miss Lister is, she knows she wants independence from her family, and you have to feel proud of her for that. It shows just how much she’s grown.
In fact, no character on the show has had more character growth than Ann Walker. As much as we are all here for Anne Lister and love watching her story, she is more or less the same person we met in Season 1.
Ann Walker, however, has found her voice and her confidence. Watching that has been one of the best parts of Season 2.
A final assessment of Gentleman Jack Season 2 depends on whether it gets a Season 3. If there is a third season, then Season 2 is a strong entry in a larger story.
If “It’s Not Illegal” is a series finale rather than a season finale, the story feels incomplete. There are too many unresolved plotlines and character arcs to feel satisfied if this is where things end.
As much as I can appreciate the low-stakes drama, these characters deserve a conclusion as grand as their beginning.
Ever the optimist, I will say it’s been a pleasure to be back in Halifax with these characters, and I look forward to returning for the next chapter.
What did you think of this episode of Gentleman Jack? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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All of Gentleman Jack Season 2 is available to stream on HBO Max.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.