Sanditon Season 3 Episode 1 Review: Episode One

Charlotte returns to Sanditon with Ralph Starling, her fiancé. in tow to celebrate Georgiana’s 21st birthday and she isn’t the only one on the intriguing Sanditon Season 3 Episode 1, “Episode One” where the set up for the final arcs for this beachside resort plays out.

The first episode of any season of Sanditon does a lot of lifting in terms of exposition and setting the scene for a lot of newcomers as well as returning characters, so this hour is really no different in its mechanics.

One character’s unfortunate return to the town feels like we’re going to be heading into some re-treading territory.

The fact that we are going to be put through what becomes apparent halfway through the hour, is Edward Denham’s attempt at reformatting only to return to his conniving ways inevitably comes off as a wasted opportunity to flesh out another Sanditon resident maybe or go deeper with any of the other new additions.

We know who he is, he’s never going to change, and the way he’s been looking at Augusta throughout the hour leads me to believe that this leopard is not changing his spots, no matter how much scripture is read to him or how much hosing down Dr. Fuchs does.

I will say seeing Edward being subjected to something kind of water torture and sermons is kind of weird. I’m not entirely sure if I should be entertained or concerned.

On a happier note, Lady Susan’s return only leaves me wholly excited and hopeful for what’s to come for Charlotte but also serves as a beautiful bookend for the series.

Lady Susan was one of Charlotte’s greatest advocates and pushed her at times when she needed some pushing in the first season. I mean, we all remember her attempt at defending her friend during the regatta, right?

So, her return feels like there is a possibility that maybe Charlotte’s story won’t end at Willingden like some of us might expect –especially when she meets Leo, Mrs. Wheatley, and Augusta.

Augusta’s parent trapping Charlotte and her uncle, fires back in spectacularly painful fashion by the end of the hour as the dancing begins at Georgiana’s coming out party and the news of Charlotte’s impending nuptials is announced to the unsuspecting Mr. Colbourne.

Seeing Alexander’s face fall, masking the heartbreak, is sad to watch.

Alexander just offhandedly inviting lady Lydia to ride at his estate is clearly an immediate knee-jerk response to handing his heart to Charlotte and having it broken not long before the final dance. The minute lady Montrose mentions Colbourne. We’re in for another triangle.

The question becomes will it be an equilateral triangle with visible affection and genuinely tricky decisions when choosing a partner, or are we looking at a weak isosceles triangle where anyone within a 10-mile radius can see the truth?

Augusta and Leo mean well, but they definitely set up both Charlotte and Alexander for a world of heartache, even though they are only operating without crucial information.

Elsewhere, the first Parker family dinner of Charlotte’s visit seems to double as a bit of an eye-opening experience for Ralph as he begins to see Charlotte’s life outside of Willingden.

It seems to be a recurring theme throughout the hour, especially for him. From her exploits in London with Sidney looking for Georgiana to Mr. Colbourne and her history with the family, it seems like he doesn’t really know who he’s marrying.

He even makes it clear when he speaks to Lady Susan during Georgiana’s coming-out party at the end of the hour.

Charlotte’s pragmatic ways are a little disheartening to see on display throughout the hour. Seeing her go from the fiery, bright character f to who she is now –A little subdued.  A little grounded—it feels like a regression for her character.

We all know that she didn’t want to get married last season, and she actively went to Sanditon to avoid marrying Ralph, so to see her betray her own ideals feels a bit heartbreaking.

I will say that seeing Ralph try by buying her the new Keats is kind of sweet.

Arthur’s vision for Georgiana’s coming out party has very much the feeling that it’s meant to take viewers back to the first ballroom Lady Susan meets Charlotte during the first season. I appreciate the detail and how it’s incorporated into the story of the hour itself.

Sanditon may not have a long run, but I enjoy the callbacks and references, nonetheless.

The stage is set in the final act during the quadrille for the romantic drama and the final battle for Georgiana’s inheritance.

We are in for a wild final six episodes of Sanditon!

Random Thoughts

• I really love that the first time we see any kind of genuine emotion of the season is during Georgiana and Charlotte conversation catching up on each other’s lives. I also must appreciate Georgiana posing the important question: is she in love with Ralph Starling?
• I didn’t expect Lockhart to come back but that may set some other aspects of her story in motion. Maybe even the search for her mother will come up with an answer?

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

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Sanditon airs Sunday’s at 9/8c on PBS.

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