Sanditon Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Episode Two
A royal snub, a small town gets smaller for those looking for anonymity, and a chance to protect Georgiana’s inheritance takes center stage on an entertaining Sanditon Season 3 Episode 2, “Episode Two.”
In the aftermath of that bombshell return on “Episode One,” Charlotte decides to stay back in Sanditon while Ralph returns to Willingden, choosing to provide moral support while Tom and Mary are working on retaining an attorney to help keep her inheritance safe from Lockhart grubby hands.
Photographer: Joss Barratt. (C) Red Planet (Sanditon 3) Ltd.
It’s a fun hour with its share of laughter with Harry’s attempts at helping Arthur convince Ms. Greenhorn to sing for the recital despite the King’s visible, gossip-making absence. And because this is Sanditon, and there has to be something in the water, quite a few intriguing romantic entanglements have viewers running the gamut of feelings throughout the hour.
From the tension that emanates from the screen when Charlotte and Alexander are within each other’s proximity to the amusing and potentially genuine spark of a second romance around Lady Denham and Mr. Pryce.
Even after two seasons, I appreciate that a new romantic angle can be mined in the small beachside town.
Speaking of appreciation, can I say that the fact that Lady Susan has more dimension added to her character this late in the game is commendable. Seeing a glimpse of a more vulnerable side to her makes her seem more human and real in the world they’ve built.
“Sanditon” Season 3, Episode One. (L-R); Alexander Colbourne (BEN LLOYD-HUGHES); Charlotte Heywood (ROSE WILLIAMS). For editorial use only. Photographer: Rob Youngson (C) Red Planet (Sanditon 3) Ltd
But back to Charlotte and Alexander, who, thanks to Rose Williams and Ben Lloyd-Hughes, manage to balance to the borderline heartbreaking angst and angst with the humor or serendipitous events and the beginnings of scheming done by those closest to them in such a way that leaves you captivated by their story.
If that final glance between Lady Susan and Colbourne’s brother, Samuel, is any indication, we’ll be in for some matchmaking scheming take a front seat for the next few episodes.
On the more frustrating aspects of the hour, no matter how this whole thing plays out, Edward’s pursuit of Augusta feels wrong.
After all he did last season to Esther, it’s hard to buy into this “redemption arc” angle. You just can’t come back from that.
So, if this is just him playing the same beats as the last two seasons, what’s the whole point of his presence here aside from potentially being a catalyst for some aspect of Augusta’s final season arc?
It feels predatory after all he’s done. Augusta is young and impressionable, and despite her belief in her ability to hold her own in any situation, this arc with Edward is becoming more of a chore than an intriguing piece of this puzzle.
The hour ultimately circles back to the focal point of the season: Georgiana’s fight for what is rightfully hers.
Seeing her go back and forth between choosing not to go and choosing to fight is heartbreaking after being subjected to the town gossip and Samuel’s mock cross-examination.
But the fight within her remains as she sits through Ms. Greenhorn’s performance, a dedication to young ladies and broken hearts in a scene that telegraphs some exciting potential for more than a few Sanditon citizens and visitors.
With the trial next episode, a few questions still linger.
What evidence does Lockhart have to prove his claim? Is it possibly testimony from Georgianna’s mother? Or is it just good old-fashioned white male privilege and racism on his side?
I guess we’ll all find out next episode!
Random Thoughts
- I’m not sure what the end result of this friendship will be, but I look forward to more of Arthur and Harry. That could be a lot of fun!
- I would never have guessed that the introduction of Old Town is to serve as one last conflict between Tom and Mary. What are the odds that he actually does the right thing, or will he follow the money?
- Samuel Colbourne’s presence will bring some fun to the remainder of the season. I just know it.
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.
3 comments
(side note) the opera singer from america, MIGHT be georgiana’s mother.
Otis returns to visit Georgiana; invites her to his wedding. In which Otis runs into Charles Lockhart, asking him the question, does Charles love Georgiana?
Lady Denham and Mr. Pryce stay at the opera house dancing, and reminiscing when they were young.
Mrs. Green talks about her family, with suspicsion, Arthur thinks she might be Geogriana’s mother, sees her and Lockhart having a discussion; Georgiana’s name mentioned.
Charlotte dreams of Sydney…. Charles tells Georgiana that he cannot tell her, why he is doing what he is doing…. It will turn the Parker Brothers and their family upside down; ever since he met Georgiana; in which she and Mrs. Green, the American Opera Singer come face to face.
{charles and georgiana do not share dna, his relative married georgian’as relative).
“Some one” shows up at Charlotte’s doorstep….
if anyone knows the address to the writers, of sanditon, can they make
a part 4? Charles and Georgiana belong together….
I loved this episode! The story of Charlotte and Colbourne is the most intriging to me. The actors are really good and I’m hooked on their getting married. I really am interested in their married life in Sanditon. I wish their story would continue!
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