Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Episode Five
Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 5, “Episode Five,” rushes to tie up loose ends before the season finale and fails to frame all its developments effectively.
The episode finally unveils the truth behind Magwitch and Compeyson and their connections to Pip, Estella, and Miss Havisham.
Those who have read the book won’t be surprised by all the developments. However, even if the series doesn’t have the element of surprise, it still could’ve made the big reveal a little more exciting.
The major problem is that the episode tells viewers the truth instead of showing them.
As a TV adaptation, it could have gotten creative and included flashbacks of a young Magwitch and Compeyson or followed the book more closely and captured the slow and agonizing way in which Pip puts together the entire shocking truth.
Instead, in its rush to tie things up, Jaggers and John Wemmick rather unceremoniously retell the story, making much of the episode underwhelming.
Meanwhile, in a development that feels hugely out of place in this episode, Herbert is presented to Estella as a second choice for marriage.
Drummle is Estella’s only suitor in the book, making this an unforeseen development. Given the source material, it’s hard to believe that Estella will marry Herbert instead of Drummle, making the storyline feel largely like filler.
Fortunately, a significant development in Pip’s story makes up for the rushed Magwitch reveal and strange marriage situation. Pip finally shows his true nature when Joe comes to try to take him home.
Pip’s outburst, how he sneers at Joe, and the mention of Biddy shows how much wealth has changed him in such a short time. It drives home the underlying theme of the corrupting nature of wealth and power.
Pip turns his back on true love in a mad search for wealth, and it seems to mark the final stage in his downward spiral. He cuts off his last ties to his previous self, rejects the chance to turn back, and fully embraces the coldness and cruelty that Jaggers embodies.
The series has slowly and effectively built up to Pip’s downfall, making this climax especially satisfying, tragic, and believable.
However, the disproportionate amount of attention and detail devoted to each development in this episode and the uneven pacing makes one nervous about how the finale will play out.
What did you think of this episode of Great Expectations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Great Expectations airs Sundays on Hulu.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Rachel Ulatowski
Rachel Ulatowski is a freelance writer from Oshkosh with a penchant for TV, film, and celebrity news. Her work can also be found on Screen Rant, The Mary Sue, and Monsters and Critics. When she's not writing professionally, she enjoys blogging, running, watching film and television, and conducting research for her future novel.