The Forsytes Season 1 Episode 4 Review

Well, book readers have been waiting to see Soames’ other side, and it finally shows up on The Forsytes Season 1 Episode 4. Irene’s story about releasing a pet bird because her mother didn’t think it should be caged is the most on-the-nose foreshadowing possible.

Life is grand in Paris for the young lovebirds until reality sets in and Irene shows him the bohemian lifestyle being a ballerina involves. Genuine question, did Soames not know ballet involves dancing in a leotard that he was that scandalized by one performance?

You have to give Joshua Orpin credit though; his performance had me thoroughly convinced that maybe this version of Soames wouldn’t be a controlling monster. He seemed so smitten and ready to break out of the Forsyte mold.

Unfortunately, there’s only room for one free-spirited lover boy, and that’s Jo, who still can’t get a handle on the whole future leader of the company thing. It does help that we actually get some relatable motive for why Jolyon Sr. cares so much about the succession.

The idea isn’t explored that in-depth, but the references to Jolyon Sr. and James’ father forcing them into a rivalry and how it cost them a woman they loved helps humanize the characters some. They, especially James, can seem a little cartoonish so it’s refreshing to see them act like real people for once.

It makes sense that Jo, frustrated by his own duties and responsibilities, is amenable to June getting engaged to Phillip as long as he can get a job. Frances accuses him of living vicariously, and I don’t think she’s completely wrong, but he also shrewdly points out that their puppy love will either endure the engagement period or fizzle out.

Unfortunately for Frances, the Louisa problem isn’t going away either. Mrs. Barrington decides to trot her out in front of the ladies society to prove that unmarried women who have children aren’t a blight on society and deserve support.

It’s incredibly brave of Louisa to admit to all her rich clientele she was lying about being a widow, but it does seem to move the crowd. It’s not clear what purpose this storyline serves other than to send Frances into another meltdown, but it’s a nice respite from the traditional “rich people problems” of the show.

Combined with adding in Phillip as a more important character, hopefully there is more of an upstairs-downstairs feeling because the upstairs is getting tiresome.

When Mrs. Barrington later mentions to Frances that Louisa’s children are very ill, it proves a pivotal turning point. She chooses NOT to tell Jo and instead he finds out through a friend’s wife who was also present for the conversation.

His decision to rush off to them and then not return to his marriage bed insinuates he knows Frances was hiding it from them. She’s been incredibly pushy about Louisa, but is this the final straw when it comes to Jo accepting his wife’s behavior?

The Forsytes is finally finding its footing in managing all of the melodrama and turning it into something more cohesive and watchable. It’s still a long way from appointment television, but I actually find myself caring what happens next which is a huge improvement.

What did you think of this episode of The Forsytes? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

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The Forsytes airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.

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