For PBS’ second episode of Victoria, we find our young queen torn between her duty to country, her duty to get married and her crush on the Prime Minister.
Last week’s introduction to Alexandrina Victoria, the girl who became England’s greatest queen during the height of their empire, was a less than impressive one. From a schoolgirl who carried a doll, to an impetuous new queen who forced ladies in waiting to have shameful procedures and Prime Ministers to do the impolitic thing, it seemed like ITV and PBS had semi-reduced this historical figure into the Kardashian of her day.
"George: “I might be the midget’s husband, but I would not be the master in my own house. No thank you.”"
But as we all know, when your rulership has hit an embarrassing bottom, there’s little place to go but up. And having taken Victoria’s low points in the first two episodes and smooshing them together, PBS effectively got them out of the way. That leaves us room this week to see Victoria begin to grow and make better life choices.
Image via ITV
Well, ok, maybe not better life choices (not quite yet anyway). But certainly better ruling choices. As we discussed last week, ITV made Victoria with an eye at aping all of Downton‘s hallmarks that were favored among the fans. And one of those was referencing slightly obscure moments in UK history. Last week it was the Bedchamber Crisis. This week’s historically accurate subplot concerned the “Newport Rising”, which was the last major rebellion on British soil by its subjects against the monarchy. (It was also the last major civil massacre conducted by the British government against it’s own citizens, killing 22 demonstrators.) As we see in this episode, those involved were to be executed, but Victoria commuted their sentences at the last minute, sending them to Australia instead. (Whether what swayed her was indeed her glove selling lady’s maid having a family member involved is highly doubtful. But it played nicely into Victoria‘s other choice of having the upstairs-downstairs dynamic every week.)
"Victoria: “I think you forget, that I am of a royal line that stretches back a thousand years. Whereas you are king of Belgium. A country that did not exist a decade ago.”"
If only all Victoria’s choices this week showed such emotional growth. Instead, this week’s episode was once again overshadowed by the instance of Victoria’s crush on her prime minister as some sort of “star-crossed romance.” One may debate whether or not Lord M was still in love with his late wife–in terms of historical accuracy, apparently he and his wife did reconcile prior to her death, after she publicly cheated on him with Lord Byron. But was it a polite fiction to save a Queen’s face after she rashly all but proposed marriage to him in the middle of a garden where all and sundry could hear her? The world may never know, but Rufus Sewell’s face seemed to suggest that he would have married to Queen in a heartbeat if he could. I mean, for the costume ball she goes as Elizabeth I and he goes as Earl Of Leicester (Elizabeth’s favorite companion.) Talk about costuming as a couple.
Image via ITV
One almost can’t blame Victoria throwing herself at Melbourne, considering that her other suitors are the world’s biggest drags. All of whom also show up at the costumed ball, and in costumes that are even bigger drags. There’s Grand Duke Alexander, who is Russian and unsuitable and far too ready to be handsy in stiff upper lip England. At least no one seems to be championing him except himself. There’s Prince George Cambridge, who the scheming Duke who wants Victoria’s throne has decided is his winning card. Except the boy who doesn’t know when to stop talking, and sneers his way right out of having chance one with the queen. (Protip: never call the girl you’re trying to woo a midget.) And then there’s Albert, who can’t be bothered to show up until the end credits, and then interrupted her piano playing. RUDE. Let’s hope that very hipster set of mustaches can find a way to make up for it next week.
"Francatelli: “You really think the German sausage will tempt our virgin queen? I think my sixpence is quite safe”"
Of course (SPOILER ALERT) we know that Albert will in fact do just that. But in terms of setting up Victoria’s other suitors, the show nicely set them up and then efficiently knocked them down again to clear the path for our pianist interruptus. The only minor irritation is this means that Leopold, King of Belgium (a country that did not exist a decade ago!) will in fact be the successful marriage broker in the game of “set up the Queen.”
Image via ITV
Perhaps letting Leopold win one is for the best though, since Victoria needs that mother’s side of the family to get back on her side again after that fast one she pulled on Sir John Conroy. Talk about making a man an offer he can’t refuse. One almost wished for The Godfather theme to start playing in the background as Sir John found himself in possession of one of those highly coveted dancing with Her Highness. By the time the Queen was done, Sir John found himself with the promise of a title and a pension if only he would go to Ireland and never annoy her (or control her mother) again. What was he going to do? Say no?
"Duke Of Cumberland: “George, you should go to the royal box now, before she sits on that Russian’s lap.”"
That move my have removed a very large thorn in Victoria’s ruling style, but it also guarantees that just about everyone is romantically unhappy by the end of the hour. (And no a larger allowance for clothes is not going to make up for it.) Victoria is unhappy because Lord M knows better than to marry her. Her mother is unhappy because no man will be able to use his way into her affections again while Victoria has her eye on things. The Duke of Cumberland is unhappy because George couldn’t keep his mouth shut. And though Mrs. Jenkins is at least relieved her godson (nephew?) isn’t going to be hanged, Skerrett is unhappy since no good deed goes unpunished. And her punishment is that the Evil Chef Francatelli is now digging into er surprisingly colorful past. Perhaps Evil Butler Thomas Barrow has been giving lessons?
Next: Victoria Season 1 Recap: “Doll 123/Ladies In Waiting”
Next week, Albert will get more than a cameo appearance. He might even get to say something on camera! How will Lord M take being replaced so quickly in Victoria’s affections after turning down her offer? Let the smolder off begin!