Victoria season 2 episode 3 review: Entente Cordiale

Spending most of the episode abroad ends up doing Victoria quite a lot of good, especially when it means there’s time for emotional development.

Victoria typically keeps itself to a few key locations, especially since it’s still quite early in our monarch’s reign. However, that doesn’t mean that she can’t set a precedent for going to interesting places in this week’s episode.

Perhaps presaging Victoria’s eventual moniker of “grandmother of Europe,” the impetus for the visit to France that dominates this episode is a potential marriage between the royals of Spain and France. Granted, her first idea is to write a letter, which is not well-received.

So, instead, we’re treated to scenes of Victoria exploring her lovely new ship and then meeting Louis Philippe while Albert generally looks quite sad and distracted.

Happily enough, Ernest shows up. Victoria also does her best to fit in with France — wearing actual makeup and everything. It doesn’t quite win her the affection of the people in France, but at least she fits in, right?

However, it has Albert very upset. In fact, he has quite the moment about it and all the discussions about “pleasure.” It’s been quite some time since Victoria has shown this side of him, and it’s also nice to see that for once, the queen is the reasonable, placating one. Even Ernest is disturbing him with his smoking and whatnot.

But hey, it results in Albert, Lord Paget, Ernest and Drummond all going swimming while the French prince looks on horribly confused. Even better, it results in Victoria and Wilhelmina seeing them! That’s what we call comedy. It also leads to some romance time and a deep emotional moment as Albert confesses his worries. It’s good that the show didn’t let Albert hold onto this secret forever, not just because of the emotional moment, but because of the fact that it puts Albert back into play.

Meanwhile, Louis Philippe is extremely charming until the business discussions erupt. Throughout this episode, it’s pretty clear that Victoria is a lot steadier than she used to be, both emotionally and when it comes to politics. She still doesn’t know everything, but she at least knows what she’s about a bit more than she has in the past.

The king calls her an “iron fist in a velvet glove,” and we finally see it. Although she doesn’t necessarily get what she wants, she does sum up what she has gained: a stronger relationship with her husband (and baby number three on the way).

Meanwhile, it seems that the current route for the downstairs plot is to have Skerrett deal with some jealousy, since Francatelli is receiving love letters. At least Skerret mostly spends the episode in France, so there’s no time for them to really snipe at each other, but it’s clear she’s not happy with that outcome.

Quick thoughts:

• Victoria seems to have come to better terms with being a parent. The entire episode opens on her with Vicky in her lap, and she is happy to see the two children again when she returns.
• Albert pouring ink all over a self-portrait is a little obvious.
• “France is a godless country.” / “Then you must bring your Bible.” is an amazing exchange. More of this Victoria, please.
• The Duchess of Buccleuch has a good reason for not liking France, so it’s weird that it’s continued to be played for laughs when she comments about the food.

Next: 20 supremely cozy books and movies

Victoria continues next Sunday night on PBS.