As the episode begins, Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant) meets with Peter Bessell (Alex Jennings). They discuss Grimmond stepping down. They believe that the next leader of the Liberal Party could be Deputy Prime Minister. Jeremy asks Peter about sleeping with his secretary, Elizabeth. Peter admits to hunting for the spear side when he was younger. Peter admits to being bisexual. Peter agrees to protect his friend. They agree that they’re nothing but two old queens. Then, we see Jeremy in action. He fights against tough immigration. Later, he calls Peter and explains that he has a problem. When they meet, Jeremy tells Peter that he is being blackmailed by a former lover, Norman (Ben Whishaw). We jump back into the past and see Jeremy meet Norman Josiffe. Norman tells Jeremy how he likes to work in the stables. He gives Norman a card and tells him to stop by if he is ever in London.

Before too long, Norman winds up in London with his dog. Jeremy manages to get him in. Norman admits he was a psychiatric patient. He reveals that he stole Jeremy’s letter from Norman Van De Vater (Nicholas Blane). He hands them over. Norman explains that he wishes the letters were written for him. He goes on to say that he doesn’t have his National Insurance card and will not be able to work. Eventually, Jeremy agrees to help. Jeremy takes him to his mother’s house. He gives Ursula (Patricia Hodge) a fake name for Norman. When Norman is asleep, Jeremy comes in on him. It is clear that he is prepared for intercourse. He calls Norman his bunny. He manages to talk Norman into it. In the present, Jeremy continues telling Peter his story. He admits to moving Norman out of his mother’s house and keeping him elsewhere. Their sexual relationship continues. Norman even watches Jeremy debate it out at work.

Norman starts drinking and eventually becomes upset with being left alone all day. Jeremy finds another young boy. He begins taking steps to get rid of Norman. Norman moves out. He claims that Jeremy infected him with the virus of homosexuality. Jeremy retells the story to Peter. Norman takes his story to the police station. A report is made, but it doesn’t go any further. He gives the cops some of Jeremy’s letters. Jeremy encourages Peter to get in touch with Norman and prevent him from contacting anyone or speaking about their affair. Peter manages to find Norman. In the car, they discuss terms. Norman wants his National Insurance card. He also admits he lost his luggage containing some of the letters. Jeremy quickly goes to work trying to track down the letters. Jeremy calls around, but has no luck.

Peter puts his secretary Diana Stainton (Naomi Battrick) on the job. She manages to track down the suitcase. Jeremy goes with her to pick it up. He stops at his flat and runs inside with the case. While Diana is locked out, he rips up the letters and flushes them in the toilet. Peter asks Jeremy whether he loved Norman. He refuses to say. Later, Peter is confronts by Leo Abse (Anthony O’Donnell). Leo wants to put a bill forward to legalize homosexuality. He tells Jeremy how he managed to get Boofy’s support. Jeremy confirms to Peter that he agreed to support the bill. Thrope continues moving up in the party. He eventually becomes leader of the liberal party. Jeremy contemplates getting married, because it might get him more votes. Norman heads to Dublin. He gets involved with a woman who runs a fashion shop. He also becomes a model. At first, things go great with Lyn (Michelle Fox).

However, Norman soon spirals out of control. Jeremy gets married and has a kid. Norman loses his job. He calls Jeremy’s home and gets in touch with his new wife. He tells her about the affair and tells her that Jeremy needs to get him his National Insurance card. Jeremy tries to explain things to his wife. She just doesn’t want to hear about it. At the end of the episode, Jeremy tells Peter that they’re going to need to kill Norman. That is the only way to stop him from ruining them and the party.

 

A Very English Scandal Review

A Very English Scandal indeed started off on a good note. The episode was slightly difficult to follow, but it made a lot more sense during the second viewing. The series is even more fascinating, because it is based on a true story. The acting has been great so far. I have no complaints with it at this point in time. I know nothing about the true story, so I am eager to see how things play out. The episode was good. An 8 out of 10 is deserved.