At the start of the episode, one of the servants tries to give Henrietta (Lesley Nicol) a bath but she refuses. Moments later, Ram Lal (Amer Chadha-Patel) is forced to get rid of a scorpion for the ladies. John Beecham (Tom Bateman) and Samuel Parker (Marc Warren) continue hunting for Daniel. During this search, John has a flashback and we see that he decided to leave the army due to their brutality. Meanwhile, Margaret Osborne (Dakota Blue Richards) paints and gets a visit from General Castillion (Gregory Fitoussi). He gives her a gift and explains that he has been unable to locate her brother. When Osborne is asked if she is going to return to England, she insists she will stay now that more English people have arrived.
Bindu attempts to treat Henrietta’s bug bites. Chanchal (Shriya Pilgaonkar) enters and Henrietta decides that she wants to change the servants’ names. The General learns about the English soldiers stationed nearby and believes this will backfire on John if he is involved. Samuel and John learn that Daniel has been shot and is resting elsewhere. Violet (Bessie Carter) and Henrietta speak about Daniel and John’s decision to travel to Delhi. Violet explains that there is great fortune there. Margaret arrives moments later and interrupts their conversation. Margaret lets them know that she only recently met John Beecham. She tells them that John has not discussed private matters with her.
Baadal (Viveik Kalra) is confronted by the other servants for taking a special interest in Chanchal. Moments later, they’re shocked when another Indian woman, Chandrika (Pallavi Sharda), arrives in a luxurious carriage. Margaret and Violet watch as Chandrika enters the house and goes upstairs to check on the baby who she refers to as Agastya. Soon, she forces Ram Lal to give her a room so she can care for the baby. Henrietta gets rowdy downstairs so Chandrika confronts her and tells her to be quiet for the baby’s sake. Chandrika belittles Osborne by saying that John does not need an English governess. John finally manages to track down Daniel (Leo Suter). John apologizes for leaving him and explains that he needed to get as far away from the company as possible.
He tells Daniel that everything is different now. Castillion and his friend go to the Emperor (Roshan Seth) and tell him about John and his brother. They also let him know about Samuel Parker. Daniel and John speak about the British deaths and the company trying to expand its territory as they ride back to John’s house. Violet finds Henrietta taking opium and learns that she is nearly out. John and the group stop for a nap. When they wake up, they’re ambushed. Samuel fires his gun and they get away without any difficulty. The following day, John arrives home with his brother and Samuel Parker. Henrietta confronts her son and tells him about the new arrival. John heads upstairs and speaks with Chandrika in private. He is worried that someone will see her and it will ruin everything.
John is concerned that her presence might put their son in danger. Chandrika admits that she wanted to see John too. John returns to his mother and tells her that Chandrika has August’s best interests at heart. Moments later, Henrietta is taken to Daniel. They head inside and it appears that Daniel is interested in Chanchal. They continue asking John questions about marriage and the baby but he doesn’t answer them. Moments later, John speaks with Murad Beg (Adil Ray) about the gift for the empress. John admits he is perplexed by the decision. He is told to choose a gift that will excite her imagination. John gives Margaret a gift from his library. He wants to make sure that she was not offended in his house.
She admits that she was offended by Chandrika. She asks if Chandrika is the boy’s mother but John refuses to answer that question. Osborne doesn’t believe that Henrietta approves of her either. John tells her that she has his word that she will always be welcome in his house but she isn’t having it. Daniel gets flirty with Chanchal. He follows her as she goes to get milk but it doesn’t go any further than that. Daniel returns to the house and sits down with Violet and his mother. He tells his mother that it is insulting to change the names of the servants. Daniel learns about his mother’s wish to hook Violet up with John.
Meanwhile, John speaks with Ram Lal about wishing to let go of the past. We see more flashbacks of John with an Indian woman. After that, John returns to Margaret once again. He tells her that her presence at his house would make him very happy. He explains that he cannot go home since everything he lives for is in Delhi. He pleads with her to stay. Roshanara interrupts and reminds Osborne that it is time for her piano recital. John returns home and tells Samuel that they need to hurry and get the trading license or he will not be able to provide for his family.
He has decided to give the empress an automaton or a moving sculpture. Later, Henrietta finds Chandrika saying a prayer for August to settle him. Henrietta tries to take the baby. Violet tries to convince Henrietta to calm down while John tells Samuel that he knows an Arab artist who can help. They suggest casting the sculpture in gold. Baadal interrupts and requests John’s help dealing with the Henrietta situation. Chanchal and Daniel lock eyes as they listen and enjoy the argument. John’s mom demands to know who Chandrika is. John explains that she is August’s aunt. He tells the group that nobody can know that she is there. He is a widower. He says that August’s mother would have wanted her sister to help raise the boy.
John says that everyone he loves is in this room. He wants everyone to stay in Delhi and make a life together.
Beecham House Review
I thought the first two episodes of Beechman House were okay but I will say that Henrietta is beyond annoying. She nearly ruined the episode at several points. I wish they would send her home or tone her down a bit. I hope they come clean with John’s secrets and move past that too. I am more interested in seeing if he is able to impress the emperor and obtain the trading license. The series is nowhere near the best I have seen but it isn’t horrible either. It is just mediocre at this point.
It likely could be better though. I am not sure we’ll ever see a second series so I hope this one has a satisfying ending. I will stick with it though. The episode was decent and scores a 7 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Beecham House before you go!
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
