The episode opens at a party with Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright), Lord Netherbury (Rupert Vansittart), and the Duke of Rochester (Miles Jupp) talking. When Clara Dunn Trenchard (Harriet Slater) begins to sing, the men turn to listen. Frederick asks the Duchess of Rochester (Sophie Winkleman) about Clara. The Duchess tells him that when Clara’s father died recently, he left his family nearly penniless. She introduces them. Clara claims her father was her best friend and they enjoyed the same things. Frederick invites her to go riding with him. She readily accepts.

Clara receives a dressage whip from Frederick. Mrs. Dunn (Sophie Thompson) claims Lady Harrow said he is loaded. Emily Dunn (Hannah Onslow) unenthusiastically watches Clara open another gift a riding outfit. Mrs. Dunn urges Clara to cherish each moment.

During a walk, Frederick tells Clara that he in his father’s former house in Eaton Square. She asks if he is happy there. Surprised by her question, he says they should head back. She stumbles while trying to mount her house. He catches her and lovingly kisses her hand. He apologizes before inviting her to ride with him on Friday. Upon returning home, Emily suggests Clara should have declined Frederick’s invitation. Clara admits to highly anticipating their date. Emily says he seems proud. Clara describes him as being a bit shy which she finds lovely.

During a walk, Clara claims to have felt terrible when her freshly picked field poppies died. Frederick gently grabs her hand before they continue their walk. Later, the Duke tells Frederick about what a charming man Algernon Dunn was. He says Algernon wrote him a letter voicing concern about his family before he died. He is surprised to learn that Frederick is serious about Clara. Frederick asks for his opinion on whether Clara would have him. The Duke assures him that she will before warning of there being no dowry. Frederick admits to hoping for a wife he can love, not be indebted to.

Frederick recalls being harshly mistreated by his father. Later, Mrs. Dunn tells Frederick that Algernon was content with his daughter. While eavesdropping, Emily and Clara hear their mother sound aghast before she bursts through the door. Clara joins Frederick in the sitting room. He proposes and she accepts. Later, they are wed.

An opera singer (Jamie MacDougall) performs while Clara and Frederick have dinner. An Italian artist (Luca Matteo Zizzari) gives her a portrait of herself. She says it is her first souvenir. He warns that her flattery is a ploy. When she offers to return it, he apologizes for being jealous. Later, they try to consummate their marriage but he is plagued by flashbacks of his father’s cruel treatment. The next morning, he admits to sometimes feeling betrayed. She asks him to explain before laying her head on his shoulder.

Miss Hetty (Erika Poole) and Miss Constance greet Emily at church. Constance points out that Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo) has returned from his retreat.

Mr. Enright (Gerard Horan) introduces his wife, Mrs. Enright (Ellie Piercy) to Clara. She asks if Oliver was kind. He describes him as a “fine man”. Frederick introduces Clara to her maid, Mrs. Davidson (Elaine Cassidy). Mrs. Enright teases Mr. Enright about not paying her enough attention. He calls her claim foolish. Later, Mrs. Davidson appears surprised to see Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) in the servant’s hall. She tells the other servants about being Lady Frances Paine’s maid until she married and moved to the country. The servants discuss Clara. Mr. Enright assure them that Frederick chose well.

Frederick informs Ross (David Fynn) of his aim to increase his investment return. Ross advises against it. Before leaving, Frederick says to set up an allowance for Mrs. Dunn.

Clara and Mrs. Davidson are passing by a house when Peter (Jonas Salmela Stratis) darts through the door. A man scoops Peter up while a woman urges him to bring him back inside. After an examination, Doctor Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) stresses the need for Peter to not feel trapped after a seizure He tells her about new innovative treatments for seizures. She says that would require him to leave home which she doesn’t want. He urges her to let Peter spend more time with his siblings. She warns of what his condition could do to the Duke’s career if the public found out.

Frederick watches James speak with Mr. Enright. James drops off a wedding gift for him. During dinner, Clara tells Frederick about the Rochester boy. He says it is probably nothing. He urges her to take the carriage. She reminds him of how much she likes to walk before asking him to trust her. He assures her that he does. Later, he opens the gift from James to find an emblem. He has a flashback of young James (Jax James) and Oliver Trenchard (Richard Goulding) sword fighting. Susan Trenchard (Alice Eve) says it is young Frederick’s (Jasper Bettles) turn. Oliver strikes him down with a sword and places a foot on his chest. Susan stresses the need for him to never let anyone see him cry.

Emily is in front of the church when a woman runs into horses pulling a carriage. She rushes over to help the lady when James approaches. Inside the church, the woman is being attended to. He introduces himself to Emily. She asks if he is akin to Frederick. He says they are brothers. He tells him that Clara is her sister before asking why he never officiated their wedding. He claims to have been detained.

The Duke tells Frederick that Marquis d’Etagnac (Claude Perron) moved in next door. He says her wealth mostly came from her husband but she accrued some on her own. Frederick asks about her investments The Duke suggests he ask her.

Frederick gifts Clara a necklace. Fastening the necklace around her neck, he says he would love to give her the world. She embraces him. Later, the Marquise explains how blighters got drunk on her wine when they broke into her house. The Duke asks how she escaped. She says they fled at night. She later tells Frederick about her investments.

Davidson assures Fletcher that she will never forget his face. He denies no longer being the boy he was when they knew each other 14 years ago. She says what those men did to him was despicable. She vows to never tell anyone and is embarrassed that she didn’t do something to prevent it. He assures her that she could not have stopped them. He says they killed him in a way.

The Marquise and Clara are talking when Frederick enters. She claims they were talking about him fulfilling his husbandly duty. Clara denies the accusation but he insists they leave. Upon returning home, she tries to assure him that she would never say anything critical of him. He accuses her of embarrassing him in front of the Marquise. He explains how difficult it was for him to overcome the sneers. She assures him that he is held in the highest esteem before saying he is too hard on himself. Grabbing her shawl, she stresses the need to get out of there. He apologizes and asks her to not go. She falls down the steps.

Ellerby asks Frederick to step outside before examining Clara. He asks how she fell. She claims to have been rushing down the steps when Frederick reappears. Before Ellerby leaves, Davidson assures him that Frederick is not abusing Clara. Frederick shatters James’ medallion against the wall. The episode ends.

 

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Review

While it is still too early to see which direction the series will take, there are a few things that stick out. The writing is not overly strong. The progression of the story goes from quick to a snail’s pace in minutes. I do hope Frederick’s childhood traumas are soon forgotten. Otherwise, it will become terribly repetitive.

I’m not a big fan of Marquis. She is a bit over-the-top and annoying. Mrs. Dunn is not much better. The acting is still good for the most part.

The picture quality is too perfect for 1871. It would have been more effective to push the clock back on Edinburgh and London to better portray the era.

The cinematography and acting are subpar.

The pilot episode is not enough to make me want to binge-watch the entire series even if it was available. There is plenty of room for improvement and it is just the first episode.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Belgravia: The Next Chapter recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can build your brand awareness, click here. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows, movies, celebrity happenings, and scams.