As the episode opens, Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo) visits the church. Elsewhere, Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) interrogates Clara Trenchard (Harriet Slater) about her connection to James. She claims to have thought bringing him and James together could help him. He asks if she sees him as an injured creature who needs help. She says James genuinely desires to reconcile with him. He assures her that she does not know James. At the church, James lays down on the pew.

Madeleine Enright (Ellie Piercy) tells Robert (Jordan Scowen) that she and Mr. Enright (Gerard Horan) worked at Glanville when Frederick and James were young. He questions why they never reconciled like he and his brother after a fight. Mr. Enright orders the servants to not speak of the incident inside or outside the house. Once alone, Mr. Enright said he failed Frederick by not warning him. Madeleine urges him to stay out of it.

Emily Dunn (Hannah Onslow) lets James sample her grandmother’s recipe. He describes it as the “finest fruit cake that he ever tasted”. She briefly asks about his and Clara’s meeting.

After receiving a message, Clara and Mrs. Davison (Elaine Cassidy) meet James at the park. He apologizes for visiting their house. She assures him that it is her fault. He urges her to not think badly of Frederick because it is not his fault. She claims Frederick said a dying Oliver Trenchard did not want him at his bedside. He says their mother asked for Frederick when she was dying but he never came. She expresses her desire to understand. He vows to bear the loss of Frederick before asking if she will always be there for him. She promises. Elsewhere, Miss Hetty, Miss Constance (Patricia England), and Emily meet to discuss the church bazaar. James finds a slice of Emily’s fruit cake on his desk.

Frederick gives Percy, the Duke of Rochester (Miles Jupp) a tour of Abercrombie Foundry. They drink to Frederick’s success. Percy says he was propositioned by Marquise d’Etagnac (Claude Perron) to invest in a silver mine in Mexico. Claiming to be familiar with the project, Frederick asks when he talked to her. He says a week ago.

Clara invites Frederick to an art exhibition. Claiming to be too busy, he urges her to attend. He pleads with her to not mention things that cause him discomfort. Elsewhere, Nell (Lauren McQueen) questions if the dead are lonely. James suggests people in Heaven feel loved. She says about those not in Heaven at no fault of their own. Emily pulls him away to discuss the fundraiser. Upon walking away, Emily asks Nell to wash the teacups.

Richard Dearden (Leonard Buckley) greets Clara and Mrs. Davison as they arrive at the art exhibit. Elsewhere, Ross (David Fynn) denies any knowledge of a Mexican silver mine. Frederick makes a sarcastic comment about his constant boasting before leaving. Back at the art exhibit, Emily asks Doctor Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) if one can push someone too hard to confront their fears. He says anyone asked to face their fears would exhibit some resistance. He warns that the individual must want to change. He points out that she seems a bit sad. She assures him that she is fine. He invites her to see Dearden at work.

Emily finds Nell playing Chopin on the piano. Nell denies remembering where she learned to play it. Emily points out that she remembered all the notes. Elsewhere, Amelia (Jayda Eyles) asks Mary, the Duchess of Rochester (Sophie Winkleman) if she can visit Peter (Jonas Salmela Stratis). Mary reminds her that Peter is ill.

James invites Mrs. Warren (Julie Barclay) to join him for dinner. She says her family is waiting for her. Elsewhere, Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) asks Mrs. Davison if she ever considered marriage. She admits to liking her own way. Clara is disappointed when Frederick does not come to her room. Fletcher visits a sauna where he sees James hook up with a man. Upon returning home, James breaks down sobbing.

Mr. Enright gives Mawdie (Daisy Sequerra) a letter and money. Robert retrieves some coins before replacing an empty wine bottle. Mawdie drops the letter off at the post office. The Postmistress (Peta Cornish) refuses to tell her where it is going. Clara learns that Frederick left early for an appointment.

Mary demands Dawes (Clara Coughlan) not increase Peter’s dosage because he already sleeps too much. When Percy asks if there is a problem, she says nothing that he would want to concern himself with.

Mrs. Dunn (Sophie Thompson) finds Emily going through Nell’s belongings. Emily claims to be looking for a missing handkerchief. Mrs. Dunn asks if Nell is stealing. Emily sarcastically describes her mind as dark and suspicious before ordering her out of Nell’s room.

Frederick updates the Marquise on the foundry. Charlie Bricus (Josh Cowdery) arrives demanding to see her. He scolds her for refusing to let him in on the silver mine investment while his friends are making lots of money. After returning home, he refuses to spend time with Clara. She pleads with him to not shut her out. She suggests he rejects love from those who offer it before pointing out his selfishness.

Percy and Peter read “Marmaduke, The Tale of a Mischievous Kitten.” Mary listens. She complains about the amount of time Peter spends sleeping. She says there is so much more for their beautiful boy before breaking down in tears.

Davison tries to convince Clara to not visit Dearden’s residence. Clara says it is his art studio. They find Ellerby holding Minette. Annie Harper (Nenda Neururer) is posing for Dearden when they enter the art studio. Clara admires his piece, “Dido, Queen of Carthage”. He invites her to pose for him but she refuses. She adds a touch of paint to the piece. Frederick is forced to go to the Rochesters alone. Ellerby introduces Clara to Theo (Thomas Josling), Archibald, and Olive. Frederick returns home to find Clara out. He finds the drawing from his and James’ nursery in her book. James leads a church service when Gorton (James Oliver Wheatley) arrives. Frederick sniffs Clara’s pillow. Ellerby stares at Clara as the episode ends.

 

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Review

Frederick pours himself into his new foundry project. Clara pleads with him to not block her out. She invites him to Dearden’s art exhibit. When he refuses, she and Mrs. Davison go alone. Ellerby invites her to visit Dearden’s art studio at their flat. She skips the Rochester engagement to hang out with Ellerby and his friends. Frederick goes to the Rochesters alone.

Percy spends time with Peter. Mary expresses her disapproval of how much he is sleeping. She believes there is much more for him than sleeping.

Fletcher sees James hook up with Gorton at a sauna. James is leading a service when Gorton shows up. He struggles with Frederick’s refusal to accept him as part of his life.

Emily becomes suspicious of Nell when she hears her playing a Chopin song on the piano. Nell refuses to open up about her past.

Frederick is none too thrilled to learn that the Marquise offered Percy an investment proposal in a silver mine in Mexico and not him.

 

The episode deserves a 5 out of 10. Get more Belgravia: The Next Chapter recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new TV series, scams, sports, and more.