The Marriage – As the episode of Flowers in the Attic: The Origin begins, Olivia Foxworth writes her last will and testament as she says some people would call her a monster. She asks the viewer to withhold judgment until they know the true story. Olivia Winfield (Jemima Rooper) talks to her maid about revenge before rushing out of the house. Although it was unusual for a woman at the time, Olivia goes to work. Once she arrives late, she tells her father Mr. Winfield (Harry Hamlin) that she has flagged inconsistencies between ports of entry and exit. They discuss a possible expansion into the Mediterranean since the war will eventually end. He asks her to read it this afternoon because an associate from Virginia will be dining at the house tonight. Mr. Winfield makes sure she knows the man is unattached.

Olivia isn’t interested in being a part of another failed matchmaking scheme by her father. She learns he is a Foxworth and the sole heir to the Foxworth mining fortune. Olivia doesn’t think Malcolm Foxworth (Max Irons) would be interested and her time for romance has passed too. She is reminded that her mother always wanted her to find a husband. When Olivia goes to dinner, she is introduced to Malcolm. They also get a visit from Olivia’s cousin John Amos (Paul Wesley). They pray once they sit down at the table. Malcolm says he believes that religion, wealth, and emotion are food for personal thought and not for the dinner table. Malcolm thinks Olivia keeps the home so she explains she works with her father downtown. Malcolm confirms he will be returning to Foxworth Hall tomorrow.

Olivia soon learns Malcolm is considering purchasing the merchant marine fleet because postwar economies quickly turn. She doesn’t think it is appropriate to take advantage of a nation in need of healing. He says business is the business of men, but Olivia thinks that will change when women get the right to vote. Malcolm asks if he can call on her tomorrow instead of returning to Foxworth Hall. For the first time in her life, Olivia could not read. The romance in her real life had eclipsed that of the stories in her books. He shows up at the house the next day with a gift that she can use for work. He suggests they can talk about what she does while they walk. Once Malcolm asks her father, Olivia makes it clear that he only needs her permission and he has it. While they walk, they discuss what it is like for Olivia to work since it is unorthodox.

Olivia would enjoy it if she didn’t have to challenge conventions. He admits he got a table for dinner. During dinner, Malcolm says his father has been traveling in retirement while his mother passed when he was five. His mother’s passing made him a man. When he is asked about Foxworth Hall, Malcolm says it is more than a home. It is his family’s history and future which he hopes is an empire. The next day, Olivia gives her father a letter that he supposedly wrote to Foxworth’s business colleagues in Virginia and didn’t sign. She says he was curious about Malcolm’s family and background. Olivia confesses she needs to know what she is getting herself into before Malcolm visits. She admits it was too late because she was already in. When she receives the letter, it mostly confirms everything they already know.

They also learn that her mother didn’t die when he was a boy. They wonder what else he might be lying about. Malcolm arrives and takes Olivia for another walk. She admits she inquired about his family and learned about his mother dying recently. Malcolm admits that his mother abandoned him and his father. He hadn’t heard anything about her until he learned about her death not too long ago. His mother died to him when he was young because she left them. Although she apologizes, Malcolm says he finds her inquisitive nature intriguing. He goes on to tell her how he lost all track of time when he met her. He thinks they should make it a lifetime so he proposes. She accepts the proposal.

Amos visits her to give her a gift for her big day. It is a letter opener. Olivia says this is what she wants before her father enters and Amos leaves. Her father tells her that everyone is going to look at her differently once she gets married, but she should never look at herself differently. He encourages her not to forget who she is and to let her heart be her compass. Mr. Winfield gives her a cross necklace that her mother always wanted her to have. Once she gets married, Olivia admits she didn’t know the blue sky was about to turn a dark shade of gray. As they ride together, Malcolm tells her she’ll get used to the darkness since Foxworth Hall doesn’t have electric lights. She suggests going to Venice for their honeymoon, but Malcolm says they’ll talk about that later.

She is told that supervising Foxworth Hall will be a full-time job. Mrs. Steiner (Kate Mulgrew) and the other staff members greet them when they arrive. As they go inside, Olivia is told she’ll be shown to her room since much awaits her. Nella (T’Shan Williams) is put in charge of taking care of her. Once she takes her to her room, Nella reminds her to ring her if she needs anything. Nothing could prepare Olivia for what happened that night. Nothing happened because Malcolm never came to her bedroom. When she goes down to breakfast, she asks Mrs. Steiner when Malcolm will be joining them only to learn he already left the town. He requested Steiner show her something. She is thrilled when she is shown all the books in the home.

Then, Steiner leads her to a hidden room that is going to her office and Malcolm wanted to show her. Olivia will be conducting the business of Foxworth from here. Steiner warns her Malcolm doesn’t like people roaming about although Olivia doesn’t think she is one of those people. Olivia tries to get her to tell her more about the family’s history as she learns Steiner’s mother worked here too. Foxworth Hall has been since her birth and she was raised here alongside Mr. Garland Foxworth (Kelsey Grammer). Olivia wants her to be her guide since she can’t run the business of Foxworth Hall if she is not acquainted with it. When Steiner says she is needed in the kitchen, Olivia tells her she should get to it then. Olivia goes to Nella to see if she’ll guide her around the home.

They talk about how dark it is before Nella says the first Mr. Foxworth made his fortune in mining. Olivia wants to know who they were and what made them smile. Nella can’t tell her so Olivia says it is a mystery she’ll have to solve herself. Olivia admits her dull home felt more alive than Foxworth Hall. Nella says Mr. Foxworth likes them to keep things as they are. As they tour the east wing, Olivia finds it odd to see a lock on the outside of a bedroom door. Then, she approaches another door that Nella says is off-limits. Olivia doesn’t think it should be off-limits to her or Nella when she is with her. Olivia thanks her for the tour and dismisses her. Before Nella leaves, she tells her to be careful up there. Olivia goes into the attic. It is the place where families hide their stories and secrets.

She admits she should’ve let those secrets rest in peace, but she was young and wanted answers. She finds a handprint on the window and “Malcolm was here” carved into the table. While most of the items are covered in dust, a painting of a woman is not. She believes that was Malcolm’s mother Corrine Foxworth. She is spooked by a bunch of rats and ends up falling to the ground. Once she manages to escape, she promises herself she’ll never return to the attic again. She would keep that promise for nearly 30 years. Malcolm finds her in one of the other rooms and sternly tells her to get out now. He tells her that his mother’s personal possessions are in the attic and they’re not to be disturbed. When she tries to find out why, Malcolm argues some things should be left as they are.

Malcolm describes his mother as frivolous, self-indulgent, and narcissistic, but they agree that she was beautiful. After Olivia says her clothes felt lovely, Malcolm offers to show her his mother’s room properly this time. Once they go inside, Malcolm reveals they spent many wonderful days in this bedroom since his father was away most of the time. They only had each other for companionship until his mother’s 22nd birthday. He intended to give her a music box as a birthday gift, but she was already gone. He talks about watching his mother put on her makeup and telling her when it was perfect. Although he doesn’t think Olivia wears any, she does. Her mother says you’re wearing it wrong if people can tell you’re wearing it.

Malcolm asks her to take it off because he wants to see her. He wants to make sure she won’t be anything like his mother. When she tries to kiss him, Malcolm pulls back and asks her to go back to her room. Olivia admits she had never felt anything like this shame before. Later, Malcolm receives a telegram confirming the war has ended and suggests it could be a sign of good things to come. When Steiner asks about the menu for the wedding party, Malcolm tells her to proceed as instructed. Steiner tries to leave only to be stopped by Olivia who didn’t dismiss her. She reminds them that this house and its daily activities will be her responsibility now and that includes the wedding party since it is in the house. Malcolm makes it clear that this is about the community learning they have a new mistress.

Olivia argues that is a job for the new mistress. Before Malcolm leaves for work, he agrees to put Olivia in charge although he tells her not to disappoint. Olivia tells Steiner they’ll be changing the menu among other things. Olivia had two weeks to plan a wedding party and prove she knew how to be a wife. She is told they’ve never had such robust displays of opulence. Steiner questions the direction since they need to show a certain amount of restraint to maintain decorum. Although Steiner urges caution, Olivia reminds her that Mr. Foxworth said not to disappoint. Olivia excuses her so she can finish planning the party without her. Olivia calls Nella over to ask her about orchids. Steiner receives another telegram that surprises her.

She rips it up and stuffs the pieces in her pocket. Olivia tells Nella they did it before she goes downstairs to join Malcolm for the party. He introduces everyone to his dear wife, Mrs. Malcolm Neil Foxworth. While they dance, Malcolm complains about Olivia’s dress making her look like a common prostitute. He wanted to look nice for him since all the other women are wearing dresses like this, but Malcolm says he didn’t marry other women. He tells her that her job is to stand out and set an example for the community instead of blending in. He complains about the flowers too. Olivia admits she wanted to close her eyes, bury herself in the dark, and die. She also just wanted the party to end.

It finally did three hours later as Olivia goes back to her room to cry. When Malcolm asks her to come with him, she grabs the letter opener that Amos gave her. Olivia believes he is a monster and not a man at all. Malcolm has sex with her as she pleads with him not to. In the morning, Nella enters Olivia’s room and sees her bags are packed. She intends to visit her father. Olivia confesses she has made the gravest miscalculations in the most important decision of her life. She will be staying with her father indefinitely. When she talks to Malcolm, Olivia pretends like nothing is wrong. Nella meets Olivia with the car once Malcolm leaves for work. Olivia panics when she sees a car approaching and thinks it is Malcolm. She is surprised when Amos gets out of the car.

He was worried because she never responded to his telegrams, but Olivia says she never got any telegrams. Once they go inside, Amos tells her that her father had a cold that quickly turned into pneumonia. There was nothing to be done. Olivia wants to return with Amos since she’ll have to take care of the house and settle his business affairs. He reveals there is no house or business to return to because the debtors came for them. She didn’t know about any debt because her father hid unfortunate realities from her. He managed to save a few of her things that the servants took to her room already. She questions what she is doing to do now.

Amos believes God gave her a new house and family. She says she is truly blessed. Olivia returns to her room and finds her model house. Once they go outside, Olivia says she is going to start picking up her own mail from the post office from now on. Amos suggests her father would be so proud that she is now the mistress of this great house. He leaves. Olivia knew she was alone, but she didn’t know how she would survive. That night, Malcolm enters her room to have sex with her again. This happens multiple times until Olivia tells Malcolm she is pregnant. He is adamant that it is going to be a girl and they’re going to name her Corrine. It was 1919 which was a time when husbands could legally do as they wanted to their wives’ bodies. Since she was trapped, she started focusing on what was good and having a child.

She gives birth to a son. Malcolm isn’t thrilled that it is a boy so he asks how long it’ll be before they can try for a girl. Freedom was no longer an option. Olivia started hoping for a home for her child. She begins working with Nella to start redecorating the house with warmth and love. Malcolm gives her a list of options for governess, but Olivia is adamant that she wants to raise the child herself. He tells her to do whatever she wants with him. Their daughter will be his. Olivia gets pregnant once again. Nella rushes into the house to show Olivia a newspaper article about women winning the right to vote in the United States. Olivia gives birth to another son. Later, the doctor warns Olivia that she won’t be able to have any more children.

Malcolm complains that Olivia will deny her the one thing she wants. It was set to be Olivia, Joel, and Mal, but she loved them. She felt lucky to have two perfect boys. If they were going to have to live in a prison, she was going to make that prison a palace. Malcolm reveals his father and his new bride will be returning to Foxworth Hall. He makes it clear that Olivia will be the mistress of the house and he will be the master of the house. Garland returns home and introduces Alicia Foxworth to the family. He understands they didn’t know that they were having a child. Garland knew nothing about his son getting married or becoming a father. When Steiner calls for Mrs. Foxworth, both answer her. During dinner, Alicia asks how Olivia and Malcolm sit so far apart from one another.

Garland tells her they’re still on their honeymoon. When they’ve been married as long as them, they’ll be sitting in separate rooms. They went on a world tour for nearly two years. Olivia says it is nice to follow through on promises of travel, but Malcolm says it is a long time to be away from one’s responsibilities. Malcolm suggests Alicia can tell them all about their travels over dessert. As they head out, Malcolm tells Olivia to make sure the servants bring dessert to the veranda. Moments later, Garland and Alicia talk about going to Venice as Olivia admits she hasn’t been there. Alicia thinks she should go and Garland hopes Malcolm isn’t keeping his princess locked up in this castle. Malcolm says his wife is no princess.

Malcolm seems upset when he learns they’re going to sleep in the same room. Their joy reminded Olivia of her pain which will be there tomorrow and all the days after that. Olivia admits she focused on her children. One day, Alicia tells Olivia that she doesn’t want to be Mrs. Foxworth or at least not in that way. She is glad Olivia is the mistress of the house because she couldn’t do it. She asks for Olivia’s friendship since she is already lonely after a day. Olivia admits it took her longer to get lonely. They agree to be friends. Olivia suggests coming more hydrangeas since Malcolm hates them. Malcolm complains about them during dinner so Alicia takes responsibility for bringing them in. He says they’re not so bad when someone with an eye for beauty picks them.

As Olivia’s affection for her stepmother grew, her husband’s interest in his stepmother grew too. Things would soon change since Alicia would have a baby. Garland is thrilled to see his boy who he quickly called Christopher. Later, Nella talks to Olivia about Alicia. She tells Olivia that Mr. Foxworth loves beautiful things like houses, art, and women. Nella encourages Olivia to look out for the other Mrs. Foxworth. Alicia asks Olivia if she’d like to go for a swim in the lake to cool off, but Olivia tells her to go cool off for both of them. Malcolm follows her when he watches her leave. He watches her swim from a distance. Steiner visits Olivia because she’ll be helping her until they find Nella’s replacement. Olivia is surprised to leave that Mr. Foxworth asked her to leave.

When Olivia walks through the hallway, she hears Alicia scream from nearby and rushes to see what is going on. Garland is on the ground while Alicia yells for someone to call a doctor. Olivia notices that Malcolm has wounds on his arm. Later, Garland’s body is taken out of the house. Dr. Curtis hopes to have answers for the poor woman after the autopsy. Olivia says she has already been through so much and doesn’t think she could handle the idea of an autopsy. She offers to show their appreciation to the hospital if he doesn’t put her through more trauma. Once the doctor agrees and leaves, Olivia tries to comfort Alicia. Foxworth Hall claims its first victim in Garland Foxworth. Olivia wondered who would be next. After a few months, it appeared that Alicia would be the next victim.

Alicia talks to Olivia later and suggests she must understand. She eventually reveals that Malcolm attacked her. He came in here and forced himself on her. Although Alicia tried to resist him, Malcolm wouldn’t stop. When Garland walked in, Malcolm had ripped her nightgown. Garland was no match for Malcolm. He pinned him against the wall, kept him there, and Olivia knows what happened next. Olivia apologizes and says it is over now so they should never speak of it again, but Alicia says it isn’t over. Malcolm’s visits haven’t stopped and he warned Alicia that he’d hurt Christopher if she resisted him. He would take her to his mother’s room before forcing himself on her. Olivia encourages her to go even though she is her friend. She tells her to take her son and her inheritance. Alicia confesses it is too late for her because she is pregnant with Malcolm’s baby.

Olivia runs out of the house and begins crying. She remembers what her father said about her heart being her compass. She goes to the kitchen to retrieve a knife from Steiner because she wanted to cut his throat. Instead, she kills dinner and asks for a horse to ride. She visits Nella while covered in blood. After getting an apology, Nella agrees to come to Foxworth Hall tomorrow. When Nella shuts the door, she tells her daughter that it is okay since she is gone. Her daughter doesn’t know why she didn’t tell her, but Nella says they’re friends. Celia (Evelyn Miller) doesn’t think she should go back to that place. During dinner, Olivia says she gave Malcolm his prized lamb before he took everything else. She doesn’t think Alicia will be joining them for a while since she is mourning her loss.

When he goes to his office, he screams for Olivia to complain about her desk being in there. She admits she made some changes, but Malcolm says he won’t tolerate such insolence. He doesn’t like seeing her pour a drink. Olivia asks what he has been doing and why he has been doing it. She says this is about how they move forward if they decide to move forward. Olivia wants to know why he married her. If he wanted someone in his staff to abuse, he could’ve picked someone easier to silence. Malcolm confesses he wanted a woman with a mind to run the house and a body to produce healthy offspring. He thinks he was wrong since she only produced two weak boys. She tells him the child he was having with his stepmother will be here in nine months.

Malcolm is thrilled since he thinks it is going to be a girl, but Olivia says it is a bastard and he has Garland’s blood on his hands. He thinks they can send Alicia away for a year so nobody will know how old the child is when they return. Olivia admits she could tell, but she wouldn’t since it would make her look bad. Instead, she would tell everyone how Garland died. Although Malcolm says he had a heart attack, Olivia thinks otherwise. She admits that she wants to destroy him. She can’t do that because it would hurt her too. Olivia says Alicia’s bags will be packed and she’ll be sent away for all the servants to witness. Once night falls, Alicia will return and begin staying in the East Wing. She also says Nella will be returning because she likes her. Olivia explains that they’ll pretend to be pregnant and they’ll take Alicia’s child to raise as their own.

As for Alicia, she will be sent away with Christopher and her inheritance which will double immediately following her birth. Malcolm will not be allowed in the east wing during the duration of Alicia’s confinement. If she learns that he broke this rule, she’ll tell everyone the truth. He will set up trusts for the boys with 2 million dollars each so they will be free of him and the house. Malcolm gets mad and almost hits her until she tells him that he raped her. He eventually agrees and leaves. Olivia wasn’t able to tell her story during her life, but she can do so now. She believes she could’ve found happiness if her story had ended here, but it didn’t. It was just the beginning because the best kind of revenge takes time.

 

 

Flowers In The Attic: The Origin Review

For a Lifetime series, Flowers in the Attic: The Origin was competent and mostly interesting although a bit longwinded. Fans of the Dollanganger series will likely enjoy getting to learn more about Olivia’s past. The series doesn’t attempt to do anything revolutionary although it sticks with the basics pretty well. It’ll be interesting to see how much is changed from the original source material since it is already obvious that changes are coming.

The casting could’ve been more believable and some characters are distracting. While most of the acting is good, the accents can be distracting at times. We have a British actor attempting to portray the southern accent of a Virginian. It likely would’ve been better to just drop the accent because it isn’t working. Certain lines are okay, but it sounds like the accent is just disappearing and returning out of the blue.

It would’ve been innovative to just hire a legitimate southern actor to play the role if the accent was paramount to the story. It’ll likely be difficult to care for any of the characters although that may not matter in the long run. This isn’t bad for a Lifetime series though. It may be a good addition to the modern series after four episodes. Time will tell.

The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Flowers in the Attic The Origin can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our work at this link.