At the beginning of the episode, Julia Day (Julia Ormond) speaks about someone coming along and exploding your past life. She is wearing a wedding dress. She takes off her ring, jumps into her vehicle, and drives away in a hurry. We jump back one year. After the intro, the alarm clock awakens Julia. Her son, Leo (Archie Renaux), meets her downstairs and acts like a caveman. He doesn’t remember that it is his mother’s birthday. While Patrick (Sebastian Armesto) jogs the streets, a man speaks about having a family without corrupting them. Patrick calls someone before asking Martha to get his father.

Edward comes to the phone and Patrick reminds him that it is Julia’s birthday. Meanwhile, Julia uses her senior card and rides on a train. Della (Jemima Rooper) calls moments later. She wants to sing her mother happy birthday but Julia stops her since she is on the train. Before too long, Julia arrives at the motel and checks in. Meanwhile, Patrick speaks to a female co-worker about ordering his mother flowers. She promises to take care of it. Julia gets flowers and a call from Patrick. She thanks him for the flowers. Patrick promises to make it up to her since he can’t be there.

When the call ends, Julia slams the flowers to the ground. She cancels the dinner reservations and heads out alone. She goes to a museum where she is confronted by Benjamin Greene (Ben Barnes). Julia says she worked there as a conservator. Before too long, Ben asks her out for a drink. Julia is a bit hesitant but she agrees to go out with him. They head to a small pub and Julia begins telling Ben about her children and husband. Julia also says that her ex-husband ran off with her best friend. Meanwhile, Patrick tries to get in touch with his mother but she doesn’t answer. Julia agrees to tell Ben about the worst thing she has ever done.

She says she was always afraid of getting in trouble. In return, Ben says he said bad things to his father and it was the last thing he ever said to him. Before the night is through, they go to a room together. Patrick checks in on his children while having a flashback of himself as a child. He wakes the baby before telling his wife about his mother deciding to stay at a motel. He says she had a crappy year so she should treat herself if she wants to. Julia has a flashback of sleeping with another man before waking up with Ben in her bed. She doesn’t believe Ben is interested in her because she is much older than him. Nevertheless, Ben hangs out with her all day.

They go to a store and Julia buys Ben a watch. They have more sex and their relationship continues to develop. Next, Ben tells Julia that he wants to visit a tourist destination. Julia interrupts and says she has to go back to Devon. He wants her to come back and spend more time with him. She jumps on a train and gets a call from Della who explains she was worried about her. Then, Julia speaks with her ex-husband’s mother. Julia is distracted thinking about Ben. Ted (Alex Jennings) enters before Julia leaves. When Julia steps outside, she is confronted by Marsha (Nikki Amuka-Bird). Julia does her best to get in her car and leave as quickly as possible.

Marsha says something about them being best friends before something got in the way. In a flashback, Julie recalls playing cards with Ted and someone else. She goes home and gets a letter from a solicitor before Leo emerges asking for money. He apologizes for not remembering her birthday. When Julia is alone, she opens the paperwork and it appears to be divorce papers for herself and Edward. She returns to Ben who seems happy to see her. He gives her a book with a message written on the front page. Patrick tries calling his mom but she doesn’t answer. His wife tries to sleep with him but he isn’t interested right then.

When Julia and Ben go out, a man says something about Julia being Ben’s mother. This upsets Julia but Ben chases her down and manages to calm her down. He agrees to tell her about himself. He is an only child and had a girlfriend he thought he was going to marry but that fell apart. Julia agrees to take him back to her room for sex. The following day, she says she wants a real life. She wants to introduce Ben to her children. Next, Patrick, Leo, and Della meet with Julia at a fancy restaurant. After a bit of back and forth, Julia tells her children that she has found someone.

Patrick and Leo talk about Ben in the bathroom. Ben is disturbed by his age Leo feels the same. They return to the table before Julia and Della leave. While the women are away, Patrick tries to interrogate Ben. Patrick says he is a copywriter and he gives Ben a business card that impresses him. When Ben has had enough, he makes them a promise that he will never hurt Julia. Julia returns and the interrogation ends. Patrick pays for the bill that night. Julie and Ben make out in a taxi as it pulls away. Once they’re gone, the children discuss it together. Patrick and Leo seem concerned but Della doesn’t see anything wrong with her mother spending money on Ben. We also learn that Leo has already told his father. Leo suggests Ben is a gold digger.

Patrick complains about his wife calling him 4 times because he is out past 10 o’clock. Patrick says out drinking and has a flashback of himself as a kid. He hears a man shouting at his mother. Patrick asks Della if she ever thinks about it but she doesn’t answer. She says they should let Julia enjoy herself with Ben but Patrick believes they should protect their mother. Patrick goes to the motel and tries to get the receptionist to give him Julia’s room number. The receptionist agrees to call and asks if she’ll see a visitor. They’re having intercourse in the shower so they do not answer the phone. Patrick is asked to leave moments later. He heads to the office and his coworker helps him get into his office.

Patrick nearly kisses his coworker but he stops himself. He says he refuses to be anything like his parents before calling his mother weak. On the way home, Patrick researches Benjamin online. He tries to find out if Ben is a conman but finds nothing. He finally makes it home and showers. His wife says she never thought she’d check in on her husband before making it clear she wants to return to work. Patrick doesn’t want her to though and he tells her about Ben. She doesn’t believe it is a big deal. Patrick punches a door and cuts his hand. We jump forward on year. Patrick and his wife cruise down the road. She tells that it’ll be okay and Julia is old enough to make her own mistakes.

She says they need to be there to pick up the pieces. They head to the location where Ben and Julia are going to marry. That night, the group celebrates the occasion. Patrick is sent to the garage for champagne and Julia follows him. Patrick tries to talk his mother out of marrying Ben. Julia tells him not to make her choose. Then, we jump forward to the day of the wedding. Patrick tries to convince Leo to cheer up. Leo reminds Patrick that he promised to stop it. He says there is still time. Moments later, Patrick finds a note telling him they know he is having an affair. Ben practices his speech and Patrick listens to him.

 

Gold Digger Review

I thought the opening episode of Gold Digger was pretty good. It was a bit long-winded but I was entertained either way. A bit too much is going on and I found it very difficult to follow the flashbacks and such. I am hoping things will come together and I am sure they will. I also found it tough to find out what many of the characters’ names were. The opener was good and I am eager to see what is going to happen next.

The episode scores a 7 out of 10.