Proposals – The episode opens with Bella Ainsworth (Natascha McElhone) picking mushrooms in the woods when a shot rings out. Renzo approaches followed by Marco Bonacini (Giorgio Marchesi). She reluctantly lets him kiss her because she is still married to Cecil Ainsworth (Mark Umbers). While helping Constance March (Louisa Binder) dress, Paola (Carolina Gonnelli) insists she not talk about Tommy while out with Vito (Leonardo Pazzagli). Constance assures here that she is not ashamed of him. Betty Scanlon (Elizabeth Carling) agrees with Paola. Back in the woods, Marco tells Bella that the gunshot was hunters who are not associates of Vincenzo Danioni (Pasquale Esposito). She claims Cecil wants her to tell the court that she had an affair which would have repercussions. He suggests they move to England but she refuses to leave Italy. Renzo barks at a dead rabbit.

Constance tells Vito that she was pressured into accepting his offer to go for a walk. He wants to know her better before leaving to get them a drink. A street urchin begs for money. She claims to not have any money for him. Vito returns and hands the boy his granita. They share her granita. Bella returns home to find a stressed Cecil waiting for her. He warns that Knaresbrook will be gone forever if he cannot come up with half of the tax bill by January. She denies caring about his estate or title. Elsewhere, Constance tells Vito that she had a child, Tommy, out of wedlock. Not knowing what to say, Vito leaves.

Marco presents his license to Danioni, so he can continue to practice. Danioni says it will be returned later if everything checks out and asks why he wasn’t in his office this morning. Marco asks if he is spying on him before claiming to have been picking mushrooms. Danioni laughs. Marco reveals a mushroom wrapped in a cloth. Danioni threatens to ban him from practicing if he continues to work for Bella because the English betrayed them after the war. Elsewhere, Constance admits to telling him about Tommy and will not be going out with Vito in the future. Paolo and Betty look disappointed. Later, Bella slips out to meet Marco who tells her about Danioni’s threat before proposing. He says if they get married when she is divorced, it will protect her reputation and hotel. She isn’t completely sold on marriage. Upset, he walks away.

Claudine Pascal (Lily Fraser) speeds past a vehicle broken down on the side of the road. Elsewhere, George Livesey (David Schofield) informs Bella of his decision to put Amelia Jackson (Camilla Rutherford) in charge of his business. She assures him that she will never rebel against his decision. He demands she sign a memorandum of understanding. Bella says Amelia has no experience in running a bath, let alone a business. He describes Hotel Portofino as a “rich woman’s plaything.” She is surprised by his assessment of her business. Alice Mays-Smith (Olivia Morris and Bella receive a summons from the Contessa Giovanna di Mazzi (Anita Caprioli). Bella has a meeting with Claudine who wants to rent the hotel for her new perfume launch. Cecil claims to be too busy to go with Alice. Claudine insists on taking her for a ride in her new car, Lulu. Alice quietly calls Bella “useless” and invites Amelia to go with her. The mere thought of seeing Count Carlo Albani (Daniele Pecci) is enough to entice Amelia to accept.

Salvatore Canipo (Bruno Nacinovich) embraces Betty from behind. His happiness turns to doom when he sees her cakes. She says the cakes are his favorite. He voices concern about his mama being disappointed in him if he eats Betty’s cake. She insists he defends her if he wants to marry her. Elsewhere, Alice struggles with her Italian. Giovanna suggests she speak English. Alice compliments her home. Giovanna says Carlo’s uncle left him the farm because they both loved horses. She boasts of how well she knows Carlo before playing the piano. Carlo greets Alice with a nod and walks over to kiss Giovanna on the cheek. He says Giovanna is his sister and offers Alice a tour of the stables. She accepts. Giovanna accuses Alice of believing she is too good for an Albani. Alice denies the allegation. At the stables, Carlo convinces Alice to brush his horse. They nearly kiss but he resists because he loves a simple life and she is not a simple woman. She goes back into the house where she overhears Carlo tell Giovanna that she spooked the horse. Giovanna assures him that horses know a spoiled brat when they see one.

Bella tells Claudine about George’s memorandum of understanding. They both complain about Cecil. Claudine urges her to not care what George thinks about their divorce. She would do anything for Earl Dobbs’ approval. At the hotel, Betty convinces Salvatore to try her lemon drizzle cake. She expresses her desire for his mother to like him. He assures her that she will and he loves her cake. Claudine and Bella attend a party. After a quick dance, they order some drinks and return to the dance floor. At the bar, a man offers Bella a cigarette. Claudine intervenes and the man calls her a “b**ch.” Bella is shocked at the man’s response. Claudine assures her that it isn’t the first time. She sniffles about her ex, Hubert. Bella tries to cheer her up by talking about her new perfume. Later, Bella tells Marco that she isn’t sure about divorcing Cecil but she does want to marry him. She suggests they continue to see each other. He puts pressure on her to decide what she wants to do about her marriage. When she returns to the hotel, Cecil is waiting for her. Claudine accuses him of not liking it when Bella enjoys her freedom. He admits to not liking her. Claudine goes to her room. Bella tells Cecil that Claudine can see straight through him which is why he doesn’t like her.

After a short visit with Claudine, Amelia is surprised Bella is her friend. She demands to know why Bella never signed the memorandum of understanding. Bella tells her that she is surprised George doesn’t see her as a businesswoman. She claims to be happy for Amelia and offers to offer her guidance in running George’s business. Amelia says it’s too late. Later, Betty meets Salvatore’s mother, Nonna Maria (Edita Karadjole) for the first time and presents her with a cake. Maria tastes the cake and finds it satisfactory. Vito tells Constance that he doesn’t care about her past and he likes her. She confesses to liking him as well. Salvatore thanks Betty for making him the happiest man alive. She embraces him. Billy Scanlon (Louis Healy) greets Maria.

George insists Bella sign the memorandum of understanding. She says it can wait. He assures her that he has been very generous to her. Cecil agrees. George accuses Bella of envying Amelia for inheriting his business. Bella signs the memorandum of understanding and informs him of her and Cecil’s divorce. Irate, George says, “Over my dead body.” She leaves the room as the episode ends.

 

Hotel Portofino Review

Danioni threatens to force Marco out of his practice if he doesn’t stop working for Bella. Marco proposes to Bella. She is reluctant to accept his offer because she is still unsure about divorcing Cecil.

George puts pressure on Bella until she signs a memorandum of understanding that prevents her from preventing Amelia from inheriting his business. He is irate when she tells him about the divorce.

Claudine tells Vito about Tommy, expecting him to reject her but he still wants to be with her. Giovanna invites Alice and Bella to the Albani farm. Bella already has plans to meet Claudine. Alice meets Giovanna who turns out to be Carlo’s sister. After a visit to the stables, Carlo decides Alice is not the woman for him because she spooked his horse. Alice overhears Giovanna call her a spoiled brat.

The series is like a soap opera with all family drama. The acting is strong and believable. The camerawork was at times amateurish, more specifically, shaky. Night scenes are too dark to see what is happening.

Overall, the show is solid and holds my attention. The episode deserves a 5.8 out of 10. Get more Hotel Portofino recaps here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. See what others are saying here.