The Second Son – The episode opens in 1592, with Mary Villiers’ (Julianne Moore) newborn son dropped on the floor. Mary insists on cutting her son’s umbilical cord but only after he has a name. She questions if he should have been left on the floor to rot because as The Second Son, he will inherit nothing of value. Waiting to cut his umbilical cord, she orders her servants out of the room. Before leaving, a servant asks his name. Mary says, “George.”

1612 – Mary finds George Villiers (Nicholas Galitzine) hanging by a rope to a tree. She cuts the rope, he crashes to the ground. As he gasps for breath, she wishes him good morning.

Jenny (Emily Fairn) applies an ointment to the strangulation mark around George’s neck. Unhappy with her work, Mary orders Miss Ashcattle to take over. When asked, George says it is sore. Kit Villiers (Jacob McCarthy) warns that it could have ripped his head off and now, he is like their father on his deathbed. Mary orders the room cleared, except for John Villiers (Tom Victor). Refusing further treatment, George expresses his desire to be forever scarred and complains about going to France. He professes to love Jenny. Mary reminds him that she is a servant. George threatens to end his life if she makes him go to France. Mary believes his suicide attempt was an act. He assures her that it was real. He accuses her of trying to send him away, so he can marry a girl with a dowry. She boasts of John being the heir but they need his good looks to get him married. George reminds her that Sir George Villiers (Simon Russell Beale) was against him going.

Mary, John, Kit, and Susan Villiers (Alice Grant) are at Sir George’s bedside when he dies. Miss Ashcattle asks if they would like to say something. Kit suggests they pack quickly. Devastated, Susan starts to read from her notes when Mary, Kit, and John walk out. George orders the servants to remove Sir George’s body before it develops an odor.

In a flashback, Sir George calls himself a fool for bribing the Beaumonts to say Mary, a lowly servant, was one of them. Mary looks at the lacerations on her forearm. He says she gave him a valueless boy, John, his heir. She argues that he built only syphilis scars and regret. As she prepares to leave, he grabs her and asks why George was given his name. She warns of what could happen if she fails George. He shoves her to the ground. Back on her feet, she spits in his face. He grabs her and they roll down the steps. He suffers a serious head wound. Miss Ashcattle approaches.

George and Jenny get intimate. Elsewhere, Xander (Ankur Bahl) informs Mary that Sir George left the house to a cousin who agrees to let her stay for rent. He says Sir George’s payments to the Beaumont family protected her status which will become untenable if anyone finds out. Tossing the document in fire, she demands he never speak a word of it. Mary will be forced to marry for money. He urges her to delay marriage for four weeks to protect her reputation.

Two Weeks Later – Mary proposes to Sir Thomas Compton (Sean Gilder), with the exception of George’s education. He asks if her son’s education is enough to put up with him. She says he appears to be endurable. Later, Mary informs John and George of her impending marriage. When George complains about going to France, she threatens to send Jenny back to her brutish brothers and father. Knowing Jenny fears them, George agrees to her demand but only after, he confesses to hating her.

The Villiers family watches as George’s wagon pulls away and immediately stops when he becomes stressed. Mary assures him that he will be fine. He suggests delaying his education in France. She warns that he would become his father smeared in excrement before sending him on his way.

Upon arriving in France, George finds Jean (Khalil Ben Gharbia) waiting for him. He vomits on the beach. Jean asks about the marks on his neck. George claims to have fallen. Jean says not according to Mary. He denies any allegation of trying to hang himself. Jean warns against lying to him again if he desires to become a gentleman. He escorts him through several rooms where people are engaged in intimate acts. A man tries to grab him. Jean opens the door to find George’s room occupied.

Compton demands Mary sign a prenuptial agreement. Xander draws up the documents for them to sign. John and Kit act silly during Compton and Mary’s wedding.

Jean confiscates George’s flute. Vincent (Dimitri Gripari) breaks it. George argues that it was a gift. Jean tells him that Mary wrote about how Sir George beat him and he did nothing. George asks what he was supposed to have done. Jean says fight back and demands he speak French from here on out. Later, Jean is impressed with George bests him in a sword sparring session. George learns to dance.

Compton informs Mary that King James I (Tony Curran) will pass by on his summer travels. She insists on him staying with them. He admits to lying about his mansion undergoing renovations to avoid housing the king. She asks why he lied. He claims one time nearly bankrupted him to host the king. She pleads with him to let her meet the king. He warns against it but eventually relents.

King James 1 and his entourage arrive at Compton’s mansion. Compton refers to Sir David Graham (Angus Wright) as a “turd” but pities he is the only Englishman in the crew. Earl of Somerset (Laurie Davidson) orders them inside and the king will see them at dinner.

Everyone is seated at the table when the Earl of Somerset enters. After assessing the food, he says the king will not dine, so no one will dine. Mary invites him to stay and converse with them but he declines. Compton retires to his bed chamber. Mary is walking through the house when Lord Chamberlain emerges from a room and demands to know if she is a spy. She reminds him that it is her house. He claims ownership of the property. She warns that the king will meet another man more beautiful than him. The King James I jokingly says he would like to meet the other man. He suggests they play, not fight before returning to their room. Sir David Graham witnessed the entire scene. While conversing with Mary, he complains about the Scots entering the country. She reminds him that King James I is Scottish. He claims to like the king who is unlike the sodomite, Somerset. She suggests he prefer a native sodomite to rule the country.

George tells Jean that he is ready to be seen in society. Jean warns against being too rash for fear of disgracing himself. Vincent appears nude. George questions why he is with someone of a lower class of society and a man. After some discussion, Jean says a body is a body. George joins them in bed.

George returns from France. He tells Mary that she made a good choice for a husband. She tells him about King James’ visit. He asks if she has a wife in mind for him. She informs him that the king has a cupbearer position available. Later, George learns Mary asked Sir David Graham to have him replace Cupbearer Laurence (Charles Craddock) to serve King James’s table. As he makes his way to the King’s table, Laurence trips him. Somerset laughs until he sees the king not laughing. George attacks Laurence. Somerset drags George over and slams him down on the table. George complains that Laurence intentionally tripped him. Somerset says the penalty is a severed hand but with two kings present, he will lose both hands. Countess Somerset (Pearl Chanda) orders him to stop resisting. Intervening, King James says George sought justice because Laurence tripped him. King Christian admits to enjoying the fight.

Queen Anne (Trine Dyrholm) agrees with King James. Somerset angrily stomps away. George is permitted to return to work but the chef throws him out. He later returns home and retrieves a knife. Mary finds him outside and shows him the proper way to cut his wrist. She warns against pitying himself and assures him that he will be in the king’s thoughts. She urges him to push forward because the king will soon be theirs. The episode ends.

 

Mary & George Review

I had an extensive review written up but after watching the pilot, I figured it truly doesn’t matter. The series is a mockery of English history. It will surely please those who enjoy looking at the male keister. Not much else I can say except nothing is exceptional.

 

The episode deserves a 3.5 out of 10.  Get more Mary & George 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 shows, movies, scams, crime, and wrestling.