The episode begins with the House of Commons observing a moment of silence for Labour MP John Stonehouse (Matthew Macfadyen). Britain Prime Minister Harold Wilson (Kevin McNally) sends his condolences to Barbara Stonehouse (Keeley Hawes), Julia Stonehouse (Aoife Checkland), Jane Stonehouse (Orla Hill), and Matthew Stonehouse (Archie Barnes).

Melbourne Australia –  Stonehouse removes his robe near the pool. Miami reporter (Paul Westwood) says it was five days ago when Stonehouse disappeared off a beach in Miami. He suggests Stonehouse may have drowned or been executed by the Mafia after a business deal went awry.

Betty Boothroyd (Dorothy Atkinson) tells Wilson that the election is tight if the Whips manage to pull the voters out of their bath chairs. The interviewer (Alex Caan) asks Sheila Buckley (Emer Heatley) what are Stonehouse’s hobbies. Sheila assures him that he’s a strong swimmer.

Betty says Stonehouse will remain in office until he’s declared dead. Wilson assures her that House of Commons lacks the power to do anything even if Stonehouse’s a Soviet spy.

Stonehouse rents an apartment from Rod Murray (Jeremy Secomb). At Strange Fruit, he meets Ray Simpson (Mike Sengelow). Sheila writes him a letter before briefly speaking with Barbara. Stonehouse treats his new hospitable acquaintances a round.

The financial advisor (Crispin Letts) informs Barbara of Stonehouse’s five life insurance policies.

Rod reports Stonehouse to the police. John Mackenzie (Richard Dillane) reads Sheila’s letter addressed to “Darling Dums.” Stonehouse is under police surveillance while entering the post office.

Dave Walters (Carl Batchelor) and Mackenzie visit his apartment to question his identity. Mackenzie tells him that the police believe he’s a man named Richard John Bingham, also known as Lord Lucan. At the police station, Stonehouse’s ordered to drop his pants so Walter can take a picture of his right thigh. Mackenzie explains that Scotland Yard detectives reported Lord Lucan’s right thigh has a distinctive scar. Stonehouse says now that’s all cleared up, he can go home. Mackenzie questions him about a bank account that he opened in the name of Ronald Peterson. He asks if he was recently booked at the Miami Shimmering Sands hotel. Walter asks if he’s Dums. Stonehouse breaks down sobbing.

A psychologist (Celeste Wong) assesses Stonehouse’s mental state. She explains the diagnosis split personality is like Jekyll and Hyde.

Betty informs Wilson of Stonehouse’s denial of wrongdoing and refusal to resign. She later meets with Barbara to encourage her to meet with Stonehouse in Australia. Barbara suggests the Prime Minister wants her to make sure her husband cooperates with the British government.

Barbara meets Stonehouse in prison. Bill The Warder (Timothy Knightley) serves them tea. He claims to have felt his old self stopped existing in a way that was meaningful. He says the only option was for him to be reborn with a new identity similar to Jekyll and Hyde. She reminds him that his deception led them to believe he’d died. She suggests he wanted to escape her. He assures her that wasn’t the case because he loves her. When she asks a question, he claims his psychologist advised against dwelling too much on the past to avoid a relapse.

With Bill’s help, Stonehouse writes Shelia a letter that reads, “Come soonest. Bail granted but situation delicate. Charge ticket to JT Stonehouse Global Initiatives. Much love, Dums.”

Betty informs Wilson of Melvyn’s death. They attend his funeral.

The attorney books Stonehouse into a safe house after his release. Sheila greets them as they emerge from their rental car. After reading the newspaper, Barbara excuses herself for a nap. Sheila reminds him that he promised it would just be the two of them. He assures her it’s just a few minor details to be taken care of.

During an interview, Stonehouse contributes his brainstorm to the stress of a political career. He describes the way he felt as being shackled to a chariot wheel. As the wheel turned, the spikes dug in deeper. Wilson says, “Brainstorm, my arse.” Betty informs him that Stonehouse has applied for asylum in Mauritius, Sweden, Bangladesh, Tanzania, and four more countries. Stonehouse filed a petition asking the Queen for safe passage in the event he’s extradited to the United Kingdom. Wilson asks the Australian High Commissioner for a favor.

Barbara tells Stonehouse that he never thought of his family, only of himself. She asks if he lost his conscience and sense of right and wrong. He reminds her that his psychologist advised against discussing what happened. Sheila suggests being nice. Barbara assures her that it isn’t the first time they’ve been there and he always comes back to her. Walking to the ledge, he orders her to stay back or else. After urging him to do it, she says hopefully, he’ll do a better job this time when they hear sirens. Mackenzie and Walters inform Stonehouse that he’s to be extradited to the UK to face 15 charges of fraud, theft, and forgery. Sheila has been charged with five counts of theft as the episode comes to an end.

 

Stonehouse Review

Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s concerned about the tight election due to Stonehouse’s disappearance. Barbara and the kids are beginning to believe he’s dead. In the meantime, Stonehouse is establishing a home in Melbourne, Australia as Joseph Carey.

The House of Commons doesn’t have enough power to remove Stonehouse. He will need to be declared legally dead.

Sheila writes to Stonehouse utilizing the pseudonym, Dums. Stonehouse’s new landlord, Rod Murray, reports him to the police.  Mackenzie and Walters escort him to the police under the guise, he’s Lord Lucan. After ruling him out as Lord Lucan, he’s questioned about a new bank account in the name of Ronald Peterson.

Stonehouse sends Sheila a message requesting she come to Melbourne. Barbara arrives just in time for him to be released from jail. They are taken to a safe house where Sheila is waiting on them. When Barbara tries to talk about what happened, he claims his psychologist warned it could cause a relapse.

Stonehouse applies for asylum in eight countries and petitions the Queen to provide him safe passage if he’s extradited to Britain. During a media interview, he claims to have experienced a brainstorm due to the stressors of his political career.

Stonehouse is retained and extradited to the United Kingdom to face 15 criminal charges. Sheila is charged with five counts of theft.

A weak, boring episode. The minor development could have been summed up in a 15-minute segment. If the details of the true story are not brought out in the finale, the series will be a complete dud. So far, the series downplays Stonehouse’s crime.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Stonehouse recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Ask about our advertising packages.