Stonehouse Season 1 Episode 3 Recap

The episode begins with a makeup artist (Tiana Arnold) prepping John Stonehouse (Matthew Macfadyen) for a TV program about mysterious missing person cases. The producer (Rich Keeble) encourages him to be specific and clear when telling his story.

Journalists flock toward Stonehouse when he’s from a South London Prison. He tells the journalist that his bail being repeatedly denied was politically motivated. A Brixton journalist (Jamila Wingett) asks if he’d like to say anything to the public. He says, “Wake up, England.”

Matthew Stonehouse (Archie Barnes), Jane Stonehouse (Orla Hill), and Julia Stonehouse (Aoife Checkland) greet their father as he walks through the door. He explains his prison experience as “interesting” before saying most of the inmates don’t deserve to be there.

Barbara Stonehouse (Keeley Hawes) and Stonehouse discuss a condition of his bail that bans him from contacting Sheila Buckley (Emer Heatley). She demands he never see her again. He fully agrees. Stonehouse overhears Barbara talking on the phone about being made a laughing stock by him.

Betty Boothroyd (Dorothy Atkinson) warns British Prime Minister Harold Wilson (Kevin McNally) if Stonehouse misses another vote the Tories could motion a vote of no confidence. He suggests bringing Stonehouse back to heel. Stonehouse takes his seat between two MPs who instantly spread out.

Stonehouse speaks to Sheila on the phone. He admits to aching for her while she misses his touch. He assures her that it won’t be long and nothing will stop them. Barbara watches as he emerges from the phone booth.

The Speaker of the House of Commons (Simon Greenall) permits Stonehouse to speak. Stonehouse contributes his physical pain to his parliamentary colleagues for repeatedly testing his belief in human nature. He claims the House of Commons is plagued with corruption, hypocrisy, and deceit. The Speaker tells Stonehouse that isn’t part of his planned statement. Stonehouse says the elected officials aren’t acting on the behalf of the voters. He describes MPS, including himself as “unthinking robots.”

Prosecuting counsel (Sanjeev Kohli) reads Sheila and Stonehouse’s letters in court. London Magistrate (Jemma Churchill) orders them to stand trial for deception and theft in the Central Criminal Court. Stonehouse looks back to see Barbara has left the courtroom. When he returns home, she demands he sleeps in the spare room.

Wilson tells Stonehouse that their similar in that all the backstabbing has worn them down. He suggests it took guts to fake his own death in Miami. Stonehouse says it was necessary for his old self to die. Wilson asks if he’d kick a blind man at Charing Cross Road. Stonehouse says he’ll do it.

In a television interview, Alexander Marek (Sam Lockwood) admits to utilizing sex to recruit politicians to spy for Czechoslovakia. Barbara listens as he explains how hidden cameras recorded politicians having sex with their agents. The TV interviewer (Sam Lockwood) asks if any PMs were Czechoslovakia spies. Marek claims there was only one.

After spending the night on a park bench, Stonehouse visits Sheila who informs him of Wilson’s resignation. He tells her that it’s all his fault.

Stonehouse resigns from the Labour Whip and joins English National Party “ENP.” Sheila suggests he not think too far into the future. He says his happiness lies in her.

Stonehouse informs The Old Bailey Judge (Roger Ringrose) that he’s fired his legal team because only he can provide the court with an accurate account of what happened. The Judge suggests reconsidering because it’s possible he could do himself more harm than good. Sheila pulls her hand back when he reaches for it.

The Old Bailey Judge tells Stonehouse that his persistence in contesting every detail has dragged a trial scheduled for three weeks on for nearly four months. Stonehouse has been found guilty on 18 of 21 counts and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The judge tells Sheila that her sentence will be suspended for two years.

Stonehouse holds out his hand while identifying himself to an inmate (Shem Hamilton) who refuses to shake his hand. During a visit with Sheila, he admits to feeling free for the first time in his life.

A Magazine journalist (Rose Robinson) asks Barbara what contributed to her husband’s behavior. Barbara suggests it may be male menopause.

Stonehouse questions why Barbara finds him intolerable to live. After reminding him of his adultery, she admits to knowing all his secrets except the big one. He confesses his love for her. She says this is one time she believes him.

Stonehouse dreams of finding himself in the woods. His cellmate alerts the warden that Stonehouse is having a medical emergency. Barbara and the children are at the hospital when Sheila approaches. She tells her that it was his heart.

August 1979 – Dave (David Nellist) reminds Stonehouse that his sentence is nearly up. Stonehouse admits to being thankful and happy.

Sheila’s waiting when he emerges from prison.

April 14, 1988 – James Stonehouse (Artie Wilkinson-Hunt) says he doesn’t want his father to go. Stonehouse assures him that he’ll never leave him again when he returns. He sings “Morningtown Ride” by The Seekers. Sheila and James watch as he walks toward the television studios. The floor Manager (Amy Dunn) finds Stonehouse unconscious in a chair as the episode comes to an end.

John Stonehouse was 62 when he died of cardiac arrest. After prison, Stonehouse volunteered at fundraisers for several charities and wrote four thrillers.

Stonehouse’s resignation resulted in the Labour Party losing its majority, forcing them into an unofficial coalition with the Liberals.

 

Stonehouse Review

Harold Wilson was feeling the pressure with Stonehouse’s absence. He fears another missed vote could prompt Tories to motion a vote of no confidence.

During a speech in the House of Commons, Stonehouse blames his parliamentary colleagues whom he refers to as “unthinking robots” for his mental breakdown.

Stonehouse is found guilty on 18 of 21 charges of deception and theft. He and Shiela are ordered to stand trial in the Central Criminal Court.

During a meeting, Wilson admits to Stonehouse that backstabbing has worn him down as well. A short time later, Wilson resigns as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Stonehouse resigns the Labour Whip.

After firing his legal team, Stonehouse nitpicks on every detail the prosecutors put forward. Nearly four weeks later, he’s sentenced to seven years in prison. Sheila’s sentence is suspended.

Stonehouse is released from prison in August 1979.

On April 14, 1988, Stonehouse has an interview at a television station. He promises his son, James that he’ll never leave him again after the interview. The workers at the studio find him unconscious in the makeup room.

The finale was truly a disappointment. It had its moments but nothing really special. There was so much of John’s real story omitted from the script. An outstanding cast and interesting concept flushed down the drain. Even Matthew Macfadyen couldn’t save this missed opportunity.

The finale deserves a 5.5. Get more Stonehouse recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Don’t forget to advertise on our platform.