The Duel – As the episode opens, Dr. Jack “Dodger” Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Bayani “Flashbang” Rivera (Aljin Abella), and Aputi Savea (Albert Latailakepa) push two barrels through a tunnel. Aputi announces that the place is filled with spirits. Dodger says with the lanterns off, the spirits’ eyes are visible.

Father Cruishanks (Huw Higginson) listens to Captain Lucien Gaines’ (Damon Herriman) confession. Lucien admits to being filled with fiery rage. He describes Port Victory as a “pox-ridden sewer,” with filth everywhere.

In the tunnel, Dodger, Flashbang, and Aputi wait until Sailor Pike (Brandon McClelland) and Sailor Rackham (Darren McMullen) leave to switch out the barrels.

In the confessional, Lucien tells Father Cruishanks that once virtuous Peggy Gaines (Jessica De Gouw) is now a “debauched wastrel” certain to meet the fires. Cruishanks is startled when Lucien slams down his hands and refuses to be humiliated by them. In the meantime, Flashbang and Dodger prepare to take the barrel of ambergris when they hear Pike and Rackman approach. When the guards open up the entrance to the tunnel, Aputi makes an eerie wheezing sound. They run out of the room. Dodger tells Flashback that ambergris is the fermenting insides of a whale. Flashbang asks if the stuff is edible. Dodger says the barrel of ambergris, utilized to make perfumes, is valuable.

Norbert Fagin (David Thewlis) is in a pub when Rackman and Pike enter. Rackman and Pike claim to have heard noises in the tunnel leading to the morgue. Fagin tries to convince Rosemary “Rotty” Falkirk (Brigid Zengen) to extend him a line of credit until they offload a barrel of ambergris. While he explains his plan, Rackman and Pike leave. He rushes to catch up with them. Pike tells him that they are to set sail tomorrow. Fagin warns against sailing on morrow but they ignore him. Ned Monks (Ezekiel Simat) claims to have seen Dodger, Aputi, and Flashbang leave the bowels with a barrel. Fagin boasts of Dodger returning to criminality.

Tim Billiberllary (Luke Carroll) explains how ambergris is utilized to make perfume. Fagin informs Dodger that the Duchess of Portland sets sail tomorrow evening. He questions if the barrel of ambergris should be returned before the guards find it missing. Dodger refuses to cower. Fagin warns that he will be caught. Dodger says, “I want a win.”

Lady Fanny Fox (Lucy-Rose Leonard) explains the premise of her painting. Lady Jane Fox (Susie Porter) informs Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell) that Dr. Rainsford Sneed (Nicholas Burton) invites her to go shooting. Belle insults Fanny’s trees before leaving. Jane assures her that Belle did not mean it because she is unwell.

Darius Cracksworth (Tim Minchin) complains about how a man of his caliber is treated so poorly. He claims to have been protecting Peggy’s spotless reputation. Lucien reminds him of his giving Peggy crabs. Darius attributes Peggy’s crabs to improper laundering before urging him to fire the maid. He says they were headed to Hospice when he found them together. Lucien sarcastically says he is in his debut but what about the stolen soldiers’ pay. Darius denies stealing the money. Lucien blames Fagin and Dodger for pinning the theft on Darius. He threatens to make a false charge against Darius if he cannot explain how his and Peggy’s crabs.

Sneed his brother, the Honorable James Sneed, who obtained a license in the Spice Island, gave him a 10% share of his nutmeg trade. He tells Belle that the proceeds from the sale of a large canister of nutmeg would buy a home in Mayfair. Belle expresses her desire to be a surgeon. Sneed says his taking over for Professor Alistair McGregor (Kim Gyngell) as Chief Surgeon will put him in the position to provide a life of comfort to a woman. He asks her to marry him. She reminds him that they have never been anything but friends. He asks for permission to speak to Governor Edmund Fox (Damien Garvey) but she needs time to think about it.

Tim prepares the ambergris. Fagin demands Dodger not get them sent to the gallows because he is upset with Belle. Later, Alistair diagnosis Rackman with classic pox. Holding up a weight, Alistair explains how it works by exuding pus from the penis. A sailor seeks treatment for an eye injury. Fagin tells Dodger that the barrel is ready to be moved to the ship. The sailor with the eye injury pleads with Sneed to fix his eye. Sneed suggests he buy a cane when he spots Aputi and Flashbang rolling the barrel down a ramp. He asks Fagin what is stored in the barrel. Fagin claims it is the organs of Samuel Dean. Holding his nose, Sneed walks away. Fagin urges the sailor with the eye injury to consult with Dodger who has performed the surgery many times. He orders the barrel moved back before informing Dodger of the sailor’s injured eye. Fagin says the operation will delay the Duchess of Portland’s departure by three days.

After assessing the sailor’s eye, Dodger says there is nothing he can do. He warns Fagin that one movement would blind the sailor. Fagin urges him to be more confident in his skills. Aputi and Flashbang prepare to move the barrel to the Duchess of Portland.

Sneed demands Dodger not operate on the sailor’s eye. Dodger rushes to catch up with the sailor to inform him of his decision to operate on his eye. Fagin orders Aputi and Flashbang to move the barrel back to the morgue.

Belle asks Dodger if he has lost all sense. If he is coming to apologize for his behavior from weeks ago, she wants him to do it formally. Dodger asks what she knows about Strabismus surgery. Belle says it is the realignment of the eye. She agrees to take him to her textbooks. They look through the book and learn more about the surgery. It is dangerous but Dodger thinks he can do it. Belle believes they should clear the air about what transpired. She admits she said things that she regrets. Dodger has to hide when Lady Fanny Fox enters the room. Once they’re alone, Dodger apologizes to Belle for what he said to her. Belle forgives him. He asks her not to invite him to any parties because her lot will never accept him.

Then, they meet the patient and check his eyesight. He tells them why he likes being a sailor and navigator. Dodger warns him that no one in the country has ever performed this surgery. The condition of his right eye will continue to worsen with time to the point that he might never see again. If they fail, he could lose sight in both eyes. If they succeed, he could get to navigate again. The sailor asks what they’re waiting for. After the procedure, Dodger tells Belle they won’t know if it worked until they remove the bandages. He heard her sister say this was her eighth attack. Belle claims her sister imagines things. They talk about what the navigator said. Dodger tells her about his travels and the paper dragon he saw in Hong Kong. Dr. Sneed finds them sleeping in the hallway.

Once Belle walks off, Sneed begins insulting Dodger. Then, he complains that Dodger performed an operation he specifically told him not to perform. Dodger says it would be impossible for a surgeon on Sneed’s level. Sneed warns him that he’ll be the head surgeon in two months and he’ll no longer have a role there. Dodger punches him. Sneed slaps him with a glove. Captain Gaines talks to Governor Fox about the stench. Jane believes the smell is coming from the sewage pipes. She suspects the raw sewage is flowing and pooling in the center of town. Jane wants to speak to the engineers, but Gaines argues that engineers cannot fix evil. Jane asks if he has heard from his wife. Once Gaines leaves, the Governor thinks about running the pipes into the harbor.

Fanny rushes in to tell them there is going to be a duel in town. Belle catches up with Sneed and tries to talk him out of the duel. When he refuses, Belle tells him she won’t marry him then. Dodger practices with his sword. Aputi comes in to tell them they’ve found a sample that took Nellie Walpole’s spleen and the cow tripe. Fagin says he has procured a buyer who is willing to pay 80 florins for the genuine article. Dodger tells him they’ll have money to celebrate when he teaches this fool a lesson. Fagin tries to talk him out of it before Belle arrives and does the same. She warns Dodger that they’ll use pistols and Sneed is a master shot. Belle approaches Gaines to ask him to arrest two men. Captain Gaines admits he can only arrest them if they go through with the duel.

The sailor reminds Gaines that they need the ambergris that is missing. Belle finds Fagin and Dodger with the barrel. She alludes to the fact that she knows what they have. Gaines and the sailors find the barrel full when it was empty just minutes ago. Dodger learns that the surgery went well. The patient reveals that his smell is gone now that his sight has been restored. Ned Monks asks Fagin about the duel. Ned reminds him that their plans die if Dodger dies tomorrow. The next day, Smales tells Sneed he has never witnessed a duel before. Fagin talks a big game by encouraging Dodger to shoot him in the heart. He also says something about Dodger’s favorite dueling pistol.

The Governor interrupts the duel because the town cannot survive without two surgeons. He suggests the seconds should take their places. Smales and Fagin don’t want to do that though. When they shoot at each other, Sneed ends up getting hit in the leg. Professor McGregor says he was injured in his pursuit of honor. He says he is going to amputate Sneed’s leg. Sneed offers to give Dodger his job back if he stops him from amputating. Sneed is given anesthetics even though he was against them previously. Dodger tells Belle she can make the first incision. They end up kissing.

 

The Artful Dodger Review

The Artful Dodger remains forgettable despite the decent cast. Through five episodes, the series shows little real purpose and doesn’t bother trying to deliver a message. It is going through the motions while rehashing some of the same stories we’ve seen in many other shows and movies. Many of the side characters are nothing more than props because they add very little to the story.

It’d take substantial effort to genuinely care about any of the characters. Even though Dodger is often placed in risky situations, it never feels like he is in any real danger. There is still nothing about The Artful Dodger that is humorous although it does an exceptional job of being annoying.

Tediously dull would be a good way to describe the series through five episodes. This one scores a 4.5 out of 10. Recaps of The Artful Dodger can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here. Discuss this series and others at the Reel Mockery Forum.