Bully In The Alley – The episode opens at Cat and Bagpipes. Dr. Jack “Dodger” Dawkins (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Norbert Fagin (David Thewlis), and Tim Billiberllary (Luke Carroll) are having drinks. Seeing Big Kit Wilderkins (Steve Morris) and Alfie Wilderkins (Finnian James) assessing their loot, Fagin says it is proof there are more ways to make money than ambergris. Dodger urges him to enjoy his coin and rum. When a beautiful prostitute (Catrina Paradisis) sits on Dodger’s leg, he sends her away. Fagin suggests he is thinking of Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell).

Captain Lucien Gaines (Damon Herriman) tries to encourage Governor Edmund Fox (Damien Garvey) to remove violent degenerates from the colony. Edmund says they would be the only two left in the Port Victory Colony. When Edmund refuses to place limits on alcohol, Lucien suggests confiscating it for the Crown. Once it is confirmed that 23 Bordeaux and Blue Dragon cognac would be seized, Edmond authorizes the confiscation of alcohol. Emerging from the carriage, Lucien gives Sergeant Bramwell (Michael Sheasby) a signal. The guards assault the patrons inside the pub and destroy their alcohol. A guard throws Dodger out of the pub where he assists a man beaten by police.

Lucien informs the citizens of Port Victory that the government quartermaster will serve all alcohol from here on out. The daily limit is one drink per individual. Guards apprehended a wanted Big Kit. Lucien asks if he prefers bushranger or highway on his death warrant.

At the hospital, Lady Belle Fox (Maia Mitchell) warns Lady Fanny Fox (Lucy-Rose Leonard) against getting involved with Dr. Rainsford Sneed (Nicholas Burton). She says Sneed only wants to marry either of them to secure the Head Surgeon position. Belle claims Sneed asked her to marry him but she declined the offer. Fanny considers walking into the sea, weighted down with stones. Walking in the direction of the sea, Fanny returns to clarify if Steed is still available. Later, they visit Sneed recovering from a gunshot injury. Fanny feeds him a piece of peppermint candy which burns his mouth. An emergency alert sends Belle racing downstairs to see the lobby filled with injured men from the police raid. Hetty Bagget (Vivienne Awosoga) demands Dodger stay sober to work the ward.

Dodger chastises Fagin for pickpocketing during the police raid. He informs Professor Alistair McGregor (Kim Gyngell) of the violent police raid. Alistair asks if there is any medicinal wine. Dodger says Lucien’s guards are assaulting the locals. Alistair is none too thrilled about the alcohol ban. Belle tells Alistair that Alfie has a fractured femur. He initially questions the diagnosis until she reminds him that he is employed by her father. After setting Alfie’s leg, Alistair says the procedure generally nicks an artery, so he will probably bleed out.

Belle pulls back the sheet to reveal a deceased Alfie. Dodger says there was nothing they could have done to stop the bleeding. Lucien and his guards barge into the ward. Belle and Dodger confront Lucien for his violent raid. Lucien calmly attributes the damage to resisting an arrest before boasting of the raid being a success. Dodger demands the responsible parties be court-martialed. Lucien boldly admits he is the guilty party before ordering his men to arrest two patients. Blocking the door, Belle refuses to let Lucien apprehend “her” patients. He assures her that he would not spoil her like Edmund. If he was her father, she would run like Peggy Gaines did. He threatens to hit her but Dodger intervenes. Later, Dodger tells Fagin that he needs to take Lucien’s most prized item away from him. After urging him to let it go, Fagin claims to know where Lucien has the confiscated alcohol stored. Dodger scolds him for thinking only of alcohol, not Lucien’s victims. Fagin says in the end, he will be the only person to show Dodger loyalty.

Belle informs Edmund of Lucien’s violent raid. Lucien boasts of flushing out Bit Kit. Edmund is thrilled with the news. Belle accuses Lucien of maiming the people. Lucien claims those injured were attacking the guards and resisting arrest. He says like Dodger mourns the loss of his patients, he mourns the suspects. She reminds him of Alfie bleeding out. He tells her that Afie and Big Kit killed three people, including Corporal Hartmouth, during a stagecoach robbery. Edmund stresses the importance of men like Lucien who will help him turn Port Victory into a society.

Fagin tells Aputi Savea (Albert Latailakepa) that Bayani “Flashbang” Rivera (Aljin Abella) is hidden in a carriage with confiscated alcohol. He says Flashbang is going to get them access the Lucien’s warehouse. Watching the carriage approach, they see Frances “Red” Scrubbs (Miranda Tapsell) holding the driver at gunpoint. Lucien and the guards race to bring the wagon to a stop. Red puts down her pistols. Lucien orders the driver to transport the liquor to the Government House. Fagin flees the area. When the wagon stops, the crate of alcohol is carried into the Government House. Flashbang tries to open the door but it is blocked.

Belle tells Dodger that she trusts her father’s judgment. Dodger reminds her of how Alfie bled out. She says Alfie and Big Kit are the bushrangers who killed three men. He says that is their story. She assures him that Edmund would not lie. He asks if she ever saw someone die from hunger or paid for her essentials. Tim informs Dodger of Red being apprehended. Dodger warns that Lucien will hang him as her accomplice. Tim says Red is pregnant.

Justice Micawber (Nicholas Hope) considers shooting Red. Lucien asks if Red should have a short or long drop. Micawber says the long drop. Lucien explains the difference between the long drop and the short drop. He admits to admiring Red for eluding capture for four years while working under his employment. He offers to utilize the long drop in exchange for information on Dodger. She denies being frightened by him before calling him “small and weak”. She warns that people will seek revenge and he will pay for hanging her. Dodger arrives just as her water breaks. Lucien informs Micawber of Red’s pregnancy. Micawber refuses to let Lucien hang Red until she has given birth. Red threatens to tell Lucien about Dodger’s criminal past if he doesn’t help her escape.

Red gives Tim instructions on how to raise her baby. Hetty orders Bramwell to leave the ward. Red refuses to let Dodger treat her. Later, Fagin questions why Dodger is saving Red. Dodger informs him of the child belonging to Tim. Hetty alerts them that the baby is breech. He tells her that Red refuses to let him deliver her baby. She suggests Belle deliver Red’s baby.

Fanny informs Belle of her decision to kiss Sneed on the lips. She asks what is the proper way to kiss. Belle denies being an expert when Fagin and Dodger arrive. Fanny asks if they are going to kiss. In unison, they say not. Dodger asks if she would be interested in performing a cesarean section. Belle initially says no before agreeing to do it.

Fagin rescues Flashbang. While Flashbang urinates in an alcohol bottle, Fagin stuffs alcohol into a bag. They flee as Edmund enters the room. A short time later, Fanny, Fagin, Fagin, Dodger, and Belle arrive at the hospital. Dodger tells Fagin to get Alistair drunk. Fagin refuses to share the confiscated alcohol with Alistair. Dodger says they going to help Red escape. Fagin warns that Lucien will not be happy. Fanny climbs on top of a sleeping Sneed. Her kiss startles him away. He attributes his swollen lips to her pepper jelly. Fagin and Alistair share a bottle of 21 cognac. Alistair offers to buy his stash. Fagin offers a guard, Wellington a drink but he declines. Alistair agrees to tell Lucien that he prescribed it to him.

Dodger explains the cesarean section procedure to Belle. Red agrees to let her do the surgery. Hetty administers ether. Belle questions if she can do it alone. Hetty promises to stay with her. In the hallway, Tim says Lucien will hang Red after she has the baby. Dodger says not if she is dead before sending Fagin to bring him a female corpse. Belle delivers Red’s baby. Hetty hands the baby to Tim. Dodger unlocks her handcuffs. Alistair, Fagin, and Alistair are happily drug and singing. Hetty takes the baby away. Tim pushes Hetty out in a wheelchair. Flashbang and Aputi place the corpse on Red’s bed. Dodger removes the cover to see the corpse is male. Belle tells Lucien that Red and her baby died on the operating table. He demands to see the body but Belle stops him. An intoxicated Alistair signs Red’s death certificate. Lucien questions if Red is really dead. Alistair boasts of having 50 years of surgery under his belt. Lucien tries to get a peek at the body but Alistair throws him out of the hospital.

Tim, Red, and their baby are hiding in Dodger’s room. Belle vows to keep what happened a secret but does not condone thievery. Red says the Fox family is the biggest thieves in Port Victory. Belle leaves without speaking.

Edmund informs Lucien of his decision to lift the alcohol ban. He commends Lucien for his heroic actions. While Edmund pours Lucien a glass of cognac, Tim pushes Red and their baby past the carriage. Lucien takes a swig only to spit it back out.

Fanny tells Belle that her first kiss with Sneed was lovely until he got angry. Belle assures him that she will find the right man. Fanny suggests Belle and Dodger have a love affair. Belle says it is a nice thought. Fagin reminds Dodger that he and Belle live in two different worlds. Dodger walks outside to see Belle. He admits to being intoxicated. Gulping down a cup of alcohol, she says so am I. He says they are not suitable for each other. She says they should not date each other. He agrees before they passionately kiss. The episode ends.

 

The Artful Dodger Review

Lucien convinces Governor Edmund Fox to limit alcohol to one serving a day. Edmund authorizes a raid at the Cat and Bagpipes. The raid results in a bushranger, Alfie, fracturing his femur and many other injuries. Alistair sets Alfie’s leg which severs an artery. He dies a short time later. Belle tells Edmund that Lucien carried out a violent raid that killed Alfie. Edmund says Alfie and Big Kit killed three men, one of whom was his own.

Dodger tells Belle that some people steal to eat. She says there are two sides to every story because Alfie killed Edmund’s man. Dodger is not totally convinced.

Red is apprehended by Lucien. He offers to give her the long drop at the gallows for everything she knows about Dodger. Tim tells Dodger that she is pregnant. Justice Micawber orders Red released until after the baby the born. Red refuses to let Dodger deliver her baby by cesarean section. Hetty suggests Belle perform the procedure. To protect mother and baby, Dodger stages her death. Lucien demands Alistair to sign her death certificate. Fagin gets Alistair. Dodgers plan goes out without a hitch.

Edmund lifts the ban on alcohol.

Knowing their worlds are different, Belle and Dodger share a passionate kiss.

 

The episode deserves a 5. Get more The Artful Dodger recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Join our newly established forum to discuss new movie and TV series releases. Our onsite advertising is a great way for startups to build online awareness, click here to reach our staff.