As the episode begins, Arthur (Edward Holcroft) and Margaret (Charlotte Hope) try to overcome their loss. Meanwhile, Fergus Suter (Kevin Guthrie) comes up with a plan to beat Arthur’s team. He goes to James Walsh (Craig Parkinson) and tells him about the plan. James is a bit skeptical at first but he eventually sees how smart the plan is. They decide to change their plan when it is raining outside. They meet up with Tommy (Gerard Kearns) and the others to practice. We see that the FA Cup’s 1st round will be starting next week with a game featuring Darwen and Brigg.

Cartwright (Ben Batt) arrives and tells Walsh that Fergus has improved the team to no end. Then, he turns the conversation to cotton taking another dive. Walsh is convinced that it’ll bounce back. Next, Ted Stokes (Joncie Elmore) tries to track down Arthur. We see that Arthur is speaking with his father and business partners about the mill owners asking for a bailout. Arthur offers to go north and speak with the owners. When Parker leaves, he finds Stokes sitting in the hallway. Arthur arrives moments later and Stokes gives him a proposal he has written about making jerseys using the finest Darwen cotton.

Arthur says he is busy so Ted gives him the proposal and Arthur leaves moments later. His father tells him not to be unkind when he turns him down. Arthur returns home and tells Margaret that he is going to Blackburn for business but should return in a week. Martha’s brother gets dressed while telling her that they’ll be able to fight the cuts. Fergus finds Jimmy (James Harkness) sitting with Doris (Kerrie Hayes). Jimmy pretends he was too drunk to make it to his bed last night before Doris hands Fergus a letter. He heads outside, begins reading the letter, and asking Jimmy if he is going to an honest woman of Doris. Meanwhile, Martha and her brother try to convince the mill workers to stand together against the wage cuts.

Martha gives Fergus a pamphlet as he walks by. Her brother speaks to a small group while Fergus tells Jimmy that the best thing they can do is win the FA Cup. Fergus chases after Martha and catches up with her. She asks if Walsh is going to be angry with him for skipping work. Cartwright passes by in a carriage moments later. Martha tells Fergus that she has to be careful for her and her daughter. Martha helps a woman get ready for work while Arthur arrives in town. Martha overhears Arthur and the others talk about a 10% wage cut for the weavers. James doesn’t like that idea but there is little he can do since the others vote against him.

Martha’s brother finds out and begins spreading the news to others. Ted isn’t sure it is going to happen but the brother is positive that they’re going to be cut 10%. Tommy and Smalley ask James about it and he confirms that it is true. The workers call for a strike and shut off their machines immediately. Margaret speaks with Arthur’s mother about her husband and she is told that she should’ve gone with him. Fergus and Jimmy find out that nobody is going to practice with them. They go to Tommy and the others in hopes of convincing them to play. He reminds them that the FA Cup only comes around once a year. Margaret decides to go to her husband. She asks him if he would like to go for a walk that evening.

She realizes they have to find a way through this and Arthur is confident that they will. The carriage arrives for him seconds later. Meanwhile, Jimmy tells Fergus that he is thinking about proposing to Doris. Fergus has been reading a letter from his sister and he is worried about what is not in it. Fergus doesn’t want to get involved in the strike but Jimmy feels bad about that. Fergus says they don’t want any part of it. Fergus goes to James and tries to convince him to ignore the 10% cut and stand up to the guild. James says all of the workers will go down if he does. Tommy and the others meet with Arthur and his business partners moments later.

They negotiate but cannot reach an agreement. Martha’s brother threatens to turn into a mob. Arthur decides to go to Darwen so he can find out what is going on up there. Fergus speaks to Martha about the mob and the game tomorrow. She is worried that there is going to be a riot. Meanwhile, Jimmy manages to propose to Doris and she says yes. Martha’s brother, Smalley, speaks to the crowd and gets them angry. Fergus is asked to speak since he stood up to the Etonians last year. He speaks a few words about letting his feet doing the talking. Arthur arrives just in time to hear Fergus try to prevent a riot. Smalley notices Arthur and they chase after him.

Fergus tells Martha that some men will likely be dead by the morning. Martha goes with Fergus while Ted and his wife hide Arthur. Smalley arrives moments later and convinces Ted to go with him. Ted promises Arthur that he’ll warn Colonel Jackson. He makes it to Jackson before the riot can get there. He leaves his dog outside and goes in to warn them. During the chaos, Ted’s dog is shot and killed. The group threatens to burn down the property. Arthur speaks to Ted’s wife about him and his dreams. She doesn’t believe he’ll ever raise money for the factory because nobody will ever take a chance on him. Arthur says he is going to leave and find Ted.

He leaves and finds Walsh in the morning. He wants Walsh’s help. He is worried he got Ted in trouble. We see that Ted is on trial. Walsh and Arthur go there so they can help him. Arthur speaks on behalf of Ted and tells everyone that he is innocent. Arthur refers to Ted as his business partner and says he is running a shirt making business. Stokes will open the business and it’ll create a great deal of employment. Jackson agrees to withdraw his accusation against Ted. After that, Jimmy and Fergus wait for the other players to arrive. Walsh tells Tommy that they’re letting everyone down by not playing. He agrees to forget about last night, give them 5%, and they can work five days a week.

They have to make it to the match on time though. Cartwright speaks with Fergus and says he’ll never realize his ambition with Darwen. He tries to convince Fergus to join his team since he has the finest players at Blackburn. Fergus says he is loyal to Darwen and Walsh. Cartwright offers to pay him a lot more before the other players arrive. Walsh tells Fergus he went against the guild and will pay them 5%.

 

The English Game Review

I have enjoyed both episodes of The English Game so far. I am not sure how much of the show is factual but it is interesting regardless. I like that it is easy to relate to the characters and the problems they face. I figured Arthur would come around and he is. There is a good chance that he will find himself on the same side as Fergus in future episodes. Walsh managed to avert a crisis this time but he has another problem in Cartwright.

Will Fergus take the bait and switch to Cartwright’s team? It doesn’t seem so but that may change if anything goes wrong. The episode scores a 7.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The English Game are available on Reel Mockery.