As the episode begins, we see scenes from Glasgow, Scotland. Fergus (Kevin Guthrie) speaks with Mrs. Laggey on his way back home. He is surprised to find that his mother (Kate Dickie) has a black eye but he knows his father was responsible. He checks on his father who accuses him of coming back with his tail between his legs. His dad asks if his teammates know he is getting paid and he says they’re working just as hard. Fergus says the team has gotten much better since Jimmy (James Harkness) and he joined them. Dad says it is the blind leading the stupid but Fergus says he is trying to make things better. He tells his father that the violence has to end.

His father can’t imagine being paid to play the game. Later that night, Fergus offers to find a place for his mother and the others but she wants him to go back and keep playing. He believes he might have a way to help. Next, we see Cartwright (Ben Batt) at the cotton master’s club. Martha (Niamh Walsh) is told to just get out there and serve them. She does her job and checks on Cartwright. He likes the look of the apple tart but she advises him against it since it has nutmeg in it. She reminds him that nutmeg gives him heartburn so he asks for something else. After that, we jump over to Arthur (Edward Holcroft) and Margaret (Charlotte Hope).

Arthur tells Hornby that he is lucky Stokes took it easy on him. Hornby is glad Arthur got to see everything first hand so he will have a better idea of what people are up against there. Ada encourages Arthur to let his wife stay around for a few more days so she can rest and play. Margaret tells Arthur about her plans after that. Arthur begins talking about the first time he saw Margaret at a ball and she remembers Arthur ignored her but spoke to her husband that night. He says she spoke to him and he listened. Arthur leaves his wife moments later while Fergus rides on a train. When he gets off, he approaches Cartwright so they can chat about the offer.

Fergus wants to make sure Cartwright was telling the truth about paying him one hundred pounds and another six a week. Cartwright says he is a man of his word so Fergus decides to join him. He just needs a few days to make things right with the others and Walsh (Craig Parkinson). Cartwright tells him to smile since they’re going to win the FA Cup together. Next, Alfred (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) speaks with Arthur. Alfred learns about Arthur investing in the new shirt manufacturing business in the north. Arthur tells him that he watched Darwen humiliate Brigg so they need to redouble their efforts. Marindin (Daniel Ings) wanted to remind Arthur to return the Cup to Association headquarter today.

Arthur goes to his father and reveals that he wants to invest in the shirt business. He wants to approve the loan and he intends to help him. His father is not happy with the decision though. Margaret tells Ada that she knows she is stuck and everyone believes that. She admits she only sees herself being a mother in the future but that hasn’t happened yet. As a result, she doesn’t know who she is anymore. She says she can’t help Arthur and he can’t seem to help her. Ada invites her to tag along with Money and her tomorrow. Arthur and his team practice. Marindin wants to quit early but Arthur tries to convince everyone to continue. After the practice ends, Arthur tells the team about their next opponent.

Arthur tells Alfred and Francis why they ran around setting fire to things. He says they want a better life and nobody can blame them for that. Francis doesn’t understand why Arthur has to be so serious. Arthur returns home and has dinner by himself. The following day, Martha finds out that Betsy (Lara Peake) has been fired from her position. Betsy admits she won’t be able to pay rent beyond this week. Martha says she can stay with her at Aunt Jane’s for a few nights. Betsy thinks she knows a place but Martha thinks going to Brockshall would be a bad idea. Betsy says she isn’t strong like Martha and she doesn’t have anyone to look out for her. Then, we jump over to the Brockshall Women’s Refuge in Blackburn.

Margaret tours the facility with her friends. She learns about the history of the facility and its purpose. She is invited to join them for one of the interviews. Martha and Betsy arrive outside. Martha gives Betsy advice for getting accepted into the refuge before Betsy goes inside. Betsy tells Margaret and the others about her work experience but she is asked about her sexual history. She says she has sinned just once with Charlie Brand. She goes into detail about that. One of the men doesn’t believe Betsy is ashamed of her story. Margaret tries to take up for her. Then, Margaret tours the rest of the facility and sees the nursery where she speaks with Mrs. Cartwright.

She learns that Cartwright doesn’t have any living children and Margaret says she doesn’t either. She hopes the refuge will consider helping Betsy but Cartwright says she didn’t make a favorable impression. Margaret puts in a good word for her so Cartwright agrees to help. Fergus meets with the boys at the pub that night. He drinks until Walsh enters and reminds everyone how important tomorrow will be. Jimmy blames himself since they’re celebrating his upcoming marriage. Walsh notices that Fergus is drinking a lot so he gives him encouragement. Moments later, Jimmy’s old pal Davy Burns enters and Fergus doesn’t seem happy to see him. They get into an argument and Fergus ends up on the ground.

Martha cares for him until he wakes up. She asks him what happened back there. She wonders why he is such a puzzle away from the field. She tries to find out why Fergus is hurt and unhappy. He asks about Martha’s parents but she can hardly remember them. He says she had a lucky escape since she barely remembers them. She tries to kill him but he stops her and says she doesn’t know anything about him. After that, we jump forward to the game between Darwen and Derby St. Luke’s. Walsh arrives and learns about Fergus getting hit. Fergus arrives later and he doesn’t perform well during the game. The team ends up losing and that knocks them out of the cup. After that, Alfred invites Arthur to join him at the club but Arthur refuses.

Alfred tells him that he cannot hold onto the past. He explains it is time to start a new story. Arthur isn’t sure he hasn’t finished the last one yet. Arthur says his wife wanted to call their son Henry so Alfred tries to comfort him. Margaret helps Betsy at the refuge. She agrees to stay and help her through the birth of her baby. Meanwhile, Jimmy tries to find out what is bothering Fergus and Doris overhears their conversation. Fergus says that the only thing that matters is him getting married. Fergus steps into the kitchen and Doris (Kerrie Hayes) says Jimmy told her Fergus would never abandon his family. Fergus says they’re not leaving Darwen but she doesn’t believe him. He says he cannot leave his mother and sister with his father when there is a chance to get them away from them.

He promises to tell Jimmy after the wedding. Betsy gives birth to her baby and Margaret was there to help her the entire time. Jimmy and Doris prepare for their wedding. After that, Margaret is told that she is welcome to come and help at Brockshall anytime. Her friend isn’t sure why he asked Margaret to meet him at Rossie. Margaret leaves and meets with Arthur at the Rossie Priory. He says this is Henry’s Wood. He says he left her alone with her grief but she reminds him that he had his own grief to live with. He wants the plants to be a place they can remember their son. Later, Fergus and the others come together for Jimmy’s wedding. Jimmy speaks to the crowd about Darwen and it being the only home he has ever known. The group celebrates Fergus too until Tommy interrupts with a newspaper.

There is an article about Fergus going to Cartwright’s team in Blackburn. Jimmy can’t believe it and the others are angry. Fergus explains that he didn’t have a choice. Jimmy breaks down. The following day, Jimmy leaves on his own and the episode ends.

 

The English Game Review

I’ve enjoyed every episode of The English Game so far. While the show is about football, it places a lot of emphasis on relationships, struggles, losses, and so much more. I like the time period and the characters. I am not sure what is going to happen next so that is a good thing. I don’t believe Fergus will lift the cup with Cartwright. I think they’ll somehow up going back to Walsh’s team and they’ll win.

I could be wrong but that would make the most sense. It’ll be an entertaining ride either way. The episode was good. It scores a 7.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of The English Game can be found on Reel Mockery.