At the beginning of the episode, we are taken to the mill in Darwen. Fergus Suter (Kevin Guthrie) receives abuse from the Darwen players for switching teams. Jimmy Love (James Harkness) doesn’t say much but it is clear that he is angry at his friend. Fergus speaks with James Walsh (Craig Parkinson) moments later. Walsh asks how much Cartwright (Ben Batt) is paying him to switch teams. Fergus admits he is being paid six pounds per week. Walsh admits she should’ve known that Fergus would switch teams at some point. They argue a bit until Fergus says he had to do it for his family. Jimmy tells Fergus that he should’ve told him about the switch.

Fergus explains that Cartwright wants Jimmy as well but his friend isn’t willing to switch just yet. Jimmy says Darwen is his team and family now and he accuses Fergus of leaving him. Next, Arthur (Edward Holcroft) checks on Margaret (Charlotte Hope) and she thanks him for the gesture. Arthur asks Alma to come with him and watch the game. She agrees and tells her husband that there is someone she wants him to meet. After that, Fergus visits Martha (Niamh Walsh). She tells him that he doesn’t owe him anything but he apologizes anyway. Fergus says that he may play for Blackburn but he will be staying in Darwen. Cartwright enters and interrupts their conversation seconds later.

Fergus leaves with Cartwright and they begin looking at the football field and facilities. Fergus learns that he is going to be playing alongside Jack Hunter. That convinces him that the team is indeed going to be the future. Cartwright encourages Suter to keep his mind on football and not other things but giving him the money. After that, Arthur and Margaret go to Brockshall Women’s Refuge. They tour the facility until Margaret finds Betsy (Lara Peake). Margaret and Arthur find out that they took Betsy’s baby from her and she isn’t dead. Margaret had to give her away. Arthur believes she did it for the benefit of her baby but she explains that they did not give her a choice. Margaret says she sees a brave woman having to endure something unendurable.

After that, Arthur asks Margaret if she wants to change the arrangements but she doesn’t know what she wants. They speak with Mrs. Cartwright and tells her that Betsy wants her daughter back. She is not willing to help though. Margaret wants to know who took the baby but Cartwright won’t tell her. Arthur apologizes for taking up her time before they leave. Meanwhile, Martha runs into Cartwright and he says he saw her with Fergus. He isn’t sure Fergus deserves her. Then, he explains that he would not be able to leave Lydia to be with her. She doesn’t blame him but admits her life got lost in all of his and she wants it back. She says he needs to let her go on her own way.

Their conversation comes to an end when Martha’s boss enters the room. After that, Cartwright speaks with Walsh in private. Walsh believes Fergus had something special for Darwen but Cartwright wants to keep the situation discreet. Cartwright says Walsh showed him the way before offering him a hundred pounds to compensate for Suter. Cartwright proposes a match to be played between Blackburn and Darwen next week and they can split the earnings. Next, Fergus tells Doris (Kerrie Hayes) she doesn’t have to cook for him. Jimmy enters seconds later. Fergus offers to get free tickets to the game for Jimmy but his friend doesn’t seem thrilled with the offer. Jimmy suggests it might be time for Fergus to move out.

Jimmy tells Doris that he left his family and team for Fergus and now he had left everyone to join their biggest rivals. He blames Fergus for getting them knocked out of the cup and Fergus hears everything. After that, Martha’s boss accuses her of trying to seduce Cartwright and using that to climb the ladder. She denies it but he thinks it might be time for her to find a new job. Arthur speaks with Alfred (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) and his other buddies about Blackburn and the Welsh Druids. Arthur intends to go to the game because they’ll be up against one of them in the final if they beat Preston. They’re worried that Blackburn is building a team that will be everyone.

Alfred is not worried in the least though. Meanwhile, Alma’s friend tries to cheer her up but she insists she is fine. Next, Arthur checks on Margaret. He tries to convince her that Betsy’s child will be better off where she is at now. After that, Margaret asks her friend for an address. Meanwhile, Jimmy tells Doris that he feels kind of trapped before they laugh and play around together. Fergus listens to them from his room and looks at a picture of his mother. Mrs. Cartwright finds Mrs. Hornby who wants to know the address for the adopted baby. Hornby is told that the refuge cannot afford to keep the children there. Hornby doesn’t think it is a good idea but she gives the address to Margaret anyway.

After that, Fergus speaks with Jack before the game. Hunter tells him that he is the captain so Fergus will have to play a different spot. While their team wins, Fergus doesn’t do well and Hunter steals the show. Arthur confronts Fergus after the game ends and says he wasn’t his usual self out there. Fergus believes it will take time to learn the team’s ways but Arthur wonders if they’re learning his. Arthur believes it would be wise for Blackburn’s players to do so. Fergus admits he missed people back in Darwen. Arthur tells him that he needs to solve his personal problems to improve his game and be the best. After that, Fergus tracks down Martha and finds out about her being fired.

He tells her that he has responsibilities and his family depends on him. Meanwhile, Arthur and his friends learn more about the operation Ted (Joncie Elmore) has going on. Stokes has secured orders from some of the local football clubs. Next, they return home and have dinner with their wives. Arthur learns about Hornby going back to Brockshall and Alma keeping her company. The men start talking football and Arthur admits he is starting to think Alma was right and that none of it matters. One man says they believe Marindin (Daniel Ings) is worried that Blackburn might take the Cup from the Old Etonians but Alfred and Arthur aren’t worried about it. Margaret tells them that she has plans but she won’t tell them what they are.

Arthur tries to find out what she is going on about later that night. He says they were doing better but he thinks their relationship is fading again. Then, she admits she wonders if Mrs. Cartwright is not facing something. She leaves a few seconds later. Next, Fergus goes to Jimmy and tries to convince him to join Blackburn. He also says he is going to buy him a bed. Margaret apologizes to Arthur for not coming before he leaves. Arthur joins Alfred and he wonders if his wife will be alright. Alfred says they should focus on the match. Mrs. Hornby decides to take along with Martha in case she gets herself into trouble. Arthur, Alfred, and Francis make it to Preston and argue about football being a business or a game. Francis is also concerned about players being paid to join Blackburn and others.

Francis says that Blackburn is playing an exhibition match so they can earn money and buy another player. He wants to find evidence so he can expel them from the FA but Arthur thinks that is crazy. Alfred says Arthur put football before everything and he believes Alma will agree with that. Moments later, Tommy (Gerard Kearns) confronts Fergus in the pub and tells him that he isn’t welcome in this establishment. They go back and forth until Jimmy and offers alcohol. Then, he tells everyone that he will be joining Fergus at Blackburn. The argument continues until Tommy and his buddies leave. Margaret visits the address and is confronted by a woman.

Margaret says she wants to know about the baby girl before she is asked who gave her the address. Margaret is invited inside seconds later. She goes inside and finds out how the baby is being cared for. The woman says her adoption fee is ten pounds. The woman says the refuge needs to get the babies off their hands so she takes them. She explains that the rest is her business but Alma doesn’t think they should be treated that way. Margaret wants to take the baby and send ten pounds later but the woman won’t allow it. Alma is pushed around before she tries to run off with the baby. Arthur arrives seconds later and calms things down.

They ride in a carriage and Arthur says it was a terrible place and a terrible woman. He says they should have it closed down. Alma doesn’t believe Mrs. Cartwright would’ve allowed it and Arthur says he’ll see what can be done about getting the Kinnaird Foundation aboard. Alma apologizes for the ten pounds. Then, they agree to do more and Alma is surprised Arthur skipped the quarter finals to help her. Cartwright visits Martha and says he heard about her job. She explains that she has no regrets but they cannot carry on like this. She says it is over. Cartwright offers her money since she has his baby but Martha doesn’t want to take it. After that, Alma takes the baby to Betsy.

Betsy is excited to see her baby again. Arthur tells his wife that she did something really good here and she includes him too. Cartwright goes to his wife and says he has something to tell her. Meanwhile, people begin preparing to watch the football game between Blackburn and Darwen. Tommy tells his teammates to clatter them whether or not they have the ball. Ted arrives with a shirt for the captain, Tommy. Ted says it will be his last match with Darwen since he needs to focus on his business. Tommy is not going to cast him into the darkness like he did Fergus and Jimmy. As for Jimmy, he doesn’t like his new jersey too much. Cartwright tells Suter that he pays him the most because he could be the best. He wants Fergus to earn his money.

Fergus tells Jack that he has been thinking of a way they can play together that will bring out the best of both. Jack accepts the advice. The game begins and things get physical between Tommy and Fergus very quickly. Fergus and Jimmy manage to score first but the crowd is very angry. Tommy runs into Jimmy at one point and injures him. Doris rushes down to check on him while a fight breaks out among the crowd. Jimmy is taken off of the field on a stretcher before a doctor checks the wound and finds a bloody mess. Fergus is worried that Jimmy might lose his leg but the doctor says he might lose his life first.

 

The English Game Review

Sorry for any errors above. I wrote this in the car while running around so there might be errors above. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed this show a lot and I think many people will. Things have changed a lot of Fergus, Jimmy, Arthur, and Margaret. Fergus and Jimmy have come back together to play against Darwen while Arthur seems eager to put his wife before the game. Tommy injured Jimmy at the end of the episode and that could be very bad. Will he lose his life or his leg?

How will that play out between Fergus and Tommy? It will also be interesting to see what happens between Martha, Cartwright, and Fergus. This episode was very entertaining. It scores an 8 out of 10. Previous recaps of The English Game can be found on Reel Mockery.