As the episode begins, we see a young woman being laid to rest. Then, Marian Halcombe (Jessie Buckley) speaks with an investigator. She wants to get to the bottom of Laura’s (Olivia Vinall) death. Afterwards, a young boy delivers a letter to Walter Hartright (Ben Hardy). Walter’s friend Pesca (Ivan Kaye) encourages him take a job outside of the city. Walter doesn’t want to. He wants to focus on his own paintings. That night, he tells his mother (Cathy Belton) about the opportunity. She notices that Walter isn’t thrilled with the opportunity. Walter attends a party. On the way home, he runs into a woman wearing white. She makes a few comments about Frances. The woman says something about a mean Baronet. Walter tries to help her, but he eventually scares her away.

Then, he overhears two men talking about a woman who ran away from an asylum. He doesn’t say anything to them. The following day, Walter says goodbye to his mother and leaves for his new job. Back in the present, Pesca speaks with the investigator about Walter. He wants to know what happened to him. Walter meets Marian. She tells Walter about her relationship with Laura. When Walter spots Laura, he is reminded of the woman on white. He tells Marian about the strange encounter. Next, Walter is allowed to speak with Frederick Fairlie (Charles Dance). The man is very awkward. Walter learns more about his work before being dismissed. Then, Walter is finally introduced to Laura and the maid, Mrs. Vesey. Laura plays the piano for Walter. They speak about their passions.

The following day, they head off into the hills. Laura wants to bathe in the water. Marian speaks with Walter about the girl in white. She admits that a girl used to visit there many years ago. Her mother used to give the girl dresses. She promises to look through her mother’s letter to see what she can find out. Walter and Marian convince her not to. Later that night, Marian plays billiards with Walter. The next day, Marian goes through the letters. Walter helps Laura clean up her books. Later, Marian asks Laura about the girl in white. They recall that the girl’s name was Anne Catherick. Laura believes that Anne died, but Walter doesn’t believe so. That night, Marian continues reading the letters. Laura plays for Walter again.

The following day, Walter spots the woman in white outside of the house. He chases after her, but she gets away. He tells Marian about it later. He wonders what Anne could want. Frederick is questioned by the investigator. Frederick is asked if he was responsible for the marriage between Laura and Percival Glyde (Dougray Scott). Walter visits Laura outside. He finds her painting. Marian receives a letter and approaches Laura and Walter. The couple speak about their dreams. One thing leads to another and Laura kisses Walter. Marian notices. Marian speaks with Laura and tells her to stop with Walter. After all, Laura is set to be married. Marian speaks with Walter and tells him about the marriage. He learns that Laura’s father requested it on his deathbed two years ago. Laura receives a letter warning her about the Baronet who has done terrible things.

Marian believes it is nothing to be worried about. Walter learns and quickly suggests it would be from Anne. He is told that Percival Glyde is a Baronet. They go for a stroll. A young boy tells them about seeing a ghost in the graveyard. They check it out and discover that someone has been cleaning Frances’s grave. Marian learns and Walter stays behind. Glyde visits Laura. She is not happy to see him. In the present, Mrs. Hartright speaks with the investigator. She wants to know where Walter is. She explains that Marian visited and told Walter about a murder. The investigator reveals that Walter hired him. Anne returns to the graveyard.

She explains that she is making the stone whiter for Frances’s sake. She insists that Laura will suffer if she marries Glyde. She becomes frightened at the thought of the Baronet. She reveals that Glyde was responsible for her being in the asylum. In the present, Marian speaks with the investigator. She pleads with him to help them find the missing pieces.

 

The Woman In White Review

The opener of The Woman In White was okay. The beginning was a little drug out though. It picked up pretty good there in the end. The story itself is fascinating. I don’t recall reading the novel so everything is new to me. I can’t wait to find out what really happened. I’ll definitely stick with it. The opener scores a 7 out of 10.