As this episode begins, Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde) explains why she cannot be with Tom Jones (Solly McLeod). Once she goes inside, Sophia tells Aunt Western (Shirley Henderson) that William Blifil can never be her heart’s choice. That upsets Aunt Western who insists she won’t let Sophia disgrace her father’s name. Sophia doesn’t believe William Blifil (James Wilbraham) even loves her although he hates Tom Jones. It is awkward when William and Sophia hang out. William tells Sophia that their marriage cannot come too soon. Tom Jones speaks to Squire Allworthy (James Fleet) about his love for Sophia Western and how he believes she loves him.

Squire Allworthy reminds him that the decision has already been made so he must learn to see Sophia as a sister. When Sophia tells Squire Western (Alun Armstrong) her true feelings, he reveals that her grandmother was frightened about her wedding night as well. When it was all over, she said it wasn’t that bad. Her happiness is all he lives for. Sophia pleads with him to show mercy because she cannot live with Mr. Blifil. Squire Western refuses to change his mind. If he’d waited for her grandmother’s consent, he’d be a bachelor still and a happy one. As Tom enters, Squire Western proposes that they’ll be friends for life if Tom can knock some sense into her.

Sophia doesn’t want to see Tom because she looks awful, but he insists she looks beautiful. She suspects her grandfather knows she owes him everything so she can’t bear to make him unhappy. Tom doesn’t think he can live in the world without Sophia. She says the same. William speaks to Aunt Western about his difficulties with Sophia. They’re not happy when Squire Western says Tom will sort her out. Instead, Sophia convinces Tom to give her one kiss. They burst in to stop them. Squire Western chases Tom down on his horse and whips him before William rides by and smirks at him. Squire Western and William barge into Squire Allworthy’s home to complain.

Allworthy reminds Squire Western that William must choose freely and he may no longer think Sophia is suitable. Aunt Bridget (Felicity Montagu) tells Tom that he is always his worst enemy. William will take pity on Sophia and guide her to a full understanding of her sins. He wants the wedding to be sooner than Michaelmas. Squire Western suggests tomorrow while Squire Allworthy says the day after tomorrow. Once Western leaves, Squire Allworthy tells William that he has been right about Tom all along since Tom has proved himself unworthy of the trust he put in him. Later that night, Tom speaks to Aunt Bridget and Squire Allworthy about his feelings for Sophia.

Tom asks for the Squire’s forgiveness although he cannot promise to ever accept the loss of her. Bridget urges her brother to forgive him, but the Squire thinks they’ve forgiven him often enough. The Squire wants to make sure Tom never bothers Sophia Western again. He never wants to see or hear from Tom again. The Squire wants to give him money so no one can say he threw him out without a penny. Honour Newton (Pearl Mackie) tells Sophia that the gossip in the servant’s hall is that Allworthy has thrown Tom out and he has left Paradise Hall for good. Black George Seagrim (Dean Lennox Kelly) finds Tom writing a letter to Sophia. He has second thoughts though and suggests sending it to Sophia wouldn’t be right.

He also realizes that they can’t be together now. Tom asks George to watch over Sophia for him. He tells George he is going to London. When Tom leaves, George picks up the paper he threw to the ground. Sophia waits for Tom to write and suggests he never loved her if he doesn’t. Aunt Western tells Sophia to prepare to be married in the morning. Once they’re alone, Sophia tells Honour that she refuses the marriage and must leave this house tonight. Sophia has other aunts in London so they can always go there. Tom Jones goes to a pub where he is confronted by Patrick Fitzpatrick (Julian Rhind-Tutt). A man sitting nearby hears Tom’s name when he introduces himself to Patrick.

While Sophia and Honour try to escape, Patrick and Tom continue drinking together. When Tom mentions Sophia Western, Patrick says he knew a girl by that name that had been lain by half the young fellows in Bristol. He continues joking about Sophia until Tom gets upset and attacks him. The fight ends when Patrick smashes a stool over Tom’s head. The man sitting nearby patches him up. The man, Benjamin Partridge (Daniel Rigby), explains that he was once a teacher and a householder until he took in Jenny Jones. Benjamin admits he lost his home and everything because of Tom Jones. He insists he wasn’t the sinner and was never unfaithful to his wife so he is not Tom’s father.

Tom wants to pay their bill until he learns that his money is gone. Benjamin agrees to handle it even though Tom doesn’t feel great about that. Black George runs into Sophia and tells her that Tom is heading to London. Sophia says they are too before Honour arrives with her dresses because they’re her worldly wealth. In the morning, William begins preparing for his wedding. Aunt Western and Squire Western learn that Sophia is missing. Sophia and Honour speak to Benjamin outside the pub. Then, they go inside and learn that Tom was there and spoke about Sophia. Tom finds Patrick bothering a woman so he gets involved and helps her. She tells Tom she was going to Upton when the stranger attacked her.

Tom agrees to escort Mrs. Waters (Susannah Fielding) there. As they walk together, Tom admits there was a girl although she is getting married this morning. Honour and Sophia make it to Upton and check into The Bird In Hand Inn. They learn that Mrs. Flowers (Kirsty Bushell) is in charge of the establishment. Susan (Laura Marcus) is told to mind her manners. They get the best room. When Tom and Mrs. Waters get there, they have to take the second-best room. Benjamin has to help convince Mrs. Flowers to give them a room by saying Tom is the son of Squire John Allworthy of Paradise Hall. Sophia watches Mrs. Waters go to her room while Tom and Benjamin get a drink downstairs.

Tom goes to his room to eat with Mrs. Waters. Benjamin tells Susan about being a teacher and being friends with Tom. He is paying for Tom in the hopes he can help him get his life back. That night, Tom and Mrs. Waters have sex. Sophia and Honour get tired of hearing them so they begin banging on the wall and telling them to be quiet. Mrs. Waters tells Tom she is the one who wants to be able to tame the bad boy. She thinks Tom will forget her and he might’ve forgotten her already. Patrick barges into the inn that night and disturbs the guests. Mrs. Waters quickly gets Tom up so he can hide just before Patrick bursts into the room. He apologizes to her for being such a beast and insists he really loves her.

When Mrs. Flowers and Susan enter the room, Waters tells them that Colonel Fitzpatrick is an English hero. Once they leave. Mrs. Waters tells Patrick to come to bed. Tom manages to escape without Patrick noticing. In the morning, Benjamin shares his breakfast with Honour and tells her about Tom Jones. As Sophia comes down the stairs, she hears Susan saying she saw Tom creeping out of the room next to theirs. Sophia gets upset and rushes out of the inn. She wants to get a coach to London to see Aunt Harriet and never speak of this again. Benjamin tells Tom about it. Tom realizes that she didn’t marry William because she came after him. Benjamin finds money and the fact that she has an Aunt Harriet in London.

Tom wants to follow her although Benjamin doubts there is a point now. Tom thinks he can win her back. As they ride on a carriage, Tom explains he wants to find her and give the money back. Tom insists he will find her. Sophia admits she lost her aunt’s address and didn’t arrive in London with nowhere to stay on purpose. As they walk around the shady side of town, Sophia says 24 Marylebone Place to herself. When Honour goes into a pub, a man tells her that she looks lost. Once she comes out of the pub, she says they need to look for Sophia’s aunt on Marylebone Lane. They finally make it and Sophia tells Aunt Harriet (Tamzin Merchant) what happened.

Sophia wants to meet her husband. Harriet says she can stay tonight, but it is best for her to leave after that. She can stay with her aunt Lady Bellaston because Harriet’s life isn’t what she imagined. Harriet tells her not to do what she did and think love is enough. Patrick Fitzpatrick enters and tells Harriet that he and Sophia are already acquainted. Sophia and Honour leave in the morning to stay with another aunt of Sophia. Now that they’re in London, they’re soon to learn that no one can be trusted. Tom leaves notes for Harriet saying he will come until he finds her. Lady Bellaston wants to surround Sophia with a tonier class of person.

Eventually, Harriet lets Tom come inside so she can tell him that Sophia went with another aunt. She doesn’t want to tell Tom where Sophia went. Lady Bellaston (Hannah Waddingham) visits while Tom is still there.

 

Tom Jones Review

The second episode of Tom Jones followed the path of the first and was hindered by some of the same problems. The story has been condensed greatly to fit four episodes. Although this could’ve worked, it seems that some of the most important scenes were removed. We barely even know who Tom and Sophia are because the characters weren’t given enough time to develop.

As for everything else, it feels like the show has sped through important scenes while focusing too much on sex. There isn’t enough substance to make Tom Jones anything more than a mediocre, watered-down retelling of the story. The show isn’t necessarily bad, but it probably isn’t going to be memorable either. Instead, we’re just going through the motions to get to the finish line.

It may reach some emotional heights in the next two episodes though. At the very least, the show is watchable. It is only four episodes and the book will close so it may be a justifiable binge in the long run. This episode scores a 5.5 out of 10. Recaps of Tom Jones are available on Reel Mockery here.

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