As the third episode of Tom Jones begins, Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde) gets dressed while discussing the possibility of a future in London. Sophia trusts Lady Bellaston (Hannah Waddingham) because she is her aunt. Tom Jones (Solly McLeod) and Benjamin Partridge (Daniel Rigby) are introduced to Nightingale (Will Fletcher) at their temporary residence. Tom learns there was a package for him on the doorstep. He receives an invite to the upcoming masquerade. They discuss the possibility of getting tickets. Tom begins suspecting that the package was sent by Sophia Western, but Benjamin isn’t sure about that.

Before the masquerade, Tom receives instructions from Nightingale. Tom believes he will know Sophia by her voice immediately. He goes around asking the women if he can hear their voices. Tom is approached by a masked woman who threatens to tell Miss Western if he flirts with any more trollops. He tries to get information about Sophia, but the woman won’t tell him anything. Tom tells Lady Bellaston that there is no excuse for his behavior, but she believes young men may take pleasure where they will. Tom just wants to see Sophia so he can tell her to her face how much he loves her. Bellaston thinks he should focus more on making a living.

When she asks him about paying the bill, Tom confesses that his pockets are empty. She shows him money and says something about Tom following her. While the fireworks explode outside, Sophia lies in bed in her room. Then, Tom follows Bellaston’s carriage back to Aunt Harriet’s house. When Tom goes inside, he says he was informed that Miss Western had left this house. Bellaston says she isn’t there before asking what gentleman asks for one lady while in the presence of another. After taking off her mask, Bellaston insists that Sophia will never be his. She claims Sophia said she could never forgive him for betraying her. Bellaston believes another girl will capture his heart in no time.

She gives him a drink and says it is only natural to seek comfort where they may. They end up having sex while Bellaston’s workers laugh outside. Once they finished, Lady Bellaston admits she has had better loves. She would trade it all for his enthusiasm. She thinks there will be a next time and even wants to buy Tom better clothes. Although Tom doesn’t want to take her money, she urges him to consider it a loan from a kind benefactor. Tom isn’t sure he can pay her back, but Bellaston is sure he can. She tells him that his life is in London now. Lady Bellaston tells him to leave or make love to her. They have sex again. In the morning, Aunt Harriet (Tamzin Merchant) watches Tom leave.

Lady Bellaston asks her if she is jealous, but Harriet reminds her that poor Sophia loves him. Tom returns to his lodging and gives Benjamin 50 pounds. Tom tells him to change the note, pay back everything he owes, and cover the rent with Mrs. Miller (Frances Grey). Honour Newton (Pearl Mackie) helps Sophia get ready for the day. When Honour asks her about the makeup on her face, Sophia tells her to take it all off. Tom continues his fun with Lady Bellaston who claims they’re a lot alike. She claims they choose pleasure and nothing else matters. Harriet listens to them from downstairs. She begins writing a letter to her cousin. Harriet prays that Sophia will one day forgive her for disclosing her location.

She suspects that only her loving family can save the poor child now. As Tom leaves, the workers outside tell him to get a proper job. Later, Lady Bellaston speaks to Lord Fellamar (Tom Durant Pritchard) about Sophia and her looks. He calls her exquisite. Harriet tells Sophia that she should go home, but Sophia refuses to go home and marry someone she does not love. Tom receives clothes from Bellaston with a note asking him to meet her at her house. She wants him to think of it as a promotion. Nightingale barges in to see if he wants to go to the theatre tonight. He notices that Tom has a note and new clothes. Tom asks him what a man is supposed to do and argues that it doesn’t mean anything.

Then, he confesses he doesn’t know how to end it without hurting her. Lord Fellamar follows Sophia home and asks about calling on her tomorrow. Sophia asks him not to do that before he leaves. Tom runs into Sophia who almost faints. He returns her money and pocketbook. She makes it clear that she lost her affection for him and doesn’t want an explanation. Tom thought he lost her. He hasn’t seen that lady since and doesn’t want to. Tom insists he doesn’t want any woman alive except her. Sophia left her entire life behind for him. When Sophia questions what he is doing there, Lady Bellaston interrupts and learns why Tom is there. Tom tells Bellaston he is glad to find Sophia safe with her.

When Tom leaves, Lady Bellaston tells Sophia that they will speak tomorrow. Lady Bellaston tells Honour how Sophia will need to submit her maiden head to the frightful attentions of Lord Fellamar. Honour hopes Sophia isn’t writing to Tom Jones because he is no use to her now. Sophia pleads with Honour not to leave her. The next day, Lady Bellaston tells Sophia that she had a dreadful suspicion when she first came into the room. She wondered if this Mr. Smith was the infamous Mr. Jones himself. Bellaston reminds Sophia that her duty is to her family and that her marriage bed is the family’s most precious possession. She says a gentleman is coming and Sophia will receive him.

As for Mr. Jones, he will be free to learn his lessons elsewhere. Aunt Western (Shirley Henderson) tells Squire Western (Alun Armstrong) that Harriet has written from London. Sophia has been found and she must be saved. Bellaston waits for Jones to return and tells him that she will not share him. They learn that Miss Western’s maid is there to see Tom who says he’ll send her away. Bellaston hides so Honour can bring Tom a letter. Once Honour comes in, she tells Tom that she doesn’t like him. However, they’ve fallen among thieves. Honour explains that Lady Bellaston is no better than she should be. She goes on to say Bellaston meets mucky men at the house of her poor cousin. Honour reads the letter from Sophia in which she worries the Ladyship suspects the truth.

Before Honour leaves, she notices that Bellaston is hiding nearby. She flees. Bellaston wants Sophia’s letter, but Tom says giving it to her would make him the opposite of a gentleman. She asks Tom to undress her but he says no because this is wrong. Tom had given up all hope of Sophia, but he now knows that he loves her. Bellaston admits it would be enough even if she comes second. She asks what real gentleman would turn her away. Later, Benjamin worries that they’re going to be thrown out even though it was never his fault. Once Mrs. Miller enters, Tom tells her that the lady wept and he comforted her through the night. She tells him he’ll leave her home and never return. Outside, Tom confesses to Benjamin that this isn’t fair to him.

Benjamin doesn’t think Mrs. Miller will stay angry for long. Tom says she’ll stay disappointed and that’s so much worse. Lord Fellamar tells Lady Bellaston that he is in love with Sophia. He learns that she is an heiress whose grandfather’s estate is easily worth 3,000 pounds a year. Lady Bellaston admits there is a little obstacle though. Honour tells Sophia she thinks she should move on and get away from her old life. Lord Fellamar doesn’t want to do what Lady Bellaston suggests although she argues persuasion will be a waste of his time. Later, Fellamar tells Sophia how her grandfather will be asked for her hand in marriage. Sophia doesn’t think he will give it.

Fellamar throws himself on her until Squire Western enters the room. Bellaston tells him what is going on. Sophia isn’t happy to learn that it was all Bellaston’s idea. Squire Western intends to take Sophia away without Honour because her services are no longer required. William is in the carriage. Squire Western explains they aren’t going home until they’re safely married. They find a place to stay. Squire Western tells William Blifil (James Wilbraham) that they’re stuck in London until he can get a proper yes out of Sophia. William thinks they could be married tomorrow. Squire Western thinks he should woo her. Tom speaks to Bellaston because he believes she can save Sophia.

Lady Bellaston tells him that Sophia will be wed this very week into her own class and she’ll be as miserable as every other married woman. She wants to have sex with Tom who says he isn’t in the mood. Tom pleads with her to take care of Miss Western and ensure her safety and happiness. Bellaston warns him not to go near her or she’ll tell Sophia what they did. Tom complains that she’ll break Sophia’s heart before he leaves. Black George (Dean Lennox Kelly) brings Sophia breakfast although she says she won’t eat it. He tells her that Tom Jones would do anything for her. He would take Tom a letter or do anything for him too. Sophia writes a letter to him and tells him where she is staying. After visiting Sophia, Harriet returns and tells Bellaston how she is imprisoned.

Bellaston asks her to bring William to see her. When he comes in, Bellaston asks him what kind of husband he will be to Sophia. William intends to narrow her horizons and discipline her ambition within the confines of the nursery, the kitchen, and her needlework. Benjamin tells Tom they’re going to see his rich lady friend and he is going to put his hand out. They discuss the possibility of going somewhere else such as America. William barges into Sophia’s room and learns she has changed her outfit. She reminds him that she has asked him to leave. William complains about Tom and suggests even his own mother prefers Tom to him. Sophia knees him in the privates and makes him leave.

Tom and Benjamin talk about his mother who was only 15 at the time. Benjamin tells him that there was a letter waiting at Miller’s place. It is from Sophia. Tom worries it is too late because she’ll learn the worst of him if he tries to see her now. When Benjamin suggests going home, Tom admits he doesn’t know where that is anymore. Sophia talks about happy endings and why they matter. She doesn’t know why she ever thought she was special or why she thought Tom was.

 

Tom Jones Review

Unfortunately, it feels like Tom Jones has really lost its way. The story is all over the place without enough direction to keep me genuinely interested from start to finish. The performances are mostly okay, but the lack of substance and emotion make this a lifeless retelling of the story.

The pacing of the series likely means that the story will be rushed in the last episode. Otherwise, it would leave too many doors open. Solly McLeod could’ve been great as Tom Jones, but the character is written in a way that makes him a poor sod. I need someone to cheer for and the series hasn’t given me that.

The series is just okay although it’ll probably be quickly forgotten when the final episode is over. This one scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of Tom Jones are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here.