At the start of the episode, Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) speaks with Rawdon (Tom Bateman) romantically. Rawdon prepares to join the other soldiers on the battlefield. Becky manages to keep him delayed for just a bit longer. Moments later, they escape and avoid the rent collector. Jane (Ellie Kendrick) and John Osborne (Robert Pugh) wait for George (Charlie Rowe) to arrive for dinner. He never makes it. John wants George to run out of money and crawl back to him. William Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) and George chat about their upcoming battle against Napoleon. George seems a little too optimistic about their future. A soldier forces Dobbin to think about the grim future and their possible demise.

Dobbin tells the soldier to make his mother proud. Moments later, Dobbin shares a drink with Jane. He wants to say something important to her before he leaves. She thinks that Dobbin is expressing an interest in her. He corrects her right away. John interrupts. Dobbin tries to convince John to make things right with his son. John ridicules Amelia (Claudia Jessie). Dobbin tells him that nobody will insult Amelia in his presence. John suggests a duel. He tells Dobbin that he hopes he can live with himself. Becky and Rawdon plan their future. George and Rawdon plays cards while Becky and Amelia speak. Amelia tells Becky that they’ll leave all of their troubles behind.

John removes George from the family bible. Dobbin reunites and delivers a letter to George. The letter is from his lawyer. A piece of paper falls to the ground. George learns that he has been disowned by his father. Dobbin gets the paper and learns that George was given 2,000 pounds. George blames Dobbin for his troubles. The others listen to them argue. He also turns on Amelia again. Becky tells Rawdon to ask George for the money first thing in the morning. Becky says that they’ll look for new gaming partners as soon as they get to Belgium. They’ll also find new friends with more money. The following day, George introduces Amelia to Major O’Dowd and his wife, Peggy. Amelia and Peggy speak about the flowers and the soldiers. George and Amelia attend a lavish party.

George tries to win over the women. It doesn’t work. Becky joins Rawdon a short time later. George’s problems continue to spiral out of control. The enjoy the opera. It is clear the George is envious of Becky. After the singing stops, George interrupts Becky’s conversation with the general. She thanks him for helping her escape. George tries to flirt with Becky. She tells George that he is not worthy of Amelia. Amelia and Becky speak about the general, while George and Rawdon play cards. Amelia watches as Becky gets a little too close to George. George and Amelia have dinner with Lord Bareacres and his wife. They insult Amelia and George. Later, George insists that the Bareacres couple is better than them. She wants to know how much the dinner cost them.

George tells her that she should be more like Becky. He leaves her in a hurry. Outside, he buys flowers from a vendor. Rawdon tells Becky to calm down his flirting with Osborne. The flowers are delivered to Becky. She promises Rawdon that she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Becky runs into Jos (David Fynn). Jos is introduced to Rawdon. General Tufto (Richard Dixon) gives flowers to Becky. He ushers Becky to his carriage. At the ball, Amelia waits for George. He continues making a fool of himself. Becky, Rawdon and Tufto enter. Becky joins Amelia who is fitting alone. She encourages Amelia to stop George from gambling. George asks Becky to dance. Amelia lets Becky dance with him. Dobbin enters moments later and sees Amelia crying.

Dobbin tries to comfort Amelia. Tufto gets news. George gives Becky flowers and a note. Amelia asks Dobbin to take her home. Before he can, they receive news that Napoleon is marching on Brussels. Amelia pleads with Dobbin to bring George home with him. Rawdon considers what Becky could sell for money. Rawdon wants a family. Becky doesn’t seem interested in having kids though. Rawdon tells Becky how happy he is married to her. George drinks and watches as Rawdon leaves. He calls for Becky. She doesn’t acknowledge him. She reads the note from George. He wants to flee with her that night. She hides the note. Dobbin tries to convince George to stop drinking. At Dobbin’s urging, George goes to Amelia. The soldiers prepare to march onward in the morning.

George tries to make things right with Amelia. Dobbin tells Jos to keep her sister safe. George joins Dobbin. George, Dobbin and Rawdon march towards battle. Becky wakes up after they’ve gone. Jos learns a little more about the war. He decides to go out and learn the truth. Becky visits Amelia. Amelia ridicules Becky for not loving her husband. She reminds Becky of the things she has done for her over the years. Amelia forces Becky to leave. Becky can hear cannon fire taking place in the distance.

 

Vanity Fair Review

Vanity Fair has been okay. It has gotten a little better with each episode though. This episode was a step in the right direction. We finally got some raw emotion, but it had very little to do with Becky. Instead, it is Amelia Sedley who has stolen the show. I must admit that I am barely interested in Becky’s exploits. The highlight of the show is the love triangle between George, William and Amelia. It is really tough for me to like the Becky character.

The episode did a good job of pushing the story further and making Becky very unlikeable. It scores a 7 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Vanity Fair today!