At the start of the episode, Sophie and Joseph have a little fun together. Joseph says they cannot keep going on like this. He wants them to make a life together. He gives her a necklace for the time being and mentions getting rich from the gold mines in California. Albert (Tom Hughes) and Feodora (Kate Fleetwood) check out the exhibits together. Victoria (Jenna Coleman) enters and is introduced to Mr. Cole. Victoria doesn’t seem too impressed with the gold plated roses. She leaves in a hurry. Palmerston speaks about a Jew being attacked and the police joining in. Russell wants to know how he intends to avenge one man’s dignity. Bertie joins his mother as she looks at family pictures. Penge (Adrian Schiller) gets onto Joseph for not being respectfully dressed.

Abigail speaks with Joseph in private. She tells him not to give Penge any more reason to hate him. Palmerston takes the matter to Victoria. She tells him to do whatever is necessary. Palmerston wants to speak to her and the prince in person. They speak about Mr. Cole and his teapots. Albert offers an idea to the committee about their annual exhibit. He suggests it is too parochial. He intends to invite other nations to share their products. Albert gives the others a pep talk. He insists they have nothing to fear. Penge visits the Duke of Monmouth. They speak about Sophie possibly having a relationship with one of the footmen. The Duke wants evidence. He wants Penge to help. Penge will need to give evidence in court. Victoria listens to Sophie play music. They speak about Sophie’s husband and Victoria’s own marriage.

Victoria says things have changed since Feodora arrived. Sophie reminds her that true love is just as hard to lose as it is to find. Palmerston speaks out about the German leader failing to make reparations for the insult inflicted upon one of their citizens, Don Pacifico. He insists they need to show that they will not accept the abuse. He says Victoria agrees with her. He is asked what he proposes. Albert and Russell tell Victoria that Palmerston is proposing a naval blockade of Athens. Albert pleads with Victoria to stop Palmerston before matters get worse. She speaks with Duke Wellington. He gives his resignation. She pleads with him to stay. He explains she needs a younger man who can keep Palmerston in check. He tells Victoria that she is in good hands with the Prince.

Sophie is told she needs to be careful for her sake and Joseph’s. She is told what could possibly happen to her. Albert and Cole scramble to find a way to bring in other nations. They intend to use a park for the building. Their idea is ridiculed by politicians and the press. Victoria learns about it. Feodora and Albert show off the designs to the children. Victoria isn’t happy with the designs. Victoria doesn’t like Feodora supporting Albert’s idea. She tells Albert that Feo should go home to her own family. Albert tells her to stop behaving like a child. Palmerston arrives to speak with Victoria. Victoria admits she didn’t give her blessing for the naval blockade. She thought he would find a peaceful solution. She wonders what their other choices are. He suggests turning your enemy into an ally.

Sophie receives a letter. Her husband interrupts. She tells him William will be arriving at the end of the week. Victoria decides to spend time with Feodora. She tries to rekindle her relationship with Feo. She intends to offer her something as a token of her goodwill. Feo wants her daughter. She wants her 16-year-old daughter to come to court. Penge follows Joseph. Sophie tells him that her husband knows. Joseph says that the Duke at Chatsworth paid him off. She is not happy with him. Victoria reads the newspapers. Albert wonders why the newspapers are so shortsighted. He speaks with Cole about their options. Palmerston speaks with Lord Charles and Russell (John Sessions). Russell and Palmerston (Laurence Fox) argue a bit. Victoria joins Sophie (Lily Travers) and Emma.

Victoria wants to know whether Emma believes Palmerston will survive his current dilemma. Emma suggests distracting Palmerston instead of telling him he is wrong. Cole (David Newman) and Albert begin running into big problems. Palmerston interrupts Albert’s work. They speak about the difference between politicians and novelist. Victoria speaks to Wellington about finding a replacement. She suggests using Albert. She admits she wants to protect him from harm. Joseph (David Burnett) confronts Sophie. Sophie is worried what running away together would do to them. Joseph tells her that he will be a rich man with her by his side. He says he just wants to wake up beside her every morning. He doesn’t want to feel like he is committing a crime. Penge considers his options.

Victoria interrupts Albert. She tells him that Wellington wants him as commander in chief. Albert is far more interested in the exhibition. Albert believes the exhibition will be his chance to prove himself. Victoria finds Palmerston in the hallway. She shows him the new headlines. Palmerston isn’t worried about the negativity. She admits she values his advice. Albert joins Victoria in the bedroom. Victoria tells him about Feo bringing Heidi over. Albert falls asleep before the conversation can really get started. Victoria spends time with her sister the following day. She admits she wants to help Adelheid in any way she can. They speak about Heidi. They talk about putting their childhood behind them. Albert and Cole still can’t come to a decision regarding the design. Albert believes that might be a sign to give up. Palmerston reads the paper about his downfall.

He enters parliament and begins speaking. He speaks to them about the meaning of being an Englishman. Cole receives a note. The builders have increased their estimate by 10,000 pounds. Albert is concerned he will be humiliated. Palmerston manages to change opinion into his favor. The kids show Albert a newspaper article about his exhibition. He tells Feo about the position of commander in chief. He wonders if it is time he woke up. Palmerston learns that Albert turned down the position. Palmerston is praised by the locals. Victoria is surprised he was able to turn things around. Victoria returns to find Cole leaving. He was going to introduce Albert to another builder. Unfortunately, Albert is going to be too busy with his new role. Albert has lost faith in the exhibition.

She tells Cole that he is not to blame for the prince feeling discouraged. Joseph delivers a note to Sophie. Her son has arrived. He tells her he meant what he said about America. Victoria meets up with Albert. She admits she shouldn’t have offered him that position. She married a dreamer and not a soldier. Sophie returns home to William. Her husband won’t let her seen him. He has brought two doctors from the lunatic asylum to admit her. Albert is introduced to Mr. Paxton. Albert explains he wants to build a temporary building. He tells them about a specific lily and building a greenhouse for it. Albert believes Paxton will be able to help. Victoria speaks with Duke Wellington again. They speak highly of one another. He tells her to stick to her guns.

Feodora’s daughter arrives. Adelheid is introduced to Bertie and Vicky. Palmerston and Russell are concerned that the exhibition might be inviting in revolutionaries. Victoria believes the exhibition will be able to change public opinion. Feodora congratulates Palmerston on his victory in parliament. She asks him about marriage candidate for her daughter. Albert thanks Victoria for her help. Albert tells her that they’ve changed. Their love might have changed too. They joke around in bed as the episode begins.

 

Victoria Review

This episode of Victoria was pretty good. We finally managed to get over the squabbles between Victoria and Albert. That should make the show a lot more tolerable. I was getting sick and tired of the back and forth. I am really enjoying the Joseph and Sophie love affair. I am eager to see where that is going to lead in future episodes. I also like the addition of Lord Palmerston. He has been refreshing to say the least.

This episode was definitely better than some of the previous ones. It scores an 8.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Victoria right now!