At the start of the episode, Albert (Tom Hughes) is told by Henry Cole (David Newman) that the Russian exhibits have been held up. Victoria (Jenna Coleman) interrupts and encourages Albert to come have breakfast. He tells her about the Russian ships. Albert has no choice but to eat breakfast. Victoria receives a letter encouraging her to stop the exhibit. A letter arrives about Sophie taking a turn for the worst. Joseph (David Burnett) overhears. Emma (Anna Wilson-Jones) says Sophie (Lily Travers) has been looking well as of late. The letter says Sophie is suffering from some type of inflammation of the brain. Meanwhile, we see Sophie sobbing in bed.

Palmerston (Laurence Fox) arrives with bad news for Albert. Heidi (Ellen Evans) is introduced to Palmerston). Feodora (Kate Fleetwood) doesn’t like their flirtatious conversation. Victoria wants to help Heidi find a dress. Albert talks to Feo about finding a match for Heidi. Bertie listens in. Victoria reads to the children a bit later. Vicky (Louisa Bay) asks Victoria about marrying the crown prince and living in Berlin. She admits she wants to stay with her. Victoria tells her she will marry for love. She tells Bertie that Heidi will do the same. Palmerston tells Russell (John Sessions about a dispatch from Paris. There has been a coup and Louis Napoleon has declared himself emperor. Palmerston is confident he has no plans to attack Britain.

Sophie watches children play outside of her window. Charles (Nicholas Audsley) visits her. Sophie tells him she wants to see her son. Charles threatens to send her to the asylum. Sophie threatens to tell the Queen what he has done. He tells her that she will not be going to the exhibition. Henry and Albert discuss the hateful newspaper articles. Albert continues working since they haven’t sold enough tickets. Victoria offers to use herself to sell the tickets. Albert doesn’t want that, but she insists. Albert and Victoria go to bed. Victoria wakes up in the middle of the night to find her husband gone. She joins Albert on the balcony. He says the Times has called them a white elephant. He believes he built a monument to his own folly.

Victoria tells him that people will need to get used to the idea. If not, he will still be her husband and the father of her children. The following day, Palmerston meets with Feo in the park. Palmerston talks to Feo about marrying Heidi off to Louis Napoleon. Palmerston tells Feo why he likes the idea. Feo begins to like the idea. Abigail (Sabrina Bartlett) fixes Victoria’s hair. She asks her about Sophie. Victoria says the Duke claims she is no better. Abigail offers to make some inquiries. Victoria agrees to let her. She intends to write a letter to be delivered in person. Heidi prances around in her new dress. Heidi speaks highly of Victoria and Albert. She says Albert thinks she will like Sigmund. Victoria and Albert complain about Palmerston congratulating Louis.

Russell doesn’t believe Palmerston will have the support of the public or the Commons. Albert confronts Feo about speaking with Palmerston in the park. Albert says he put the whole exhibition in jeopardy. He is glad Sigmund is still coming. Palmerston attempts to explain himself to Victoria. She confirms she will be at the exhibition. He recommends she stay away from the event. Abigail tries to visit Sophie in person. She speaks with the maid about the illness. Abigail finds out about Sophie being locked in her room. She reports back to Victoria right away. Victoria is adamant that Sophie is not a lunatic. She wants to speak with the duke at once. Abigail tries to convince Joseph to stay away from Charles. She is worried he will get himself into big trouble.

Abigail goes off on Penge (Adrian Schiller) for being surprised Joseph has real feelings. Penge is worried Joseph might be interested in using Sophie for his own advancement. Henry Palmerston finds Emily (Pandora Clifford) playing piano at home. Emily reveals she has been invited to the exhibition. She wonders if Napoleon really deserves his support. They go upstairs together. Russell tells a small group that he cannot stop a vote of censure against the foreign secretary. He says they need to be sure about getting him out this time. Charles visits Victoria as requested. Victoria tells him she doesn’t believe anything is wrong with Sophie’s mind. He claims he has had no choice. Victoria wants to see Sophie at the exhibition tomorrow. Charles unlocks her door when he returns home.

In the middle of the night, Bertie wakes up Victoria. He says he believes Papa is dead. They find Albert passed out. Victoria wakes him up. Albert tells Victoria he doesn’t want her to come with him to the exhibition. He is afraid she will be tainted by his failure. She says she will come. The next day, Albert and the others prepare for the exhibition. They meet with Cole outside. He reveals that all of the tickets have been sold. Inspector Patrick (Kerr Logan) tells them to enter through the back way for their own safety. Victoria decides to go and take the kids despite the potential risks. Abigail is not happy with Patrick. He says he wasn’t pretending all the time. Albert, Victoria and the kids ride through the streets. The crowd seems to be turning on Palmerston. The carriages arrive.

Victoria tells Albert she is proud of him. Albert speaks to the crowd. Joseph looks for Sophie as Victoria gives thanks to Albert and Henry Cole. After the exhibition is open, Victoria greets Sophie. Victoria sends away the attendants and eh Duke. Sophie is glad that they’re gone. Victoria greets the guests. Vicky and Heidi are introduced to Sigmund. He takes her to his exhibit. Feo is not happy that they’re getting along so well. Sophie and Joseph meet at the American exhibit. He tells her about the boat sailing to New York the following day. Sophie doesn’t want to leave William. Joseph tells her that William will not be a child for long. Penge watches from a distance. Moments later, Penge asks his pardon for misjudging him. Joseph admits he was right. He was looking for an advantage, but actually fell in love.

Victoria tells Sophie how much she appreciates having her by her side. Charles goes to Penge for more information. Penge isn’t willing to give up a name. He gives the money back. Bertie goes to Heidi and proposes to her. Heidi explains that her mother wants her to marry Louis. Bertie asks if she loves him. She admits she has never met him. Feo interrupts. Russell speaks with Palmerston. Palmerston doesn’t care that the vote of censure went against him. Palmerston goes to Victoria. He admits he should have listened to her. Palmerston admits the exhibit has been a great achievement. Victoria tells him his career is not over. Henry prepares to leave with his wife. Feo interrupts. Palmerston tells her that he has resigned from his role. His wife says she will make sure he becomes prime minister one day.

Sophie goes to Victoria. Victoria tells her she should have her own house in town so she can stay with her son. Victoria tries to convince her not to escape. Sophie seems concerned about her decision. Victoria and Albert are cheered by the crowd after leaving the exhibit. They eventually chant for Prince Albert. Later, Heidi tries to give Bertie chocolate. He won’t take it. He tells Albert his heart is broken. Albert tells him that hearts can be mended. Albert learns about Feo wanting Heidi to marry Louis. Albert tells him he will not need Heidi to be a great king. Henry speaks to his wife about being prime minister. She intends to stay in the country and help him get that position. Albert goes to Victoria and tells her about Feo’s plans.

Albert is not happy with being deceived by her. He confesses that Victoria was right about her. Feo enters and congratulates Albert again. She thanks him for introducing Heidi to Sigmund. Albert exposes the truth. Feo says she isn’t that bad. She says she could have accepted Bertie’s proposal. She belittles their son. Victoria tells Feo that she doesn’t need to go. She claims their mother was doing her best when she sent them to London to get married. Victoria says there is one thing she doesn’t have and that is a sister. Sophie prepares to make her escape. Her son stops her. He says he dreamt he was lost and couldn’t find her. Joseph waits for her at the train station. Victoria joins Albert. He looks at his creation. He says he wants to remember he had done something right.

Albert shows signs of tiredness. They speak about the moment when Albert proposed. They share a kiss before Albert faints. Victoria checks on him and calls his name.

 

Victoria Review

The finale of Victoria was excellent. I was kind of disappointed with the season early on. After all, it didn’t have much of a central focus. That made the season’s storylines a little loose. Nevertheless, the finale brought everything together. I am very satisfied with it. The finale did a good job leaving some storylines open for the next season. Is Albert going to be okay? Will Sophie meet up with Joseph and flee the country? Will Palmerston rise up as prime minister?

The finale was great. It scores a solid 8.5 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Victoria now!