A medieval-themed ball to save the economy

Victoria Season 2 continues with another doubleheader. “Warp and Weft” picks up the thread of growing social inequality left from last season. The silk makers of Spitalfields, a neighborhood in London still famous for fashion/textile production, are losing their livelihood to foreign imports.  Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) launches a “shop local” campaign by hosting a fancy dress or costume ball where everyone must wear only Spitalfields silk. This legislation along with the Corn Laws is good for British business and farmers but bad for the poor because they can’t afford bread and clothing. On top of these unequal laws, the rich continue to stuff the ballot box because men who don’t own property still can’t vote. (Women’s suffrage is over 70 years away at this point.) Outside the ball, the Chartists try to storm the palace gates in a scene reminiscent of Les Miserables. Inside the ball, tensions mingle with graceful medieval pavane steps. Ernest (David Oakes) has his eye on Wilhelmina Coke (Bebe Cave). Drummond (Leo Suter) and Lord Alfred Paget (Jordan Waller) are also more flirty than what was considered socially acceptable. Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) appears at the ball, but it’s clear his long-term illness is taking a toll on him. Not only does the ball end in disaster, Victoria realizes she has lost to death her beloved Lord M and her canine friend Dash.

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Birth often follows death. The opening of “The Sins of the Father” shows Victoria welcoming little Prince Albert. Victoria struggles from a severe case of postpartum depression and her confidence in herself is severely shaken. She struggles to attend royal events and keep her composure. Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) faces a crisis of his own. He receives word that he must return to Coburg because his father, the Duke (Andrew Bicknell), has passed away. To make matters worse for social decorum, the Duke had a heart attack while in bed with his mistress. Uncle Leopold (Alex Jennings) adds salt to the wound by telling poor Albert he could be a bastard. As a historical note, it should be stated this was actually an unverified rumor converted into fact for additional drama. Meanwhile back in England, the Boy Jones case has found its way into the newspapers. After several people are accused of being the Wikileaks of 1842, it is revealed Mrs. Skerrett (Nell Hudson) is responsible. She confesses to replacing her cousin Eliza (Samantha Colley) who was offered a palace position but became pregnant.  After hearing from Skerrett about the escapades of Boy Jones, Eliza tipped off the press for extra cash. Victoria is forced to fire Skerrett, but  Albert gives Mrs. Skerrett a second chance to prove herself. The episode ends with Victoria confessing to Albert her insecurities.

Let’s find out how our guests reacted to the deaths and births in the episode:

Jan (@total_janarchy) – Jan is an author and podcaster on a variety of pop culture subjects (Doctor Who, Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, RuPaul’s Drag Race), a cosplayer, an Anglophile, and a lifelong costume drama junkie.

Shannon (@Endy_92) – Cosplayer, Writer, Anglophile.

Melissa (@immelza)–  Lover of period dramas, PBS, good books, kind people and all things Poldark

Kirk (@MrMasonFBAbbey)– Creator of  Austen in Boston: A Jane Austen Book Club and Atticus Aldridge.

Katherine (@Lady_madchan) – Period drama lover.  Anglophile.  Poldark superfan.

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1) If the Queen invited you to attend the fancy dress ball, which fictional character or historical figure from before 1842 would you dress up as?

Jan (@total_janarchy): I would definitely go as Boudicca, the Celtic Warrior Queen of the Iceni. Along with being a fierce, strong woman, Victoria was named after her  — the name means ‘victorious’ in proto-Celtic — so it would be an honor to Our Queen.  Plus Alex Kingston played her on screen in 2003!

Shannon( @Endy_92): Rebecca- the daughter of the Jewish moneylender- from Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott is a top contender, but that might just be the Elizabeth Taylor fangirl in me coming out. I’m a sucker for the movie version that came out in the 50s as well as the novel itself which only came out about 20 years before the events of this ep.

Melissa (@immelza): My answer for any ball attendance will always be anyone from Poldark it will always be Poldark! Except for George and Rev. Whitworth they can go fall off a cliff!

Kirk (@MrMasonFBAbbey): Thomas Gainsborough or Mr. Knightley or William Wilberforce.

Katherine  (@Lady_madchan): Demelza Poldark of course!  And probably in the red dress, she wore to the Bodrugan ball.

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2.  Was Queen Victoria truly having a “Marie Antoinette” moment in hosting the all Spitalfields silk ball?

Jan: I don’t think so. Her heart was in the right place, and as we saw later, Mr. Bascombe and his son were very grateful for the opportunity to make more silk. A true “Marie Antoinette” moment would have meant that she did extravagant things at the expense of her subjects. Even if the ball wasn’t a rousing success with the working people, it was created with good intentions to help people. Historical spoiler alert: Victoria and Albert were extremely charitable people and supported many causes.

Shannon: Yes and no. Her ball did help some people- that much was made clear by the end of the ep- but the problems in England at the time were far greater than just those who were weaving silk and fighting cheap imports. Victoria is facing a problem very similar to Marie Antoinette in that she’s a scapegoat for Parliament when it comes to bread prices. Queen or not she has very little power compared to the politicians surrounding her but she’ll be the first one to be blamed.

Melissa: Victoria definitely was showing her immaturity and lack of empathy for her subjects by throwing the silk ball. The look of horror on her face as she viewed the protesters was I believe a pivotal moment in her reign. The reality that she was a leader and example for all the people finally hit her.

Kirk: While her heart was in the right place, alas yes. Perhaps Lord M would have been more tactful in moving her away from that idea.

Katherine: Just a smidgeon.  She had good intentions and wanted to promote the industry.  But she didn’t realize how tone deaf the move would look.

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3) Who would you give the Best Fancy Dress award to and why?

Jan: Prince Ernest! I am a big fan of Robin Hood and most portrayals of him, so give me a handsome Robin and I’m good.  

Shannon: It could be my little shipper heart but Ernst and Wilhelmina! They win cutest couple hands down- for all it was entirely planned on her side and unplanned on his. I need them to get together sooner rather than later. I did LOVE Harriet’s gown but Robin Hood and his Marian were much much cuter.

Melissa: Queen Victoria’s dress was really amazing. I loved how in one of the after the show segments they showed the dress up close and all the details.  Although my favorite outfits in the series are the dresses she wears usually in dark navy or purple with the incredible bonnet/ hats!

Kirk: Alas, fail on my part…I don’t really notice the dresses…too busy retweeting! [For shame!!!]

Katherine: Victoria and Albert.  Just the amount of beautiful details in their costumes.

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4) Poor Lord Melbourne! Were you surprised by the conclusion of his story?

Jan: No. I knew about the historical figure, so his death was going to happen sooner than later, unfortunately.

Shannon: Yes and no? Being a history nerd I knew his run was coming to an end as a historical person; being a period drama nerd I suspected his character was coming to an end because Rufus Sewell isn’t one for small parts. He was either going to come back full force- not likely given the political situation in the series- or fade away entirely; I just couldn’t make up my mind which would happen.

Melissa: Last night was quite the ultimate tearjerker! I’ve really come to love Lord M. I thought when that bird stopped singing he had died. Apparently, he didn’t and lived for 7 more years. Although their friendship became estranged I hope we will see Lord M again. Definitely a sobfest last night!

Kirk: Last season I checked out his Wiki entry, so I kinda knew it was coming soon…BUT not the same episode as Dash!!!!

Katherine:  Yes.  I was expecting to see this storyline drawn out at least over the season, if not over multiple seasons. Instead, we were given a shocking conclusion.  Rufus will certainly be missed…

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5) Did you have more sympathy for Prince Albert after his drunken revelations?

Jan: Yes. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be born and raised a prince, dealing with an awful philandering father, and then finding out the possible truth of your parentage.  

Shannon:  I liked him before then but didn’t see much to have sympathy for, and still don’t. To me he’s picked up his wife’s flair for the dramatic is all. I mean I can understand why he’s upset with the revelation and all that but how likely is it someone is actually going to find out? He really needs to step back for a moment. As far as WE know- short of eavesdropping servants which I don’t foresee being an issue- the only people who know are his uncle/dad, himself, and a couple of dead people. Of course, he’s upset with the Boy Jones story and how got out. That happened because quite a few people knew, this is far less likely to unless someone directly involved tells- which I don’t see happening as they all have too much to lose.

Melissa:  I did feel for him, the poor guy found out his father who just died is really not because his Uncle “comforted” his Mother! Plus his father died banging so he was shaking! I think Ernst knows or maybe just senses it and accepts it. I was waiting for drunk Albert to start destroying things when he was losing it!

Kirk: Yes, sure. But I never disliked him as I knew a little(very) about their history.

Katherine:  I do.  Uncle Leopold’s confession just adds another layer to Albert’s turmoil.  It’s very clear that his parent’s disastrous marriage left a huge impact on him.  Now he has another huge issue to torment him concerning childhood.

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6) What is your assessment of Mrs. Skerrett’s bean-spilling?

Jan: She should have been more discreet but she trusted her cousin on this one. I can’t blame Eliza for trying to do something to help her child, but it was a terrible breach of trust given that Nancy has been trying to help her.

Shannon: I realize this is pre Nondisclosure Agreements, and most palace gossip that didn’t come from the court came from the staff but still.  I don’t think she was being malicious just dumb.

Melissa: I still don’t know what I think of Ms. Skerrett. This season we’re getting more of the upstairs/ downstairs vibe but it’s a little rushed going between both worlds to me. I feel like we’ve had glimpses into these characters but that’s it. I’m looking forward to reading what others think about this. It was nice to see Albert giving her a second chance, he seems to have gained a lot of wisdom and maturity.

Kirk: Harmless!  

Katherine: It was going to happen sooner or later.  We were going to get the bottom of her story.  And now we have.

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7) What was your reaction to Queen Victoria’s confession?

Jan: Sympathy. Postpartum (postnatal) depression is not an easy thing, and many women suffer from it. Back then it was barely understood, and there was very little support to be had to deal with it. Luckily, Victoria had servants and nannies to help her take care of her children.

Shannon: She’s more sympathetic than Albert to my mind. Call me callous but he’s making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill, while she’s fighting societal expectations. One of her main themes of the series has been how she’s expected to be a queen while being a wife, now it’s how does she juggle being a wife, queen, and mother. She does love the babies I have no doubt but she’s one of those women who just isn’t a natural mother. I do think adding in Postpartum Depression was done to help make her more sympathetic, which as a plot device works quite well.

Melissa: I thought her profession was quite profound.  It showed how much she truly loved Albert and trusted him with her deepest feelings. I also really enjoyed hearing them both singing. Although they were singing in sadness and desperation, it was beautiful.

Kirk: She won’t be human if she didn’t have some doubts about all those challenges.  

Katherine: It humanized her so much.  It was quite touching to hear her voice her insecurities and fears.  I loved her so much for accepting and supporting Albert.  That made me appreciate the kind of deep love the two of them have.

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All dogs and good men go to heaven

Saying goodbye to Lord Melbourne and Dash was truly a punch in the gut. Jenna Coleman brilliantly showed Victoria’s grief for two of her closest friends. Rufus Sewell made everyone in the fandom cry throughout the episode. The cinematography and soundtrack throughout the episode emphasized the themes of class struggle, death, and grief. The focus on the mechanical bird slowly stopping as Lord Melbourne draws his final breaths evoked so many emotions without a single word. Dash’s demise reminded us all of a beloved furry friend we lost. Chartist banners and chanting juxtaposed with the elegance of the ball highlighted Victoria’s poor decision making. Neat and orderly Coburg was the backdrop for Prince Albert’s drunken turmoil. The clean white curtains in the nursery framed Victoria’s darker thoughts. All of these visual elements were essential in evoking powerful reactions from the audience.

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The transition between “Warp and Weft” and “Sins of the Father” was very jarring. Joining these two episodes together was not an ideal scenario in terms of emotional impact.  The audience had to suddenly switch from catharsis to joy over the birth of Prince Albert. In the UK ITV airing of Victoria, there was a week in between. Lord Melbourne’s eventual death from illness had a bigger impact in the UK airing because it was a clear cliffhanger. Viewers could imagine the funeral and the mourning in their minds. There was time for the audience to let the dialogue and visuals from “Warp and Weft” to sink in. The scenes weren’t filmed with joining in mind.

Last week’s episode also joined two episodes together, but the transition was a lot smoother. Victoria and Albert this week took a giant step backward in progress. Although the spark is still there, both are in the middle of an identity crisis. Prince Albert feels that his whole life is a lie and Victoria  Next week’s episode teases a trip to France. Will time away from the palace help both of them heal?

Victoria returns Sunday, January 28th at 9/8c on PBS.