Time Transfixed
Written by: Azia Squire
Similar to Episode 5 of season 2 this episode opens with memories, this season it is Benedict remembering his time with the Lady in Silver which is a call back to Kate remembering her time with Anthony in season 2. As we see Benedict sketching the Lady in Silver and remembering the Masquerade the shot morphs into a rewind of Sophie, taking her back to Penwood House just before the Ball.
Image Credit: Netflix
This episode begins with introducing Sophie and allowing the viewers into her life, we learn about how she ended up at the Masquerade Ball, but also what her life is like with the Penwoods. The flashbacks of Sophie give some context to her life, and hints at her past, telling the viewers that she is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Penwood and a Maid. What is also established is Sophie's relationship with other servants in the Penwood House, those that know who she is, they are her cheer team and the ones that support her.
Image Credit: Netflix
But this episode is not just about getting to know Sophie, Benedict is still obsessed with the Lady in Silver as he is sketching her while he is attending to business with Hatch, which leads to him beginning his search for the Lady in Silver, enlisting Eloise and Penelope's assistance. The search has Benedict crossing paths with Rosamund Li, and showing us her determination on the marriage mart, and her determination to marry Benedict for the connection to the Bridgerton Family.
Image Credit: Netflix
It is not until Violet gets involved that Benedict crosses paths with the Penwood ladies again, showing a patience and kindness to Posy that she doesn't seem to get from her mother and sister. It is here that Sophie, witnessing Benedict's call on Posy, seems to begin falling in love, as she notes his kindness to her step sister. It is at this call that Benedict inadvertantly, and unknowingly, gives away Sophie's secret to Araminta, leading to Sophie being removed from the household, not before the viewers learn that Sophie has been working as a maid without being paid
Image Credit: Netflix
The episode ends with Benedict and Sophie crossing paths again at the home of Philip Cavender, the son of Sophie's new employer. This is Benedict's hero moment, but Sophie is not some damsel in distress, as we see Sophie save another maid from attack and becomes the target of the men, which is where Benedict steps in to save Sophie, but again inadvertantly getting her fired again. The episode ends as Sophie leaves with Benedict, who has promised to find her a new job.
One of the themes for this season that is emerging is that of power dynamics in relationships. Not only do we see this played out with Sophie, but also between the Queen and Lady Danbury. The Queen forbids Lady Danbury from leaving, reminding her that Lady Danbury is a subject, while Lady Danbury had thought of them as friends. I have mixed views on this storyline however. Despite the storyline being a parallel to that of the main storyline with the imbalances of power in relationships I feel that it could have been executed better, or perhaps utilised other characters, such as Violet and Mrs Wilson.
Highs:
- Sophie's relationships with the other servants in Penwood House, and her interactions with Posy
- Araminta. I have to say she is a wonderful villain, and I hope their is no redemption for her. Katie Leung is embracing the role wonderfully.
- Posy and Rosamund. These two are so different, and played so well by Isabella Weir and Michelle Mao, I am really liking their scenes. Despite Rosamund being a bully and mean girl, the portrayal of Rosamund is done so wonderfully that you can't help but like her despite her meanness. Posy is a delight, and so wonderfully innocent, I can't wait to see scenes with Posy and Hyacinth, I think they can be great friends, if Bridgerton will keep Posy in the show.
- Seeing Sophie wear a shift under her stays.
- The flashbacks for Sophie. This is something that should have been done for Kate in season 2, and the fact it was missing left a lot of unanswered questions and lack of context for a lot of Kate's motivations. Doing this for Sophie gives context to her storyline, her past, and her character development.
Lows:
- There was a lack of scenes that included the whole family, we got some one on one scenes with Benedict and Eloise, and Eloise and Hyacinth, but not to have the whole family in one scene gives the feeling that this season (as with seaosn 3) is losing the heart of the show and what made it good.
- The need of the writers to bash us over the head with the 'Penelope Bridgerton' lines. We know that Penelope is a Bridgerton, but I must question why they feel the need to make sure the viewers know this, it doesn't give great optics when they have done everything to remove Kate from the family and make it clear that Kate is an outsider and not in the inner circle.
- The writers have let down the show a bit with the characterisation of Eloise. There is so much to explore of the character from season 1 and season 2 that they have just abandoned, instead turning Eloise into some caricature of the spoiled rich girl.
Mixed:
- Makeup. After criticism of the heavy makeup from last season the team was changed, however, it isn't all for the better. While some of the characters have good, and appropriate, makeup (Sophie), some is still looks heavy (Penelope), and others is just bad. Eloise looks washed out in a lot of scenes and I am not sure if this is the makeup or the lighting, but it just does not do anything for the character or the actress.
