Dance in the Country
Written by: Daniel Robinson
Epiode 8 begins in the aftermath of Sophie's arrest with Sophie being locked in the gaol, but making the decision not to send word to anyone, especially not the Bridgertons after the Constable tells her that if she does tell anyone their lives will likely be ruined by the Lady that had her arrested. Meanwhile Araminta appears to be in a good mood, something one of the footmen remarks on to Varley who responds it is probably due to her having Sophie arrested, and that Rosamund was about to receive a proposal. After Rosamund receives her proposal Araminta goes to leave, with Rosamund letting it slip she is going to the gaol, leading Posy to realise that Araminta had Sophie arrested. On having confirmation of this Posy tells Araminta that she made a mistake, that Sophie is not a thief and that she was nothing but good and kind, which Varley hears and realises the error she made.
Varley makes her way to Penwood House aand talks to Alfie, telling him of Sophie and asking if she has family, but Alfie instead takes her to Bridgerton house where they tell Hazel of Sophie's arrest, and Hazel passes the news on to Benedict and Violet. Meanwhile Araminta visits Sophie in gaol mainuplating Sophie by telling her she can have a trial and bring scandal to the Bridgertons or confess, however Sophie tells Araminta she will not confess.
.webp)
Image Credit: Netflix
As Sophie goes before the Magistrate Benedict and Violet interrupt proceedings to speak on her behalf, and Violet confronts Araminta asking if she had proof that Sophie stole the shoe clips. The Magistrate suggests a solution, he asks Violet if they would be willing to pay for the shoe clips if Araminta dropped the charges, Violet agrees, Araminta does not, then says that she has clouded Benedict's mind by seducing him. Eventually Sophie is released into the custody of the Bridgertons and returns to Bridgerton House, this time as a guest not a maid. After they have returned to Bridgerton House Benedict and Sophie have time together where Sophie finally tells Benedict about her background and that her father is Lord Penwood and that he left her nothing in his will, something that Benedict questions.
With the help of Eloise, Sophie goes to Penwood House and searches for her father's will, which she finds with the help of Irma and Alfie, and she learns the truth - that her father had left her a dowry equal to that of Rosamund and Posy, but also that her father had left a stipend for Araminta for every year that he housed her.
Violet asked for Lady Danbury's assistance with the Queen to try and help Sophie, however the Queen says that she cannot help and if Araminta wishes to charge her then so be it. Alice overhears this and wishes to help Benedict and Sophie, and with Will's support she goes to Bridgerton House with a plan to help them.
Hyacinth meanwhile remains adamant that she will not debut, or at the very least delay it, but Eloise tells her this would be a mistake as she knows it is not what Hyacinth would want. Eloise tells Hyacinth it is okay to be frightened, but they cannot let fear stop them from experiencing something that could be truly special, telling her that she can see that there could be a benefit to marriage, because without their parents marriage they would not have each other, echoing Daphne and Eloise's conversation in season 1.
The Queen hosts a ball in honour of Lady Danbury, where Araminta plans to speak to the Queen about Sophie, meanwhile the Bridgertons distract the guards as they sneak Sophie into the ball. As the Bridgertons enter the ball Alice intercepts them and takes Violet, Benedict and Sophie to another room. While the family are with Alice, Eloise goes to talk to Posy, noticing Posy's interest in Lord Barnaby. Eloise encourages Posy to find her happiness.
Alice summons Araminta, making her believe she is being summoned by the Queen, however she takes her to a drawing room with Violet, Benedict and Sophie, where Sophie tells Araminta that she knows about the stipend, and her dowry that she now suspects Araminta embezzled for Rosamund. Posy confirms her dowry leading Rosamund to realise that Araminta did indeed steal Sophie's dowry. Araminta admits it wasn't about the shoe clips, but her perception that Sophie would harm her and her daughters. It becomes clear that they are at a stalemate as Araminta will ruin Sophie if the Bridgertons ruin her, and Violet will ruin Araminta if she ruins Sophie, leading them to come up with a mutually beneficial story regarding Sophie's origin. The consequences of Araminta's fraud are played out when Rosamund's fiancee breaks with her as a result of the lower dowry, and the ball ends with Benedict proposing to Sophie on the dance floor.
Image Credit: Netflix
The episode ends with a new revived Lady Whistledown Voiceover as someone picks up the mantle of the gossip, and as we hear her we see Michaela leaving London.
Image Credit: Netflix
The epilogue showing Benedict and Sophie's wedding appears as a post credits epilogue.
Image Credit: Netflix
Highs:
- As with every episode they are in, the Li girls are a highlight and we did not see enough of them
- Varley doing what was right and going to Alfie about Sophie's arrest
- The Benedict and Violet scenes. As in previous seasons the scenes of Violet with her children provide some of the best scenes in the show.
- Eloise and Hyacinth. This episode saw Eloise maturing as she started to see Hyacinth as more than just an annoying little sister, and her talk with Hyacinth being a call back to the talk her and Daphne had in season 1 was a nice touch
- Seeing Kate and Anthony, no matter how minute their appearance was
Lows:
- Glitter, Glitter and more glitter. I really don't know what the costume designer was thinking with the costumes for the ball, especially poor Posy and Rosamund.
- The 'new' Lady Whistledown. The whole Whistledown mystery being revived feels like writers and a showrunner who have no ideas for the show and are just doing a rinse and repeat of something that worked when it was a new idea, but now just feels tired, and more of the same.
- Penelope asking Francesca if she will ever marry again while Francesca is still in mourning. I realise this was meant to provide a 'clue' for the next season but it came off as awkward, gauche and tone deaf. It also presents Penelope as showing very little tact to be asking that so gleefully when Francesca is still mourning her husband.
