As the episode opens, Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) is watching the progress inside the Abercrombie Foundry. Clara Trenchard (Harriet Slater) tells Doctor Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) that she tries to help a troubled Frederick but her efforts fail. Ellerby suggests Frederick should consider her happiness but in a matter of months, he has caused her distress. When she accepts partial blame, he says Frederick should not expect her to suffer for it. Seeing him playing with Peter (Jonas Salmela Stratis) and the other children makes her smile. She looks over to see Miss Davidson (Elaine Cassidy) staring at her intently.

Emily Dunn (Hannah Onslow) informs Clara that her “lurid” painting is on display at Findlay and Hodge. Clara argues that the painting is not lurid but assures her that she never imagined it would be on display. She explains how she met the artist, Richard Dearden (Leonard Buckley). Emily criticizes her actions. Clara says Miss Davidson and Ellerby were present. Emily asks if Frederick is aware of the painting before warning her that relevant people will see it. Clara assures her that they will not recognize her. Emily reminds her that she did when Frederick enters to greet Emily. After he leaves, Emily says their marriage is troubled. Clara denies the claim. Emily voices concern about what will happen to her and Mrs. Dunn (Sophie Thompson) if Clara loses Frederick’s goodwill.

Miss Davidson tells Clara that her painting was purchased by someone. Clara suggests it will become part of the buyer’s art collection. Miss Davidson half-heartedly reassures her that everything will be fine.

Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo) stares at money certificates from The Central Allied Bank when Mrs. Warren (Julie Barclay) calls him to dinner. He tells her how much he appreciates her. She says the church appreciates him before offering to stay over to keep him company. Later, James visits the bathhouse, passing Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) on his way to meet Gorton (James Oliver Wheatley). James claims he can no longer reach God and refuses to be blackmailed. Gorton brutally beats him until Fletcher intervenes. He threatens to kill Gorton if he doesn’t leave James alone. Gorton vows to comply with his demand. Fletcher helps James home and offers to get a doctor. James thanks him but refuses a doctor. When Fletcher returns to the Trenchard residence, he tells Miss Davidson that he intervened in a man getting beat. While she cleans his wound, he claims the first he did after relearning to walk at 15 was to fight. She warns that Mr. Enright (Gerard Horan) will want to know what happened before calling Lucian Wood. He tells her that he helped James but they cannot tell anyone.

Ross (David Fynn) informs Frederick that the loan requires the Abercrombie Foundry and Trenchard Imports as collateral. Frederick assures him that he will not default. Ross asks if he would approve of his investing in the mine. Frederick warns that it would be a conflict of interest but agrees to give it some consideration.

Mrs. Warren arrives at the parsonage to find James unconscious on the floor. He refuses a doctor. Elsewhere, Clara tells Marquise d’Etagnac (Claude Perron) about making friends with Ellerby and Dearden. The Marquise recalls Ellerby being handsome. Clara admits to discretely posing as a goddess but Emily recognized her. She voices concern about Frederick thinking badly of her. Marquise says Frederick should be thankful to have such an alluring wife before assuring her it is no big deal. She urges Clara to grow thicker skin.

Emily tells Mrs. Dunn about her visit with Clara. Mrs. Dunn questions if Clara is pregnant. Nell (Lauren McQueen) nearly drops the creamer while she describes what it is like to hold a baby.

Mawdie (Daisy Sequerra) shows progress with her reading but she will never get it. Clara assures her she will and urges her to be self-confident. Miss Davidson approaches as Mawdie is leaving with one of Clara’s dresses. Mawdie claims Clara gave it to her.

Emily asks Nell if her parents knew about her baby. Nell claims they kicked her out when they found out and she came to London to find the father. She says he probably wanted to know about the baby.

Frederick asks Clara to attend a luncheon at the Rochester’s but she refuses. She reminds him of his accusing her of impropriety. He apologizes. She expresses her desire for them to talk. He invites her to the luncheon again. She says he will need to take her in chains if he wants her to go. Upon hurriedly leaving, he tells Mr. Enright that he will be dining out. Mr. Enright sends Mawdie to the post office with a letter. She tries to read it.

Frederick gives the Marquise a check for his investment in the silver mine. Declining the check, she says the Clearing House only accepts a banker’s draft. Frederick scolds Ross before leaving for the bank. Emily visits the parsonage to see James but Mrs. Warren tells her that he is ill.

Ross asks Mrs. Enright (Ellie Piercy) who spent time in France if she is familiar with Etagnac. She says no. He tells her that he is growing suspicious of the Marquise. He asks if she could write her family in France to see if they know anything about her.

Robert (Jordan Scowen) is retrieving a coin from the usual hiding place when Mawdie approaches wearing Clare’s former dress. He tells her that he likes it before recognizing her different hairstyle and makeup. He invites her out for a drink. She accepts.

The Duke of Rochester/Percy (Miles Jupp) suggests they travel to Mexico to check out the silver mine. He describes the element of risk as thrilling. Frederick claims Clara is meeting some friends. The Duchess of Rochester/Mary (Sophie Winkleman) says it is nice to see Clara make acquaintances. Piercy assures her that Clara will settle down when she has a baby. She tells Frederick that Peter has improved since he has been going for walks.

Annie Harper (Nenda Neururer) invites Clara to the next protest. Clara asks if people like her attend rallies. Dearden apologizes for causing her stress over the painting. He assures her that it will never be displayed publically. He asks if she would like the sketches destroyed. Ellerby says nothing so exquisite should be destroyed.

Frederick tells Mary that he believes Clara cannot love him. She assures him that Clara loves him. Returning home to find Clara out, he asks Miss Davidson where her friends live. She says they read poetry in a private house in Bloomsbury. He asks why she didn’t accompany Clara. She assures him that there are many people there. He abruptly leaves.

Annie suggests it is risky for Clara to visit the studio. She questions what will happen to Clara when he is through with her. Ellerby assures her that Clara can make her own decisions.

Mary partly blames herself for Frederick’s troubled marriage. Percy assures her that it is nothing but mere growing pains. When she suggests speaking to Mrs. Dunn, he warns against it. She pleads with him to reintroduce Peter to society. He urges her to delay their decision till Christmas.

At church, Miss Hetty (Erika Poole), Mrs. Dunn, Emily, and Miss Constance (Patricia England) notice James is missing. After the service, Emily visits the parsonage to see James doing poorly. He pleads with her to leave but she refuses.

Marquise surprises Clara with the painting that she acquired from the initial buyers. Clara suggests they burn it. Marquise vows to keep it in a locked storage, so no one will ever see it. Clara thanks her.

Mrs. Enright tells Ross that her brother wrote that the Etagnac chateau is in ruin. Elsewhere, Clara meets Ellerby on the heath. Peter can be seen staring into the distance. The doctor (Michael Sheldon) informs Emily that three of James’ ribs are fractured and one of his lungs is compromised. He questions how it happened. She pleads with him to tell her that he will recover. Back on the heath, Ellerby tells Clara that he is falling in love with her when someone calls for help. Peter is having a seizure. A society couple (Simon Thorpe, Penelope McGhie) insist the “lunatic,” Peter should not be allowed in public. A group of kids laugh at Peter’s condition. At home, Percy terminates Ellerby’s service and demands Peter removed from the house. He warns that it will be the end of him and refuses to allow people to see Peter’s imbecility. Later, Randolph (Osian Salter) asks why Peter was shaking. Mary assures him that it is out of his control. Amelia (Jayda Eyles) tells her that Clara and Ellerby walking together.

Mawdie visits Robert’s room. He kisses her cheek. Elsewhere, Ross tells Mr. Keck (Adam Ewan) that he has suspicions about the Marquise and Giovan Lucca Nicoli (Nicolas Van Beveren). Ross asks if he would like to return to France. Mawdie tells Robert that Mr. Enright writes to France.

James sends Emily to ask Frederick to visit him. When he declines her visit, she barges in and tells him that James is gravely ill. He refuses to visit James. She threatens to stay until he agrees to go. At the parsonage, James says their mother told him that Oliver Trenchard (Richard Goulding) was not his biological father. He claims Oliver knew about her affair. Frederick accuses him of lying because he wants to replace him. James confesses to love him as he storms out. Emily peeps around the corner as the episode ends.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Review

Ross becomes suspicious of Nicoli and the Marquise’s silver mine. Mrs. Enright’s brother claims the Etagnac chateau is a ruin. He considers sending Mr. Keck to France to see what he can find out about the Marquise.

Gorton severely beats James when he refuses to give him more money. Fletcher intervenes to save his life and threatens to kill Gorton if he touches James again.

Ellerby tells Clara that he is in love with her. Annie questions his motive. Peter has a seizure while playing on the heath with his siblings. Percy demands Peter be removed from the house and discharges Ellerby as his physician.

James sends Emily to fetch Frederick. Emily won’t take no for an answer. James tells him that Oliver isn’t his biological father. Frederick refuses to believe him because he believes James wants to replace him.

Randolph and Amelia tell Mary that Clara meets Ellerby on the heath.

The season drags on and on. New developments are unbelievable if not ridiculous for the time period. It could possibly be more tolerable if it would just get to the point. It is starting to appear as if it is a series in which nothing good happens.

The episode deserves a 5.8 out of 10. Get more Belgravia: The Next Chapter recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV show releases, sports, celebrity happenings, and more.