The episode opens with Mr. Keck (Adam Ewan) arriving in Etagnac. Elsewhere, Mrs. Dunn (Sophie Thompson) tells Clara Trenchard (Harriet Slater) that Nell’s (Lauren Mcqueen) baby from a brief affair died. She informs Clara of Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo) being deathly ill. Mrs. Dunn believes Clara has developed feelings for James.

Flashbacks of his abusive father, Oliver Trenchard (Richard Goulding), keep Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) from concentrating on his work. Later, he tells Ross (David Fynn) that his grandfather borrowed to build his company. He expresses his desire to borrow more money to invest in the silver mind because the forecast is quite impressive. Ross warns of the risks. Frederick says to utilize Trenchard Imports and Abercrombie Foundry as collateral before ordering him to do it today.

Doctor Stephen Ellerby (Edward Bluemel) tells the Duchess of Rochester/Mary (Sophie Winkleman) that he regrets not being able to predict Peter’s seizure. She says the Duke of Rochester/Percy (Miles Jupp) asked Dr. Moorcroft to oversee Peter’s transfer to a Switzerland clinic where he will remain until he dies. He suggests sending Peter to live with childless Dr. Kerry and his wife. She says Percy would never consider it before questioning if he was distracted by Clara. Ellerby claims Clara is his patient.

Frederick tells Clara that James tried to discredit him during his recent visit. She asks if James will recover. He pleads with her to respect his decision to not talk about James. Later, Clara expresses her desire to visit James. Mrs. Davison (Elaine Cassidy) says he is young. Clara suggests Emily is in love with him. Mrs. Davison says it is doubtful that James could ever love a woman.

Nell asks James if he is frightened of the loneliness. He tells her that he is not fit to preach and God has turned his back on him. Disagreeing with him, she suggests it is their way to justify their inability to face the truth. She says when they serve others, they are serving God.

Ellerby warns Clara if Mary tells anyone about them being together on the heath, it would ruin them. She says they should stop seeing each other. He vows to give up his practice in London to be with her. She reminds him of her marriage to Frederick. He confesses to love her.

Robert (Jordan Scowen) gives a man a bottle of alcohol from the Trenchard house to sell. Mrs. Enright (Ellie Piercy) calls him out and orders him to resign or Frederick will learn about his scheme. He offers her information about Mr. Enright’s (Gerard Horan) deception to keep his secret. Mr. Enright gives Mawdie (Daisy Sequerra) his letter to mail. When he walks away, Mrs. Enright confiscates the letter and threatens to have Mawdie fired if she tells him.

Mr. Keck tells Ross that Mathilde Balmadier is one of eight children of a drunkard from Charente. He says she married a descendant of Marquise d’Etagnac who has money that belongs to someone else. He claims she robs Peter to pay Paul on a massive scale.

Lady Netherbury (Juliet Howland) tells the Marquise and Mary that Clara was with a man on the heath. Mary says Clara has been prescribed walking for anxiety. Marquise claims to have warned Clara.

Mr. Keck informs Ross that the Marquise is facing seven fraud cases, two of which the plaintiffs took their own lives. He says powerful friends always make them go away. Ross suggests she fled to London. Mr. Keck suggests she is looking for her next victim.

Marquise tells Mary and Lady Netherbury about Clara hanging out with poets and artists. Ross lovingly touches Clara’s painting when the Marquise and Giovan Lucca Nicoli (Nicholas Van Beveren) arrive home. He questions if her silver mine in Mexico is fake. She warns that Frederick would not appreciate his tone with her. He urges her to send for Frederick before utilizing her real name, Mademoiselle Balmadier. Nicoli asks what he wants. Ross demands half of Frederick’s investment in the silver mine before leaving. Madame Fourcade (Seylan Baxter) wants to leave London tonight but Nicoli assures them that Ross will stay quiet. Marquise says they pay for Ross’ silence. Fourcade warns that he will talk. Marquise assures her that they will stop him from talking.

Mary asks Mrs. Dunn and Emily to urge Clara to focus her attention on Frederick instead of elsewhere. Mrs. Dunn defends Clara. Later, Emily confronts Clara about Mary’s claim. Angry, she says there are rumors about her reckless behavior. Emily warns that her reputation is ruined before confessing to hate her. She pleads with her to apologize to Frederick. Clara claims her every effort to make him love her has been futile. She urges her to not marry James. Emily assures her that James is better than Frederick and he should be Lord Trendhard, not Frederick. Clara asks what she is talking about. Emily suggests he never told her.

Ross stuffs Frederick’s Articles of Agreement into his briefcase. Mrs. Enright shows him Mr. Enright’s letter to an address in France. She suggests he is spying on Frederick. He urges her to wait until he has left London to confront Mr. Enright. She asks to go with him. He agrees to take her if she gives him the letter. He promises to pick her up tomorrow afternoon.

Emily is thrilled to see James eat. He tells her that she is a dear friend. Elsewhere, Mary tells Frederick about the rumors regarding Clara. Knowing he is being followed by Nicoli, Ross races through the streets until he finds a suitable hiding place. Nell finds a note with Ellerby’s address. Mrs. Dunn says Mary gave it to her.

Frederick accuses Clara of having an affair with Ellerby. He demands she stay away from Bloomsbury. She denies the allegation. He admits to no longer trusting her but they will continue living as man and wife. She claims to pity him for his abuse at Oliver’s hands. He asks if she told Ellerby. She tells him that he has broken her heart before returning to her room. She asks Mrs. Davison to pack her a bag because she is leaving. Mrs. Davidson urges her to stay. Clara says she would rather die. Mrs. Davidson refuses to let Clara go without her and orders Fletcher (Liam Garrigan) to call a cab. A short time later, Clara and Mrs. Davison are off to Bloomsbury where Nell pays Ellersby a visit. Clara finds the two of them together. He admits to being the father of Nell’s baby but he never knew. She says if he has any honor go back to Nell.

Mrs. Davidson and Clara arrive at Ross’ office as he is leaving. They ask him for some money. Agreeing to help, he says Frederick is sometimes difficult before offering to let them ride to Hull with him. He warns against traveling alone. Frederick arrives at Ross’ office to find the safe cleaned out and a letter and Mr. Enright’s letter addressed to France. A short time later, Frederick arrives at the Marquise’s house to find her gone. Upstairs, he sees Clara’s painting.

Mrs. Davison, Ross, and Clara are in a coach en route to Hull. Frederick informs Percy of the Marquise’s deception. Percy says Nathaniel Rothschild notified him of rumors in Paris. He says they are lucky to not have invested a lot into the silver mine. Frederick walks out and returns home to fire Mr. Enright. Mawdie apologizes. Mrs. Enright calls him a bloody stupid fool. Fletcher tells Frederick that Clara is gone.

In Hull, Ross questions what Frederick did to drive a beautiful woman like Clara away. He kisses her hand. Mrs. Davidson orders him to leave. Ross slaps her. Mrs. Davidson hits him in the head with a candleholder. He collapses on the floor. They board the next coach as Ross wakes up. He emerges from the hotel as the coach pulls away. Nicoli approaches him. Mrs. Davison looks back. Nicoli has a knife in his hand as the episode ends.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter

Ross learns Marquise has a history of defrauding investors in France. With six lawsuits looming, she flees to Belgravia where she sets her sights on Lord Trenchard’s wealth. Ross threatens to tell Frederick if she doesn’t give him half of his investment. Mrs. Enright confiscates Mr. Enright’s letter to learn he is spying on Frederick for someone in France. Ross promises to take her with him if she gives him the letter.

Mary tells Mrs. Dunn and Emily that rumors have surfaced about Clara and Ellerby. Emily accuses Clara of ruining their reputation. Mary goes on to tell Frederick that Clara is having an affair with Ellerby. Clara is broken-hearted. He wants them to stay married but she refuses. She and Mrs. Davison go to Ross for money. They accompany him to Hull. He comes onto to her. Mrs. Davison knocks him out with a candleholder and they flee on the next coach. Nicoli catches up with Ross.

Ellerby is the father of Nell’s baby. Emily finds them together and tells him to go back to Nell.

Frederick finds a letter from Ross explaining the Marquise’s deception. Ross leaves him Mr. Enright’s letter. Frederick fires Mr. Enright and soon learns of Clara’s departure from London.

Emily knows James is the rightful owner of Trenchard’s estate.

The episode did a great job setting up a highly anticipated finale. It is always a good idea to set your sights low because modern shows rarely offer complete closure. The mere promise of a renewal is almost always more important than a satisfying ending.

The episode deserves a 6 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, crime, and more.