'Belgravia' Season 1 Episode 2: Anne refuses to abide by her husband and take matters into her own hands
Spoilers for 'Belgravia' Season 1 Episode 2
Anne Trenchard (Tamsin Greig) has spent a lot of her time regretting the ill-timed death of her daughter Sophia (Emily Reid). Her husband James Trenchard (Philip Glenister) has warned her against spilling the secrets of their family, but Anne is a mother and knows fully well the pain of another mother, and grandmother.
So finally deciding that she must come out with the truth, Anne refuses to continue abiding by her husband and takes matters into her own hands.
Episode 2 begins with the heartbreaking flashback of Anne barely saying any goodbyes to her now-dead daughter Sophia. She doesn't even want to hold the newborn baby in her arms accepting the fate his grandfather has set for him - to be adopted by a family in the country that will look after him like their own.
Once back to her reality, she pleads with James trying to convince him to let Lady Brockenhurst aka Caroline in on the secret, eventually going ahead with the plan without his permission.
When she writes to meet with her, she hadn't expected Lady Brockenhurst to be so cruel. She comes right out with the secret - her daughter Sophia and Caroline's son Edmund had a son. Upon his birth, James had made arrangements for the boy, who is now a young man minding his own business.
But Caroline is not one to use kind words. In order to protect the memory of her deceased son, she refuses to accept that he cheated the Trenchard's daughter into sleeping with him. She asks Anne to leave but not before passing a jab her way. Anne had sorely underestimated Lady Brockenhurst, who now is adamant on finding out more about this Charles Pope (Jack Bardoe).
So she holds a grand dinner party where she invites most several royal families and also the Trenchards. At the dinner party, Caroline doesn't let Charles leave her sight, sitting by him when eating and parading him around, introducing him to guests.
That is when it becomes clear to Anne - she is invited here by Caroline. She realizes, even without saying anything, Lady Brockenhurst has told the entire world about her grandson, the rich and the luxurious are not going to waste any time in gossiping and finding out the truth themselves.
At the same time, her attention towards this mysterious man grabs the attention of her brother-in-law, Stephen (James Fleet) and nephew, John (Adam James) - both of whom spend more time asking for money than trying to earn it.
Both men have a vested interest in the inheritance of the supposedly childless Brockenhursts and aren't looking to welcome a rival in the name of Charles Pope. Lady Brockenhurst, however, wishes she utilizes the situation to her benefit.
At this dinner party, Charles also meets Lady Maria Grey (Ella Purnell), who is set to marry John, who suddenly has his eyes on Anne's daughter-in-law Susan (Alice Eve). That's right - how could you have imagined a Julian Fellowes period drama to be sans of this futile drama.
Episode 2 runs on a faster pace than Episode 1. Whether Charles is going to be the rightful heir to become the Earl cannot be said as of now - especially since Sophia and Edmund weren't exactly married making Charles their illegitimate son.
Charles is also yet to figure out the truth about himself because when he does, it won't be an easy ride for him - neither for all parties involved.
Episode 3 will premiere on Sunday, April 26 at 9/8c on Epix.
