'Belgravia' Episode 3: Everyone rushes to find more about Charles Pope, but what are the Trenchards hiding?
Spoilers for 'Belgravia' Season 1 Episode 3
After Lady Brockenhurst's aka Caroline's (Harriet Walter) dinner party, everyone is talking about Charles Pope (Jack Bardoe). Questions like who is he, why is he dining alongside the Countess of Brockenhurst, what relationship does he have with her start doing the rounds. As Anne and James Trenchard (Tamsin Greig and Philip Glenister) increasingly become worried about how this speculation will reflect on them, there are others who are concerned with more immediate problems - why exactly is the countess so keen on investing in Charles's business venture?
For the Trenchards, this is a two-way problem. Their son Oliver Trenchard (Richard Goulding) who is seemingly unaware of Charles's real identity is immensely upset with his father for investing in the business of a stranger. He feels deprived of his own heritage complaining that his father is throwing away all their money in Charles's cotton venture while doing nothing to help him earn money.
Elsewhere, Reverend Stephen Bellasis (James Fleet) finds himself deeper in money troubles than he would have anticipated. For one, he now has a two-day period to somehow gather a thousand pounds for his gambling debt. After his brother the Earl of Brockenhurst aka Peregrine (Tom Wilkinson) refuses to give him the money, a desperate Stephen hacks a brand new plan with his son John Bellasis (Adam James). John is to find out who Charles really is and what his sudden increasing proximity to the Brockenhursts mean. And if the truth is just saucy enough, they can blackmail her for money.
Speaking of John, he obviously takes the first step towards Susan Trenchard (Alice Eve). And Susan, who is extremely eager to move around in high society grabs at the opportunity. Why? John is, after all, the heir for the Earl of Brockenhurst.
And so Susan, who is married to Oliver, and John who is set to be married to Lady Maria Grey (Ella Purnell), begin their affair in a quiet room that John owns in the countryside. For a minute it seems like Susan and John are just the perfect fit for each other - desperate for money they could possibly never make on their own, the two are quick to jump at opportunities that will ensure quick money. But Susan, although she doesn't know it yet, is not as clever as John and is probably digging her own grave.
John has already put the wheels into motion - questioning the servants at the Trenchards to find out more information about Charles - just how is it that both the Trenchards and Caroline are suddenly so keen on this young man?
Lady Maria Grey, despite being betrothed to John, finds herself attracted to Charles. Their shy banter is indicative of just how cautious they have to be to not say the wrong thing. When Maria accidentally drops the fact that she is engaged to John, Charles immediately goes pale in the face. They're hesitant about their feelings at the moment, but we have a feeling Caroline will be backing the both of them when the time comes.
At this point, the Trenchards and Lady Brockenhurst find themselves desperately trying to hide the identity of Charles Pope. But one is better prepared for the leak than the other. Caroline invited Charles with the sole intention of sparking a chain of rumors that will eventually bring out the truth.
But is everyone ready for it?
Episode 4 of 'Belgravia' will air on Sunday, May 3, 2020, at 9/8c on Epix.