'Harlots' season 3 episode 5: Margaret Wells' impulsiveness will take her family and friends down with her... Again
The last couple of episodes of Hulu’s ‘Harlots’ have broken our collective hearts and while we try to move on from the death of Charlotte Wells (Jessica Brown Findlay), it is pertinent to remember that there are women that we love who live on Greek Street. Her family and friends, for instance, all of whose lives are in jeopardy because of Margaret Wells’ (Samantha Morton) return.
We have known for a while that Margaret, who was to be hanged, actually escaped to America and is now back as Mrs Young, the wife of a wealthy man – the very wealthy man who has been especially understanding of her circumstances, and who happens to be in business with Pincher brothers Isaac (Alfie Allen) and Hal (Ash Hunter).
Having seen Margaret’s life first hand, having seen what she has left behind, having seen what she has lost, her new husband is reaching the conclusion that when he eventually leaves London for America, he will not have his wife with him.
In the previous episode, we saw Emily Lacey (Holli Dempsey) blame Margaret for her daughter’s death. Although she covered her tracks almost immediately we know what she means. Had Margaret stayed hidden as she was instructed to do, and not crash Lady Fitz’s (Liv Tyler) boxing event to inform her husband that the very men who he is going into business with – the Pinchers -- are arsonists, Charlotte’s ill fate could have been avoided.
Hal would have gotten mad, and gone to confront Isaac for his torrid affair with Charlotte. Charlotte would not have tried to intervene and would not have gotten pushed over the railing, and died. However, no one close to Charlotte knows these events. They, in fact, believe that their long-time nemesis Lady Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville) murdered her, thanks to Emily Lacey.
Meanwhile, Quigley, who has recently escaped her bad fortune, has figured out that Margaret is alive and well. How she chooses to use this information remains to be seen. Both Isaac and Hal also know that the woman they knew as Mrs. Wells is Charlotte’s mother, and how they use this information for their benefit will also be unveiled come episode 5.
Knowing Margaret, however, it is probably her impulsiveness that is going to take down her family and friends - not Quigley nor the Pinchers. She unwittingly set off the chain of events that got Charlotte killed, and she probably will set off the events that will cause harm to herself and her family.
We cannot wait to see how when 'Harlots' returns with season 3 episode 5 on Wednesday, August 7.