VICTORIA: Machinations to What End? {Recap}

Victoria kept the family backfighting up this week by introducing another of Victoria’s uncles, King Leopold of Belgium (Alex Jennings), comes to England as one more voice to talk to Victoria (Jenna Coleman) about marriage.

To the consternation of all the adults in Victoria’s life, including her mother (Catherine Flemming), Victoria wants nothing to do with marrying anyone – especially not her cousin Albert (Tom Hughes) – who is the choice of both King Leopold, the Duchess of Kent and even Sir John Conroy.

Victoria
On MASTERPIECE on PBS
*SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE*
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 AT 9PM ET
Continues Sundays, January 22 – February 19, 2017 at 9pm ET
Season Finale on Sunday, March 5 at 9pm ET
Episode Two – “Brocket Hall”
Sunday, January 22 at 9pm ET
Facing rioters and suitors, Victoria grows into her royal role. As she ponders marriage, her friendship with Lord Melbourne grows more complex.
Shown: Jenna Coleman as Victoria
(C) ITV Plc

Victoria does find herself fascinated with Queen Elizabeth as she sees so many people trying to find her a match, but how successful can that be? Her Uncle Cumberland (Peter Firth) is also the King of Hanover, and old too.

However, while Victoria’s trying to throw off the attempts to marry her off, the rest of her staff is dealing with their own issues. Mrs Jenkins (Eve Myles) becomes distraught when her nephew is convicted of treason for being part of the Chartist movement – advocating for universal suffrage through violent acts – which also complicates Victoria’s life as Queen around England.

Skerrett (Nell Nudson) is still trying to deal with Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) and his advances, who knows that she used to work in a tart house. By the end of the episode, he learns that she was just in the laundry service there.

Victoria
On MASTERPIECE on PBS
*SPECIAL TWO-HOUR PREMIERE*
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 AT 9PM ET
Continues Sundays, January 22 – February 19, 2017 at 9pm ET
Season Finale on Sunday, March 5 at 9pm ET
Episode Two – “Brocket Hall”
Sunday, January 22 at 9pm ET
Facing rioters and suitors, Victoria grows into her royal role. As she ponders marriage, her friendship with Lord Melbourne grows more complex.
Shown from left to right: FERDINAND KINGSLEY (Francatelli) and NELL HUDSON (Skerrett)
(C) ITV Plc

Regardless of which part of the Queen’s life is presented, there is change on the horizon. Will she marry Albert, who walks in looking dashing while she plays piano? (Well, we know the answer.) What else can distract the staff from their duties?

Victoria will continue to air on Sundays at 9PM on PBS for another five weeks.