VICTORIA: A Few New Additions, One Notable Departure {Recap}

Victoria returned last night, just one month after the end of last season.

As we ended that season, Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) gave birth to her first daughter, and in the premiere we watch her adjust to motherhood.

Let’s just say, it’s not an easy process for Queen Victoria. For one, her own mother is awful, and so Victoria has little idea of how to love and nurture a child. But, as this is the 1800s, everyone expect Victoria to rest too much after the birth. In her recovery, Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) does most of the diplomatic work – including getting the British Army involved in some less than successful plan to cross the Khyber Pass in winter.

Little Princess Victoria – just with her presence – means that many of the advisors for Queen Victoria want her to focus on motherhood, rather than making important decisions about the country. It’s less successful when family comes to see to Princess Victoria’s christening, including King Leopold and Albert’s father.

Victoria, Season 2
MASTERPIECE on PBS
Episode One – “A Soldier’s Daughter” & “The Green-Eyed Monster”
Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 9pm ET (2 Hours)
New mother Victoria is impatient to return to the business of ruling a nation, while Albert attempts to protect her from the increasingly desperate news regarding British soldiers in Afghanistan. Victoria is thrown into turmoil by the realization that she is pregnant again, and her equilibrium is further threatened by Albert’s burgeoning friendship with the lady mathematician, Ada Lovelace.
Shown from left to right: Jenna Coleman as Victoria, Alex Jennings as Leopold, Andrew Bicknell as the Duke of Coburg, and David Oakes as Ernest
For editorial use only.
©ITVStudios2017 for MASTERPIECE

Between this decision by all the men in her life, and a new lady in waiting, the Duchess Buccleuch (Diana Rigg), who brings her niece, who prove to be at odds with the Queen. The Dutchess, at least, is good for spreading rumors and gossip.

For if nothing else, the Dutchess is good for getting at a very real shift in generations in England, and what is expected. She also is a great intermediary while Queen Victoria and Prince Albert argue about the possibility of children (and hey surprise, Queen Victoria is pregnant by the end of the episode) as she wants to rule, not constantly give birth.

Victoria, Season 2
MASTERPIECE on PBS
Episode One – “A Soldier’s Daughter” & “The Green-Eyed Monster”
Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 9pm ET (2 Hours)
New mother Victoria is impatient to return to the business of ruling a nation, while Albert attempts to protect her from the increasingly desperate news regarding British soldiers in Afghanistan. Victoria is thrown into turmoil by the realization that she is pregnant again, and her equilibrium is further threatened by Albert’s burgeoning friendship with the lady mathematician, Ada Lovelace.
Shown from left to right: Diana Rigg as the Duchess of Buccleuch and Bebe Cave as Wilhelmina Coke
For editorial use only.
©ITVStudios2017 for MASTERPIECE

While the Princess Victoria and Duchess Buccleuch are great new additions, it seems as if Queen Victoria’s former prime minster, Lord Melbourne, won’t be making too many trips back to London. Not only do Prince Albert and King Leopold think that there is potential for something unseemly going on, but Lord Melbourne is sick, requiring leeches, even if the Queen still values his opinion over others.

Victoria continues on Sundays at 9PM on PBS.