RECAP: ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Episode 4

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4 continues to follow Mary (Ella Bruccoleri) as she tries to find her place in London. It’s a harder task than she expected, but the city opens her eyes to the possibilities of life outside her lively, overbearing family.

Mary walks through a park, thinking about her time in London so far. She’s trying not to be too hung up on Tom (Dónal Finn), who’s engaged to Miss Baxter (Varada Sethu). Mrs. Bennet (Ruth Jones) warned Mary that London is full of “dirt, disease, and despair, but Mary has found it nice to be in a city, enjoying its variety and the feeling of possibility.

Mary overhears the Gardiners (Indira Varma, Richard Coyle) talking about her. “She’s so awkward in herself,” Mrs. Gardiner worries. Mary hasn’t been a natural with their children (Róisín Bhalla, Reggie Absalom, Jasmine Sharp) despite being an adequate governess.

Indira Varma imbues Mrs. Gardiner with a palpable warmth. 

Mary, embarrassed by what she overhears, bursts out of the Gardiners’ house. And, in doing so, nearly slams into Tom, who is standing outside. As ever, he’s welcoming and friendly, leading Mary to confess that she isn’t “finding her place” in London as easily as she thought she would.

A letter from Mrs. Bennet arrives. She’s gotten a new dog and wants Mary to visit Pemberley to help care for it. Mary doesn’t write back, sad that her own mother only wants to see her for help, not company.

Tom invites the Gardiners to a mysterious outing. Mary’s invited too, but declines until Mrs. Gardiner insists she join. She’s consistently lovely to Mary, and Indira Varma delivers a warm performance that’s a highlight of The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4.

Tom earns a major victory in converting Mary to poetry. 

On a drizzly day, the Gardiners and Mary take a carriage to meet Tom for the outing. He helps Mary out of the carriage, cheerfully taking her hand amid the rain. Miss Baxter is noticeably absent.

The mysterious plans turn out to be a poetry recitation. Tom says he gave Mary an “impossible task” by trying to get her to understand poetry without any idea of how to feel poetry. He recites a poem by William Wordsworth about the beauty of London. The power of the words moves him, and his passion visibly touches Mary.

For the first time, in a victory for Tom, Mary feels poetry the way Tom hoped she would. It may be The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4, but it’s only Tom’s second episode. And despite not having been present for long, he’s still managed to open Mary’s heart more than any other character we’ve met.

The Other Bennett Sister Episode 4 finds Mary struggling with how to express herself.

Tom asks how the poem made her feel. “For once, I have nothing to say,” Mary says. “I’m sorry to hear that,” Tom smiles. What a wonderfully swoon-worthy response. Mary wishes she had something inspiring to say, pointing out that Tom expresses himself through poetry, but her own feelings are “entirely unknowable.”

“I do not think you are a stranger to strong emotions,” Tom says encouragingly. His kindness is almost too much for Mary, who impulsively decides to leave London for Pemberley. She may not like being overlooked in her family, but she’s used to that feeling. Tom’s attentiveness is uncomfortably new, however kind.

Tom’s dejected, hoping the poetry recitation would cheer Mary up. “It did,” she says softly. The rain begins to fall steadily, playfully captured to look like teardrops on Tom’s face.

The Gardiners plan another game night. 

The Gardiners try to talk Mary out of leaving. It’s heartwarming to see how much they genuinely want her to stay. Before Mary can leave, Mrs. Gardiner announces she’s hosting a game night, themed around word games and riddles. (No games of Graces like in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 3.)

At the game night, Mary meets jokey, agreeable Mr. Ryder (Laurie Davidson). Mary explains that she’s not up for games. “Then it’s the company you have come for,” Ryder deduces. He’s totally wrong about Mary enjoying the company, but Mary politely chats with him. Ryder’s happy to meet her, explaining he’s “always pleased to see a new face.”

It’s an excellent setup for a love triangle in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4. Mary’s pushing aside her feelings for Tom, who’s a kindred spirit, since he’s nearly engaged to Miss Baxter: Ryder’s friendly, but the polar opposite of shy Mary.

Mary may not like games, but she loves words and beats everyone at solving the Gardiners’ riddles and word games. Ryder’s hand accidentally brushes Mary’s hand during one game – such is the thing period dramas are made for. It’s a nice contrast to Tom taking Mary’s hand earlier. Ryder’s hand touch was accidental, excitable, and jumpy. Tom was deliberate, patient, and gentle.

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4 shows that Mary there’s more than “marriage or misery.”

Speaking of Tom, he and Miss Baxter arrive late to the party. Tom and Ryder greet each other, having once been classmates. Tom notes that Mary’s doing better than she was earlier in the week, but now Tom himself isn’t very happy. He picked up on Ryder’s interest in Mary, and he does not seem to like it. What secrets does he know about Ryder?

Mary wins the final game. Tom tells her he’s happy he arrived in time to see her win, but they’re interrupted by Ryder. Tom is grumpy about this once again. Miss Baxter, having heard that Mary plans to leave London, invites her to tea.

Feeling more at ease, Mary tells Mrs. Gardiner she wants to give London a fair shot and will stay a little while longer. Mary says that living in London has shown her there’s more to life than “marriage or misery,” and, by the end of The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4, she’s excited to discover who she might become.

Thoughtful and swoon-worthy, The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4 continues to follow Mary’s growth as she decides whether to stay in London or return to a familiar, but uncomfortable, life with her mother. The beginning of a love triangle, two unlikely love interests, from the gentle and sensitive Tom to social butterfly Ryder, opens an exciting new chapter in Mary’s journey.

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 4 is now streaming on BritBox.

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