RECAP: ‘The Other Bennet Sister’ Episode 10

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 concludes Mary’s (Ella Bruccoleri) journey of self-discovery with a moving portrait of forgiveness and friendship. And, like all Jane Austen-inspired stories, there’s a declaration of love.

Mary tries writing to Tom (Dónal Finn), but he still hasn’t returned to London, and no one knows where he is. All letters addressed to him are returned to Mary with no forwarding address. Mary resolves not to wallow and continues her goal of building a happy, single life in London.

But before Mary’s life can move forward, Mrs. Bennet (Ruth Jones) visits. She’s officially in town to see a doctor for her “nervous complaints,” but more importantly, she insists on finding Mary a husband. Mary says she’s enjoying her single life and that Mrs. Bennet should be content that four of her five daughters are married. The Gardiners (Indira Varma and Richard Coyle) back Mary up, but their support falls on deaf ears.

Mrs. Bennet’s antics are not helped when Ryder (Laurie Davidson) requests a private meeting with Mary. He apologizes for leaving Mary in the Lake District without saying goodbye. He finally reveals the mysterious issue that he spoke to Tom about in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 9. Ryder was unexpectedly named Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s heir and will eventually inherit a massive fortune.

Mrs. Bennet can’t leave Mary alone, but Mary soon sees she’s not just a muddling mother.

With the foundation of a newfound inheritance, Ryder planned to propose to Mary, and he says that Tom “gave me his blessing.” Mary is baffled to hear it, and when Ryder asks her to marry him, she turns him down. Ryder is hurt by her rejection, but Mary insists he deserves someone who loves him beyond friendship and believes he will one day find the happiness he deserves. Ryder departs, leaving The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 as a dejected man rather than his jovial self.

On a walk, Mary runs into Mr. Sparrow (Aaron Gill), whom she has not seen since the Meryton assembly in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 1. He has recently graduated from medical school, and Mary shares her plans to become a governess despite her mother’s disapproval. Mr. Sparrow says that Mary shouldn’t try so hard to please Mrs. Bennet if they have such different goals for her life. “Our happiness is up to us,” Mary says, echoing a conversation between herself and Mr. Collins in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 7. 

At the Gardiners’ house, Mrs. Bennet confronts Mary about rejecting Ryder. Mary says she has witnessed enough miserable marriages and has found happiness in her singleness. Mrs. Bennet says that having five daughters to marry off has been a struggle, and that Mr. Bennet (Richard E. Grant) was no help in securing their daughters’ futures. All Mrs. Bennet has wanted is to see her daughters in stable positions and secure futures, and in Regency England, that can only be done through marriage.

The Gardiners continue to be the best, offering Mary support through and through.

“I was quite alone,” Mrs. Bennet cries, and for the first time, Mary sees her mother as more than just a hysterical figure controlling her life. Mary insists that she has found happiness and tries to comfort Mrs. Bennet with that knowledge. “I did not want you to be left behind,” Mrs. Bennet sniffs, and she leaves for Pemberley shortly afterward.

Some time later, Mrs. Gardiner and Mary discuss Ryder’s proposal. Mary doesn’t regret turning him down, but is sad that “without a home of my own, I shall never choose my own wallpaper.” Mrs. Gardiner insists that Mary can live with her and her family as long as she likes, and that Mary choose the wallpaper for her own bedroom.

Another unexpected visitor arrives for Mary. This time, it’s Caroline Bingley (Tanya Reynolds), who’s come to ask Mary to leave Ryder alone. Mary clarifies that she has only ever been in love with Tom, a fact that surprises Caroline. “Surely he is attainable,” Caroline says, but Mary explains that Tom has not returned to London and no one knows where he is.

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 is moving, gently dissecting the anxieties of the women surrounding Mary.

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 is gently moving, depicting the vulnerabilities of Mrs. Bennet and Caroline despite antagonizing Mary. They represent their own avenues of difficulty for women in Regency England. Mrs. Bennet has had to secure her daughters’ financial futures through marriage. Caroline, though vain and wealthy, already felt rejected when Mr. Darcy (Victor Pilard) never returned her love, and was afraid of losing Ryder to Mary.

At least Caroline’s struggles with Mary have proven to be in vain in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10. Caroline and Mary parted politely, but will never consider each other as friends. Mary renews her friendship with Miss Baxter (Varada Sethu), who has returned from her visit up north. Mary thrives as a governess and continues to live happily with the Gardiners, and loves the goodness of her life, but thinks “one can always be a little happier.”

One day, Mary goes for a solo walk and hears her name being repeatedly called by a familiar voice. The voice belongs to Tom, who chases after Mary. After learning about Ryder’s fortune and plans to propose, Tom felt he should “graciously step aside” and leave town so Mary could have the freedom to accept Ryder. Mary, angry that Tom would make a choice about her own future without consulting her first, punches him in the arm.

Mary ultimately finds the love she never expected.

Tom explains that he thought Mary deserved Ryder, who could promise her wealth and adventure. But, Tom says, even though he can’t offer Mary much on his barrister’s salary, “I can offer you my love and devotion.” They both cry as Mary insists she has only ever loved Tom.

Tom tells Mary he’s loved her ever since he found her playing Graces alone in The Other Bennet Sister Episode 3. “I have spent my life on the outside of things,” he says, “but with you, I am right in the middle of it all.” He proposes, and Mary immediately accepts. Tom says that he only returned to London after Caroline tracked him down and wrote him a letter saying that Mary loved him. They marvel at Caroline actually doing a good deed, and Tom says Caroline has gone to Italy in search of Ryder.

The Gardiners are ecstatic about Mary and Tom’s engagement. After marrying, Tom and Mary move into a house of their own, full of books and of the wallpaper Mary has chosen. Mary narrates that she married Tom “on my own terms, in my own time, and I hope you’ll realize that is almost beside the point.” No doubt inspired by her own love of reading, The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 ends with Mary beginning to write a book of her own, titled “Advice to a Young Woman.”

The Other Bennet Sister Episode 10 is a joyful, heartfelt finale that concludes Mary’s story with love and self-acceptance while extending empathy to Caroline and Mrs. Bennet. Bruccoleri and Finn turn in transformative performances, allowing their restrained, quiet characters a moment to finally express their feelings. It’s an emotional finale worthy of Jane Austen’s own storytelling. As far as Austen-inspired stories go, The Other Bennet Sister is one of the greats.

The Other Bennet Sister is now streaming on BritBox.

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