DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Dickinson episode “The Soul has Bandaged moments” is riddled with spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Welcome, poetic lovers! Dickinson‘s third episode of the season finds Emily experiencing internal strife and wrestling with this thought-provoking question: Do words or actions make more of an impact?
“The Soul has Bandaged moments” certainly makes more of an impact compared to the previous outing, honing in on Emily’s insecurities as she stands at a crossroads. How does a recluse step outside of her comfort zone? Betty’s line about writing without life being “dead” strikes a chord with Emily, so it’ll be interesting to see how she adapts that sage wisdom in future episodes.
It’s a lighthearted installment with some poignant, profound moments sprinkled in, and a few seriously codependent family members who need to understand that Emily has a life (I’m looking at you, Sue, Vinnie and Mrs. Dickinson).
Can we talk about that Sojourner Truth bit? That might be the highlight of the episode for me.
Ready to delve into “The Soul has Bandaged moments”? Let’s get to it.
RELATED: Dickinson Recap: (S03E02) It feels a shame to be Alive –
We open with Emily (Hailee Steinfeld) rummaging through books in her father’s study. Suddenly, Edward (Toby Huss) waltzes in, fit as a fiddle. He’s fully recovered from his health scare. Oh, and he also believes he’ll die soon, so it’s time to finish writing his will.
Emily asks Edward if he’s angry with Austin, but he feels it isn’t right to hold grudges when life is fleeting. Methinks he’ll probably write Austin out of the will or bequeath his son considerably less than his sisters.
Meanwhile, Betty (Amanda Warren) hems a beautiful black gown on Vinnie (Anna Baryshnikov). Vinnie’s in mourning; after all, she’s grieving the loss of all the dead soldiers she’ll never marry. Baryshnikov shines in this episode with her pitch-perfect comedic timing.
Betty reveals she still hasn’t heard from Henry, and he sent his last letter over a month ago. Emily encourages Betty to have faith. Vinnie invites Emily to a sewing club she’s hosting that evening, and Betty will also attend. They’ll be making bandages for the soldiers. Despite Emily’s lack of sewing talent, she reluctantly accepts the invitation.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Dickinson (Jane Krakowski) bursts into the room in a rage. Sue won’t allow her to hold her grandson. In addition, Sue only wants Emily at her side.
Thus, Mrs. Dickinson urges Emily to persuade Sue regarding her child and let grammy hold her grandbaby!
So, now the entire Dickinson household relies on Emily to get s**t done.
Later, Emily visits Sue, who allows Emily to sit on the bed with her. Sue cradles her infant in her arms. She quickly figures out that Mrs. Dickinson sent Emily over to do some convincing. However, Sue wants to spend as much time with her baby before he becomes a “Dickinson.” Plus, Emily’s mother lords over Sue with her unwanted remarks and unsolicited advice.
Next, Sue, once again, mentions raising the child with Emily, and she still wants them to run away together. Austin’s out drinking, so Sue asks Emily to attend dinner with her that night. But Emily promised Vinnie she’d be at the sewing club, so there’s that. Irritated, Sue accuses Emily of always putting her family first.
Well, all Emily wants to do is write.
RELATED: Dickinson Season Premiere Recap: (S03E01) “Hope” is the thing with feathers
Then, at the sewing club, Emily, Vinnie, Mrs. Dickinson and their posse make bandages while Betty supervises their work. The conversation turns to what’s most beneficial for the war effort when Emily laments her inability to do “womanly” tasks.
Betty corroborates Emily’s belief that writing poetry is impactful. Henry’s writing helps her, at least it did before he stopped. However, it would help your writing if you lived life. Otherwise, your words will be lifeless.
Kevin Yee as Toshiaki kills it in every scene and never fails to make me laugh.
During this sequence, we see Henry (Chinaza Uche) arrive at a solitary encampment under the light of a full moon.
Meanwhile, after a bar brawl, George (Samuel Farnsworth) brings Austin (Adrian Blake Enscoe) home. We see a nasty wound on Austin’s leg, and Mrs. Dickinson grabs all of the soldiers’ bandages to use on her son, much to Betty’s understandable annoyance. What happened to Austin “seceding” from the family?
Emily tells Austin that Edward isn’t mad at him, but it doesn’t help or mend the situation.
Later, Emily writes in her room while Betty’s words replay in her mind. George enters, much to her irritation, but he comes bearing gifts. It’s an article in The Atlantic by Thomas Wentworth Higginson, the American author and abolitionist who was a member of the Secret Six who supported John Brown.
The encampment Henry reaches is the first Black Union regiment led by Higginson. A soldier greets him and takes him in.
Unfortunately, George seizes the moment to, once again, showcase his undying love for Emily by trying to kiss her. Read the room, fella — she’s not into you.
Then, we see Betty arrive home after the sewing club. Her houseguest is none other than Sojourner Truth (Ziwe), and Betty’s helping her write her memoir. I love the bit about Sojourner being 66 years old and looking that good, especially since Ziwe is only 29 in real life.
Emily returns to her desk to write, but instead of poetry, she pens a letter to Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
RELATED: Queer Tested, Teacher Approved: What’s With Teen LGBTQ+ Movies?
“The Soul has Bandaged moments” brilliantly blends real-life events, colliding them with Emily’s reclusive existence. We get to see more of Emily’s mind at work and how the war profoundly affects everyone in Amherst. I’m curious to see when Higginson pops up since he and Emily become pen pals.
Also, more Sojourner Truth, please and thank you!
New episodes of Dickinson are available to stream Fridays on Apple TV Plus.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/top-10-favorite-lgbtqia-tv-couples/
[email protected]
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- YELLOWJACKETS Recap: (S03E06) Thanksgiving (Canada) - March 14, 2025
- TED LASSO Season 4 Is Officially a Go at Apple TV+ - March 14, 2025
- HARLEY QUINN Recap: (S05E09) Bottle Episode (But Not a ‘Bottle Episode’) - March 13, 2025
