DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Gentleman Jack episode “Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably,” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Welcome back, Anne/Ann fans! Gentleman Jack‘s latest outing, “Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably,” lays the groundwork for potentially explosive future scenes between Suranne Jones‘ Anne Lister, Sophie Rundle‘s Ann Walker and Lydia Leonard‘s Mariana Lawton.
Full disclosure: I found it challenging to remain interested in any scene not concerning the above love triangle. When Jones, Rundle or Leonard aren’t onscreen, Gentleman Jack feels like an entirely different show. While I appreciate the series’ valiant effort to establish a fully-formed universe beyond its charismatic leads, there needs to be more of a connection between everyone. Otherwise, it will continue to feel like two vastly different shows playing simultaneously.
Ready to dig deep into “Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Anne Lister (Jones) reciting her rigorous and meticulous daily schedule as she jots it down in her diary. Then, while at the breakfast table with Ann Walker (Rundle), Marian (Gemma Whelan), Aunt Lister (Gemma Jones) and Jeremy (Timothy West), Anne learns about a new railway taking root in Selby. This development stirs the waters of debate among the family. Will this new railroad finally put the canals to bed?
Marian reveals she heard railways were unhealthy, causing “headaches and biliousness.” Oh, and they also make cows explode. Who doesn’t love a good exploding cow?
Next, our lovebirds spend the day visiting with the Walker clan. Yes, every last one. Ann gushes about her travels with Anne to her cousins and their French adventures, notably Anne’s exploits. Meanwhile, Anne asks about thoughts regarding the Selby railway.
Mariana Lawton (Leonard) suffers from another dizzy spell in her home, and believes it’s high time she reunite with Anne, a.k.a. her Fred. Her health is at stake! However, Mariana reads Anne’s most recent letter, wherein Anne furiously (but eloquently) tells Mariana that she made the right choice by choosing not to visit Shibden. Mariana sobs.
Mr. Washington (Joe Armstrong) finds his daughter Eliza (Emma Wrightson) sitting alone in the woods. Eliza discloses to her father that she’s not allowed to spend time with Henry anymore but won’t reveal why. Then, Washington learns from his wife that Suzannah continues to receive verbal and sexual harassment at the hands of Ben Sowden, and Thomas hasn’t done anything to remedy the situation.
Later, Thomas (Tom Lewis) informs Suzannah (Amy James-Kelly) and Mary (Lucy Black) that Uncle Ben has vanished. He’s gone. Methinks Thomas seized an opportunity to feed the pigs again…
Anne and Ann continue their Walker tour, making a pit stop at Mrs. Rawson’s (Sara Kestelman) humble abode. Rawson believes the couple should exercise caution as folks gossip about them. Heaven help us if Ann Walker starts walking and talking like Anne Lister! Anne explains Mrs. Priestley started a false rumor, so there’s that.
Next, Ann receives a letter from her sister in Scotland. Unfortunately, said sister mentions nothing about dividing the estate, much to Ann’s annoyance. Anne urges her wife to write again. Be persistent.
Washington visits his daughter Suzannah, asking about Ben Sowden. She claims he disappeared, as Thomas stated. According to her, her husband also seemingly blipped out of existence. Washington encourages Suzannah to reach out to him if need be. As Washington rides away from the Sowden residence, the camera pans on the pigsty, alluding to the potentiality of Thomas feeding his uncle to the pigs.
Meanwhile, Anne takes her father’s carriage to meet with John Waterhouse (Nicholas Farrell) regarding the Selby railway. Anne is a shareholder, after all, so she’s curious about what he plans to do. Will he continue investing in the canals? Waterhouse tries to evade Anne’s questioning, but she overpowers him, lording her shareholder status over him.
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Later, Anne reads Mariana’s latest letter. Anne turns to the camera, breaking the fourth wall and telling us that Mariana brought this, their fractured relationship, on herself. Mariana pleads with Anne to visit her. Anne debates whether she should reply, but, instead, she decides to write a strongly-worded letter to John Waterhouse, prodding him into revealing his plans to counteract the railway potentially.
Ann vents her frustrations regarding her sister Elizabeth and Captain Sutherland. She feels Anne is the only one looking out for her since her brother passed away.
Our favorite wives visit the Selby railroad, taking a ride on the dangerous vessel that causes “headaches and biliousness.” Anne and Ann seem fascinated by its machinations.
Thomas catches his mother digging through the pigpen, clearly on the hunt for Ben Sowden’s chewed corpse. However, Thomas reveals Ben’s not there and not-so-subtly threatens Mary to keep quiet if she knows what’s good for her. No, that’s not suspicious at all, dude.
Then, Henry’s mom tells his father why he’s not allowed to hang out with Eliza Washington anymore. She regales the hubby with the tale of Eliza and Henry’s Crow Nest adventure. Remember when they hid in a room while watching Anne and Ann makeout? Firstly, the Homophobia is intense with this lady. Secondly, this info sharing could spell danger for Anne and Ann.
Meanwhile, Anne asks for Ann’s permission to visit Mariana, vowing to refrain from doing so if Ann’s uncomfortable with it.
Anne attends the shareholders’ meeting with Waterhouse and his associates. William Briggs (Hywel Morgan) vocalizes his opposition to throwing more money, notably more of the shareholders’ financial support, at the canals when railroads will make canals obsolete in two decades. After Briggs departs in a huff, Waterhouse tells Anne he believes Briggs plans to politicize the situation to his advantage.
Next, Anne informs Aunt Lister about her impending visit with Mariana Lawton, much to the latter’s surprise. It’s all about unfinished business, baby! Anne bids farewell to her wife, who tearfully makes her promise to return home to Shibden.
Anne finally arrives at Mariana’s lavish home. Mariana reluctantly enters the room, and the pair awkwardly reunite. Mariana reminds Anne of how much pain she’s inflicted upon her and how Anne’s marriage with Ann sent Mariana down the rabbit hole of agony. You can cut the tension lingering in the air with a knife.
Mariana declares that Anne doesn’t love Ann. She can read between the lines. So, why would she torture Mariana over a woman she doesn’t love? Oof.
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That final scene is perfection. I want all the drama! I expect to get more raw, visceral vulnerability in next week’s episode as we delve deeper into Anne and Mariana’s complex relationship.
If I had to pick a non-Anne/Ann-related storyline in which to invest, I’d choose the Sowden family drama. Gentleman Jack brilliantly teases Thomas’ involvement in Ben’s disappearance. I’d be surprised if Ben genuinely vanished like Thomas claims.
Despite its heavily inconsistent pacing, “Tripe All Over the Place, Presumably” gives Suranne Jones the freedom to play as Anne, allowing her to fully embody our revolutionary lead character with charm, wit and pathos. She is the show.
Do you think Thomas killed his uncle? How will this railway versus canals thing shake out? What painful truths will we unearth regarding Anne and Mariana? Join me next week while I recap Gentleman Jack, only on Geek Girl Authority.
Gentleman Jack streams new episodes every Monday at 10 pm on HBO Max.
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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.
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