I'm glad it wasn't just me who didn't recognize the dead guy; I feel like I'm, at this point, able to recognize pretty much all the recurring characters who appear from one episode to the next, and couldn't place his face at all. With how John multiple times referred to him as a friend (albeit of course meaning of the employee category) I figured he must have appeared at least a time or two in earlier episodes.

It appears that Mrs. Beecham is pretty much at Violet's mercy, as she'll do whatever Violet wants, in order to be able to keep having a supply of opium.

Meanwhile, Violet seems to be quite street-savvy, and rather fearless! What unescorted "English rose" of back then would feel comfortable wandering about amongst back-alley peddlers and the like?! Not to mention she was seen to have some effective self-defense moves!

Ditto about Violet genplant! What a woman! It makes me wonder if she's been to India before, in light of her comfort with the environment compared to the high-strung Mrs. B. Maybe her family's shipping business has afforded her the opportunity to travel abroad more extensively than usual. I'm not so sure Mrs. B will want her to continue to procure opium for her though, considering her reaction to the drug (if that is indeed the cause of Mrs. B's parasomnia attack). Now that I'm thinking of it though, Mrs. B was rather sheepish when discussing opium with Violet. Since it was used extensively for so long and in so many products, why would she feel embarrassed or guilty about using it? Maybe she's a junkie.

The show and its characters are definitely getting more interesting! And what about that elaborate gold and bejeweled automaton for the Empress?!?! Yowza!!!

John had entrusted Gopal to bring the Empress' birthday gift safely back to Beecham House.

He was with John and Samuel when they went to buy the gift.

John: "Gopal."

Gopal: "Yes, sahib."

John: "It is of the utmost importance that you deliver this gift back to Delhi on time. Our future depends on it. I trust you more than any man to deliver it safely back."

Side notes:

Gopal was also at the beginning of the first episode when John came to the house for the first time.

Thanks for the info, wonder!

I agree with you, merry, that the storylines are becoming increasingly more interesting and intriguing. And, yes: I want one of those with-all-the-bells-and-whistles automatons!

Btw, was it just me who got the impression the Empress was giving lovely Margaret Osborne "the look"?

At nearly $1,800 per ounce for gold these days, I'm afraid an automaton like the one for the Empress would set you back quite a bit genplant! How about one in brass, with crystals instead of the priciest gemstones?!?!

I missed the suggestive "look" you're referring too. Now you've made me want to watch the episode again!

How about one in brass, with crystals instead of the priciest gemstones?!?!

That would do!

I haven't seen episode 2 yet (tonight) but from what I have read in this thread maybe Violet's father was a smuggler (might explain how she came by her 'street smarts') & that is how he came to be able to buy a shipping company? 'New' money will not necessarily guarantee Violet will marry well in England at the time, so going to India to find a husband with money isn't really that odd. You could fund a lavish lifestyle with very little money in India back then compared to what you could have back in England.

You've made some very interesting points bratface! They make perfect sense.

The child is obviously connected to the very beginning. Maybe the people he saved were the rightful rulers? There were so many Maharajas for so many areas/districts back in the day.

Okay, first of all I just read through the PBS synopses of the main characters. I should've read them before bothering to speculate so much about the Beecham family background because it states that Henrietta Beecham is upper middle-class. Also bratface, FYI it says the baby is John's son. The blurb about Violet doesn't infer that she's particularly worldly or well traveled or familiar with India -- so much for all of the speculation about her too. An interesting factoid is that IRL Violet (Bessie Carter) is the daughter of actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton. I didn't know they were married!

I also re-watched most of the last episode mainly to check out "the look" genplant mentioned the Empress gave Margaret. Actually, what I noticed is the Empress' fellow royal companion/relative/friend/whatever, Begum Samru (the one always with her who sports a large ring in her nostril) giving Margaret what could be interpreted as a suggestive look while while puffing away on something that resembles a vape pen. This is the scene when Margaret brings her pupil (second cousin to the Empress?) to discuss marriage plans. Back to Begum Samru who's known for having her own formidable army: since the Emperor is old and blind, I wonder if his wife and Begum could be more than just friends -- they seem to give each other suggestive, knowing looks as well as Margaret! Then again I suppose they could be sisters or something.

The best line in Ep. 3 was Mrs. B's: "She can tell all of that from a banana???" If you recall this was said in the scene of August's first solid food ceremony, which was puzzling to me, as Chandrika named items on a tray - a book, pen, jewels and picture - each with a specific meaning. Which one the baby chooses indicates what kind of person he will become. But August picked up a piece of banana -- not one of the options mentioned! Chandrika said it meant he would be surrounded by loving family. I've watched the scene over and over and still don't get it.

Also, it was right after that when John took Maya aside to inform her of Gopal's fate. She cried and replied, "Our poor mother. How will our family survive?". This is why I presumed Gopal was Maya's brother, not her husband.

And why am I not surprised Samuel Parker is a snake? He's looked shifty from the beginning. At least John's brother Daniel seems to be on to him.

@merryapril said:

The best line in Ep. 3 was Mrs. B's: "She can tell all of that from a banana???" If you recall this was said in the scene of August's first solid food ceremony, which was puzzling to me, as Chandrika named items on a tray - a book, pen, jewels, and pictures - each with a specific meaning. Which one the baby chooses indicates what kind of person he will become. But August picked up a piece of banana -- not one of the options mentioned! Chandrika said it meant he would be surrounded by a loving family. I've watched the scene over and over and still don't get it.

Also, it was right after that when John took Maya aside to inform her of Gopal's fate. She cried and replied, "Our poor mother. How will our family survive?". This is why I presumed Gopal was Maya's brother, not her husband.

And why am I not surprised Samuel Parker is a snake? He's looked shifty from the beginning. At least John's brother Daniel seems to be on to him.

I remember him (Marc Warren) mainly from the series 'Hustle'. But I've seen him in other things & sleaze bag usually comes to mind!

@bratface said:

@merryapril said:

And why am I not surprised Samuel Parker is a snake? He's looked shifty from the beginning. At least John's brother Daniel seems to be on to him.

I remember him (Marc Warren) mainly from the series 'Hustle'. But I've seen him in other things & sleaze bag usually comes to mind!

Looks can be destiny, but are definitely, positively so when it comes to acting!

John was so quick and willing to take Samuel on as a partner, but it's the prodigal brother who sees through him. I guess it takes one to know one.

By the way, any one who watches "Endeavour (2013-)" might have recognized the actress Dakota Blue Richards (Margaret Osborne):

...WPC Shirley Trewlove

Speaking of Endeavour, I wonder when its 7th season will air on PBS in the States. (It aired in the UK back in Feb.)

@merryapril said:

An interesting factoid is that IRL Violet (Bessie Carter) is the daughter of actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton. I didn't know they were married!

I didn't know that, either! Neat!

Here father, mother, and daughter are pictured together.

I...re-watched most of the last episode mainly to check out "the look" genplant mentioned the Empress gave Margaret. Actually, what I noticed is the Empress' fellow royal companion/relative/friend/whatever, Begum Samru (the one always with her who sports a large ring in her nostril) giving Margaret what could be interpreted as a suggestive look....This is the scene when Margaret brings her pupil (second cousin to the Empress?) to discuss marriage plans.

I remember that the woman who gave "the look" was the one sitting on the left when Margaret and her young charge were having their meeting with the two royal ladies; it was that woman on the left I meant when I mistakenly said it was the empress who appeared to be eyeing lovely Margaret as if she is quite the enticing dish.