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[frary-us]

REV JAMES TRENCHARD: I hardly need tell you how good it is to see you. Please.

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: I thought of coming before, but, well, I've hesitated to put you in a position where you must keep something from Frederick. Emily told me that you're speaking again.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: We are.

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: But you do understand that he can't know.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: May I at least tell him that you've been in touch with your family and that you're safe? It would mean a very great deal to him.

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: Yes. I've seen the letters he's written. I certainly don't want him to feel so concerned. I'm so sorry about what's happened to him. I can hardly believe he has to sell the house.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Actually, I think he rather wants to sell it. He was bequeathed a sum of money recently, not a fortune, but it would have been enough to prevent the sale. But he gave the money to me, to help the poor. He has changed, Clara. His whole view of the world and of his place in it is different. I believe he would find some sort of contentment, but he can't, because he doesn't have you. It breaks my heart. (James...) He deeply regrets the way he behaved...

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: He doesn't need to.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Please, please will you see him, talk with him?

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: No. He hasn't lost my love. He couldn't. But even talking about this... My life now isn't happy, but it's simple and clear. I long for him. I do. But we're better off apart.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: You're wrong. Forgive me, but I know, I know you aren't better off apart. You need only dare to believe me.

[frary-us]

FLETCHER: I'm sorry. His spirits are very low. It's all I can do to get him to dress, since the day Her Ladyship left.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: I must write it down then, what I have to say. Do you have pen, paper, I can use?....

FLETCHER: He's heard nothing for two months. No one knows where she is.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: What do you want?

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: I... I need to speak to you, alone. If you never want to lay eyes on me again, so be it, but please... Please, listen now to what I have to say.... I need you to read this. There's a story, but let this letter be the beginning. It's a great deal to... But you deserve to see it. You deserve to make a choice.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: I don't understand.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: He's your father. And whatever else he's done, whatever else he is, it comes down to this, his care for you, clearly written on the page. He's dying. He's desperate to see you. Freddie, we have lived with lies for so long, and look what it's done to us. This is your one chance... your one chance to hear the truth, to let the light of truth shine into all of this darkness.

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: The happiest Christmas imaginable.

EMILY DUNN: Mmm. Yes. I believe it is.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Emily, I just want to say you are exceptionally excellent.

EMILY DUNN: Ohhh. (giggles)

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: And if I didn't consider myself married to God, it could only have been you.

EMILY DUNN: That is really very sweet of you. Who is that?

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: A nephew of the Misses White. He's just returned from a spell in the Army. Nice that he was able to join us.

EMILY DUNN: Yes. I should say it is.

MRS DUNN: It... It's snowing.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Why, so it is!

(x x)

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Uh...

FLETCHER: Reverend. Mr. Enright.

ENRIGHT: Mr Fletcher.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Er... Mr. Fletcher, I... I need to see His Lordship.

FLETCHER: I'm afraid he's not seeing anyone.

REV. JAMES FLETCHER: This is imperative. Please say to him that it's a matter of life and death.

[frary-us]

[frary-us]

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Despite its initial promising start, Belgravia: The Next Chapter has become something of a muddle, crammed with what feels like a half dozen subplots that don't get the depth they deserve and a narrative that's all too content to use Frederick's abundant (and annoying) Daddy Issues to as the crutch that propels its larger story forward. Thanks to a bloated midsection that seemed content to retread many of the same narrative beats 

— we get it Frederick blames James for all his problems and doesn't trust his wife —the series' final episodes had to rush things in a way that, while fun to watch play out, did a real disservice to the more significant stories of these characters. (Beyond the fact that he is gay, a vicar, and determinedly loves the brother who loathes him, it's safe to say we know almost nothing about James Trenchard.) 

After the dramatic events of last week's episode, which felt like it had roughly four hours of plot crammed into one, the Next Chapter finale has surprisingly fallout. Sure, most of the show's outstanding plot points are wrapped up (shockingly) neatly, but two-thirds of the big, highly anticipated moments take place offscreen. We hear about them afterward, and, as a result, this finale feels more like a book report than anything else. (Which isn't what anyone would call compelling television.) 

There's a tremendous amount of telling instead of showing, as though the show itself assumes its audience already knows everything generally turned out alright in the end, and the finale needs to run down a quick list of how each of those events happened. Almost everyone gets a happy — or at least a satisfactory — ending, but none feels terribly earned. And it's because we don't see any of the emotional work or growth the show claims has been going on behind the scenes. 

......Anyway, Frederick cures his daddy issues by meeting his actual father. Enright's secret letter-writing campaign was to the primarily villainous Bellasis all along. When Enright learns Bellasis is dying, he goes straight to James, and the pair of them convince Frederick that he should meet the father he never knew to get the chance to say goodbye. Frederick does, and Bellasis (in keeping with the episode's apparent theme) says things about being sorry and loving him from a distance, none of which are borne out by behavior he has exhibited in this series or the original Belgravia. But hey, he's dying, so I guess we're meant to be forgiving. (However, he doesn't miss the chance to tell James he's pretty sure he's illegitimate, so at least that tracks.)  

On the plus side, the visit to Bellasis prompts Frederick to finally reevaluate his relationship with his brother, who is still Literally the Best Person in the World. The Next Chapter still skims briskly past their reconciliation; given how fervently Frederick has spent most of this series hating James for made-up reasons or things behind his control, it would have been nice to see something more than the younger Trenchard gracefully being the bigger person for the fifth time. But I guess we can't have everything. 

.....Lots of things happened between the penultimate episode and the finale, including James' recovery from being nearly beaten to death. I guess his blackmailer took all those threats from Fletcher to heart because the good vicar no longer seems afraid of having his sexuality outed to his parishioners. He also let Emily down easy, telling her he is "married to the church" but insisting if he wasn't, boy, he'd sure consider marrying her! (James dodged a bullet here, no matter how unintentionally hilarious his non-breakup breakup speech is.) 

Frederick inherited money from Bellasis but gave it to his brother to distribute to the poor. (Again, the idea that Belgravia decided this character growth is something the audience didn't need to see boggles the mind!) Ellerby got over Clara with a blessed quickness and married his hometown girlfriend, Nell. The pair built a sweet memorial for their lost child, naturally painted by his Bohemian friends.......

[frary-us]

Starring Harriet Slater as Clara Dunn, Benjamin Wainwright as Lord Frederick Trenchard, Toby Regbo as James Trenchard, Richard Goulding as Oliver Trenchard, and Edward Bluemel as Dr Stephen Ellerby, the last episode of the series culminates in a dramatic conclusion.

In 'Belgravia: The Next Chapter' Episode 8, a significant time jump propels the narrative several months into the future, offering viewers a glimpse into the transformation of Frederick's life.

Frederick Trenchard learns a shocking truth

In 'Belgravia: The Next Chapter' Episode 8, Frederick Trenchard learns about the identity of his biological father. He is forced to confront a wave of conflicting emotions, including confusion, anger, and sadness.

In a dramatic turn of events, Mr Enright (Gerard Horan) reveals to Frederick that his real father is John Bellasis, who had an affair with Lady Trenchard.

Upon discovering that Bellasis is dying, Mr. Enright promptly approaches James Trenchard (Toby Regbo). Together, they urge Frederick to seize the opportunity for what could potentially be his first and final encounter with his biological father.

Although Frederick is initially hesitant, he ultimately agrees to meet his father. James offers a listening ear and a comforting presence, allowing Frederick to express his thoughts and feelings openly.

James also accompanies Frederick to meet his father, showcasing unwavering loyalty and love for him.

Frederick and James mend their broken relationship

The visit to Bellasis prompts Frederick to reevaluate his relationship with his brother, James, resulting in a significant shift in their bond.

Reflecting on years of estrangement and misunderstandings that have kept them apart, Frederick decides to mend their broken bond.

After engaging in heartfelt conversations and apologizing to each other, Frederick(🙄 When?!?!?😡) and James ultimately find a renewed sense of closeness. Their reconciliation marks a significant pivotal moment in their relationship.

In the final scene, Frederick and his wife, Clara Dunn, also attend James's Christmas gathering. The scene serves as a heartwarming conclusion to their journey

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Freddie....

EMILY DUNN: Do you still mean to sell the house?

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Yes.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Will you go to Glanville?

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: We thought we would do some traveling.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: See more of the world together, side by side.

MRS DUNN: Oh. Traveling, oh, dear.

EMILY DUNN: But you will come back?

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: We will always come back to all of you.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Perhaps we will go to Glanville eventually. Settle there.

CLARA DUNN TRENCHARD: Live our life the way we want to live it.

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Happy Christmas, brother.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Happy Christmas. You spoke so well. Great heart and great purpose. I'm immensely proud of you.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: We're having a small gathering at the vicarage later today. A few dear friends, a glass of punch. I... I should warn you that the Dunns will be there, but I would love it if you could come. And Enright and Mr. Fletcher, of course.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: I won't. But thank you. I'm struggling today. It would have been our first Christmas together.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: I could cancel the event. Come stay with you if...

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Dear James, don't worry.

[frary-us]

CLARA: Tell me how you've been. How's James?

EMILY: He's extremely well. We work well together at the church. He says we're a... a good team.....

CLARA: Oh, I see you're without Nell.

EMILY: Yes. She married. A doctor. It's really rather touching. They knew each other from in her hometown. Confidentially, I suspect he may have been the father of her child.

CLARA: Ah. I'm truly happy for her.

EMILY: But what of us? At this rate, we shall have to enter a nunnery.

(x)

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Is it troubling you? Who he is? Because it doesn't mean that you're like him.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: It doesn't trouble me.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: The dates... they work, don't they?

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Yes.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: It's probably true what he said about mother, about me. I once saw her with one of the groundsmen.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: So did I.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: (Chuckles softly) No one will ever know. It will remain our secret. Poor Father... he wasn't equal to any of it. Extraordinary, all those years... Enright writing your story, Bellasis loving you from afar... as you deserved to be loved.

[frary-us]

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Would you like me to leave?

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: No.

JOHN BELLASIS: Ah. Who's this?

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: My brother. Reverend James Trenchard.

JOHN BELLASIS: James... James, you changed the game, young man. The one who wasn't meant to be. I've been thinking about your mother. I wasn't especially nice to her. But then, she wasn't especially nice. I've been wondering if she used me for the stud that I am. Trenchard had failed her. She wanted her child. I wonder if he even fathered you.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD(exhales): It's all right.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Where did you meet our mother?

JOHN BALLASIS: Good old Belgravia...........

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: Freddie... We don't have to stay.

FREDERICK TRENCHARD: Wait for me.

[frary-us]

mgmplus A last chance to meet could be the first chance to freedom. Watch #Belgravia: The Next Chapter on #MGMplus (x)

[frary-us]

(Source: x)

ENRIGHT: I need to speak with you, Master James. I really need to speak with you.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: : John Bellasis? You're saying... You're saying... John Bellasis is Frederick's father?... Bellasis was the man... The man who tried to kill our cousin...... And he asked you to... to watch my brother?

ENRIGHT: He told me that he couldn't return to England. Later on, I understood why.....Paid me a small yearly fee. I was to secure a job at Glanville House and send him reports from time to time about the boy... his progress... how he was being treated.... There was never any malice in it, sir. I kept an eye on him, loved him. I'll say that. And I sent off my reports to a post office outside Paris, and I never received a reply... until today. You see why I've come? You know His Lordship has dismissed me? I'm quite sure he won't see me, so...

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: He won't see me. I've tried. I've written to him many times since I heard of his present difficulties...

ENRIGHT: Then I think we must make him see us, sir.

REV. JAMES TRENCHARD: We are to go to my brother and tell him this... this villain was his father?

[frary-us]

MGM+’s Belgravia: The Next Chapter episode 8 unveiled the truth behind the biggest secrets that hanged over the period drama’s protagonists, finally giving them some peace in addition to resolving their storylines. Belgravia: The Next Chapter’s ending surprisingly brought back a Belgravia character, through a much-needed flashback and in the main timeline, giving Frederick a glimpse of what a childhood he could have had if only John Bellasis had run away with Susan decades before. Their meeting solved so many mysteries, giving credence to Enright’s standpoint and even reuniting Frederick and James as brothers after Oliver’s hate pulled them apart......

Enright's Letters Explain Why He Worked At The Trenchard Household 

His meeting with Bellasis decades before influenced his whole life

....Owing his new life and livelihood to Bellasis, Enright was tasked with joining the Trenchard household to report on young Frederick throughout his life to his biological father. This not only kept Bellasis in the loop but also turned Enright into one of the few closest to Frederick.

Why The Truth Being Revealed Finally Reunited Frederick & James 

Their bond stopped being beyond repair once the truth about their parentage was revealed 

Frederick spent the best part of his life believing his brother James had poisoned Oliver’s heart against him, and with Susan (Alice Eve) only telling him to be strong, it led to their relationship being nonexistent. However, John Bellasis revealing Oliver was likely unable to conceive, thus making James not his biological son either, made the two brothers realize how similar their conditions were. Frederick had already relied on James when he convinced him to meet his biological father in France, but the trip cemented their relationship, finally reuniting them after Oliver’s secret kept dividing them even after his death.

Why Clara Returned To Belgravia In The Season 1 Finale 

Her stint up north was peaceful but not happy, missing her family & Frederick

Clara told James how her life wasn’t happy, but “simple and clear,” and she didn’t want to jeopardize that, because despite her love for Frederick, he had hurt her deeply. However, hearing about Frederick selling the Belgravia house to give the money to the poor and reading his letters changed her perspective, especially after hearing from Nell how she had forgiven Stephen everything because he didn’t know what happened to her and their daughter. While Clara intended to return north, she gave her life with Frederick another chance because she really believed he had changed and she still loved him. 

What Belgravia: The Next Chapter's Ending Really Means 

Leaving Belgravia, Clara & Frederick have a second chance at a new start

Clara’s new outlook on forgiveness and Frederick’s understanding of his past and how it didn’t need to influence him led them to give their relationship a second chance, this time unburdened by the Trenchards’ secret past. Their future traveling also means a new path for Davison and Fletcher, and the general message of a new start is also reflected in Emily asking after another man at James’s gathering, moving on from her crush on James. All in all, Belgravia: The Next Chapter episode 8 diametrically opposed its parent series’ ending, instead promising happiness for all the characters at its center.