House of Guinness Recap: After Hours

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Arthur had a surprisingly simple plan to win the election: he tried to buy votes with used train tickets. It didn’t work as expected. Although he initially won, six months later, the consequences of his actions are catching up to him. While Arthur himself hasn’t been found guilty of voting fraud, several of his associates have been, which means his election victory is now invalid.

The news immediately causes problems. James expresses his anger by aggressively completing a sign he’s painting on the Guinness factory wall. Olivia, after hearing from Rafferty, decides to celebrate, though almost everyone else sees it as a strange time to rejoice. This leads to her secretly replacing her regular violin teacher with Rafferty for a private lesson, filled with suggestive conversation disguised as talk about music and sadness. When Arthur comes home, Potter tries to tell on them, but Arthur quickly stops him, telling him to mind his own business. It’s a marriage in name only – doesn’t he understand that? Privately, though, Arthur tells Olivia to be a little more careful with her affair.

Anne, who is now noticeably pregnant, receives a very unpleasant response from Reverend Grattan when she discusses the trial’s result – a much harsher reaction than Rafferty experienced. Still angry about being excluded from the will and the impact that has on his work, Grattan compares Arthur to an “eel from the River Liffey escaping justice.” He then threatens to reveal damaging information, claiming he knows the truth about the election fraud. This is a particularly difficult situation for a pregnant woman, especially considering Anne’s fragile health.

Edward was surprised to see Adelaide at his office, especially since she’d been avoiding his attempts to make plans. She even playfully wiped paint off his face! While she doesn’t seem interested in a romantic relationship, Adelaide needs his help with a project she developed with Anne: rebuilding Dublin’s slums with modern, affordable housing. She’s hoping Guinness will fund the expensive undertaking, but insists she doesn’t want to influence Edward’s decision – though sending the plans by messenger would have been much simpler.

So, things are getting interesting over in America! My cousin Byron wrote to say he’s come up with a brilliant scheme to really get Guinness off the ground, but my brother Edward is a bit hesitant, to say the least. Byron’s basically been a one-man marketing machine, singing the praises of Guinness everywhere he goes. It’s funny, because years later, Guinness actually used the slogan “Guinness Is Good for You” – Byron was saying the same thing way back then! He was pitching Guinness as something that could literally keep you going strong, using this whole elaborate story about sailors and the sea.

I have to say, the film really sets up a tense situation when Byron meets with Eamon Dodd, a tough Civil War vet now running security for the Fenians. Byron’s cousin wisely warns him that a simple sales pitch won’t cut it with this guy. Initially, it *looks* like Byron’s attempt to sell Guinness is going horribly wrong. But then, a clever twist! It turns out Byron isn’t just there to hawk beer; he has a political proposal. He’s offering the Fenians 15% of Guinness sales, cleverly disguised as charitable donations. The reaction from Edward to this number is priceless – you can see the shock right on his face, and it’s a key moment.

Arthur is also struggling. Bonnie, following Edward’s orders, has barred him from the Angel, his entertainment venue by the docks. Furious and intoxicated, Arthur goes to the brewery hoping to confront his brother, but Edward isn’t there. Instead, Arthur finds some of Edward’s private plans, which upsets him, and he retreats into a gloomy mood. However, his night takes a surprising turn when Patrick, a guard he knows from the Angel (and the second Patrick in the series, played by Cúán Hosty-Blaney), enters the brewery. Patrick is still attracted to Arthur and makes it clear he’s interested in a casual encounter, which Arthur readily accepts.

Meanwhile, Edward has gone to visit Ellen at her boarding house, where a nosy landlady lives downstairs. Ellen believes they no longer have a working relationship since Arthur can no longer assist the Fenian Brotherhood. However, it’s actually the Fenian issue that brought Edward to her. To avoid the landlady, they sneak upstairs to Ellen’s room. Ellen suggests Edward either negotiate a lower price to avoid paying a 15% commission to the Fenians, or risk Byron’s safety. They then both admit they find themselves thinking about each other surprisingly often. They share a quiet, intimate moment, shown alongside a parallel scene of Arthur having an affair at the office.

Anne, too, is quite busy having her baby, noisily.

Before the brewery’s expansion celebration, Arthur and Rafferty have a frank conversation. Rafferty feels Arthur needs to take a more active role in the brewery, especially after his recent political setback. Arthur acknowledges this will mean less time with Olivia, but surprisingly offers his blessing for Rafferty to spend time with her when he can’t, as long as they keep it discreet.

Today is a significant occasion, marked by a surprise appearance from Benjamin and his wife, Henrietta (played by Elizabeth Dulau). Not only is Benjamin sober, but he’s also expecting a child! He’s pleasantly surprised to see his brothers getting along, jokingly asking if they’ve finally made peace. However, not everyone is happy. Aunt Agnes is missing, dealing with a family issue involving Christine, who is devastated that Benjamin has married and is contemplating suicide. Agnes offers her usual advice: Christine should give up on men, join the family’s charitable foundation, and drink heavily to cope.

Arthur generously praised Edward in his speech, then promised to work even harder for the company, which was met with enthusiastic applause. Things were looking bright. As the event concluded, Edward hinted to Arthur that they needed to discuss the New York situation.

The show’s quick decision to move past the recent scandal surrounding Arthur’s election feels strange at first, but it actually works well with the show’s fast pace and complex storyline. *House of Guinness* juggles many different plot threads, and dwelling on the scandal would have likely slowed things down. However, it’s a significant event to gloss over, especially considering its impact on Arthur. This quick progression also introduces Anne’s sudden pregnancy. Despite this, it’s another strong and engaging episode that shows the family recovering from a low point and achieving professional success. However, it hints that more trouble is on the horizon if they aren’t cautious.

Sláinte!

While *House of Guinness* takes many creative liberties with historical events, the connection it draws between the Guinness family’s American expansion and the Fenian Brotherhood feels like the most significant departure from reality. The series’ creator, Stephen Knight, admits to blending fact and fiction, using real events as a starting point for imagined scenarios. Historical records suggest this particular storyline is largely based on speculation and creative invention rather than established fact.

But is the show truly fictional? Each episode acknowledges an original idea from Ivana Lowell, a member of the famous Guinness family. According to one source, Lowell possesses a wealth of previously unheard stories and information about the family’s history, suggesting the show is based on real experiences and details, making the line between fact and fiction somewhat blurred.

Last week, we learned about a historical person named William Randall Roberts. This week, we’re introduced to Eamon Dodd, who is a fictional character. However, the ambitious and unusual plans being developed by the Fenian Brotherhood are based on actual events, even though they sound like something out of a novel.

Anne’s reply to the question about her labor might be the funniest thing that’s happened on the show so far.

I was so thrilled to hear “Brewing Up a Storm” by The Stunning on this episode! It’s a classic track from their 1990 album, *Paradise in the Picturehouse*, and always puts a smile on my face. I also loved discovering “Choose Life” by Shark School, a newer band from Galway. It’s fantastic that they’re not only making great music, but also building community with their Femme Fest festival in 2024!

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2025-09-25 22:56