The Forsytes Recap: A Defiantly Stupid Hat

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Okay, so, I have to admit it – I was totally wrong! Everyone who knows The Forsyte Saga saw this coming, but I stubbornly held onto my affection for Soames. And now, it turns out I was way off base. Yep, I officially look silly!

Jol was dressed a bit more for the time period than usual as he went riding with Frances and June. I’m starting to get used to his modern hairstyle, though I’m really glad he was wearing a tie. I’ve been complaining about his refusal to wear one, especially since he works (or will be working) in finance! Honestly, I’m more interested in the personal conflicts than the business details. We find out Jol has set up trust funds for his children, but he’s estranged from them. Right, and I’m sure that’s the whole story, Jol. Seriously, stop unexpectedly showing up at your ex-wife’s house – she clearly wants nothing to do with you.

Jol showed up to work without a tie, which is… a choice. Honestly, it’s almost admirable. Meanwhile, Bill from True Blood is offering Jol advice on how to run things while Soames is on his honeymoon. Then, a potential investor appears, eager to fund their questionable business venture. Jol tries to talk him out of it, but James insists they take the money. I usually dislike agreeing with James, but Jol really doesn’t seem suited for finance if he’s uncomfortable profiting from others’ misfortune. He’s even taken down the pictures of Venice in his office, apparently determined to try being a businessman. It’s not going to work. He clearly belongs to a more bohemian lifestyle.

Soames and Irene are sharing a romantic moment on a balcony in Paris while the Eiffel Tower is under construction – it’s the 1880s! Though some French artists might disagree, it’s a truly impressive structure. Irene mentions watching the sunrise earlier, which annoys Soames – he feels excluded that she did something without him. He insists that as a married couple, they should share all experiences together. Irene promises to wake him next time, but the narrator laments the need for couples to maintain some individual lives. While enjoying time with friends is great, constantly seeing a spouse can be overwhelming.

Ellen Parker Barrington is back, and it turns out she’s been connected to Louisa the whole time – she’s the one who financially supported Louisa’s shop. We learn this while Mrs. Barrington is visiting. Later, while walking with Frances, Mrs. Barrington talks about a charity she’s organizing to help women who have faced hardship – it’s a rather harsh-sounding name, though. She wants Louisa to speak at the event as an inspiring example of someone who’s turned her life around. Honestly, it’s frustrating how out of touch wealthy people can be.

Louisa spoke at the fundraiser and revealed she had a child out of wedlock, but everyone still cares for her. This bothers Frances, who seems to be dwelling on issues with Louisa, Jol, and June. Frances was talking about getting revenge last week, and honestly, she just needs a distraction.

I need an explanation about Poor Boy’s unusual hat. I’ve done a lot of research trying to figure out if coonskin hats were ever popular in 1880s England or anywhere outside the US in the 1950s. Someone mentioned Benjamin Franklin, but his hat was made of marten fur, not raccoon. If you wrote this episode, please let me know why Poor Boy (who I’ve nicknamed “Scruffy”) is wearing a raccoon hat while walking around London. And please don’t tell me it’s a fashion statement – it just looks ridiculous! I’m hoping there’s a more interesting reason, like a curse from a witch that forces him to wear it for an hour each day.

Scruffy and June meet in a park – he’s wearing his cursed hat and gives her a book of Keats’ poetry. That part works for me. She asks him to read aloud, and he chooses “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” which is quite sensual, though that’s typical of Keats. June becomes very attracted to Scruffy, but Frances is determined for her to marry Carteret. The older Forsyte family members want all their children to marry into the Carteret family, but the children aren’t interested at all. June is stuck talking to one of the Carteret boys, Horatio, who is obsessed with moths. June pretends she isn’t fascinated by his moth knowledge, even though she actually is. Honestly, it’s only boring if you don’t have a strong interest in something. A shared passion for moths could be a great base for a marriage – one moth fact at a time!

June is invited to the Carteret family’s estate, Frampton Park, and she’s pretty sure Moth Man is going to propose. She’s horrified and immediately runs to Scruffy’s attic room. Everyone expected them to get intimate, but instead, they jokingly discuss marriage, then seriously consider it. June, being eighteen, believes love is all that matters, even if Scruffy is in debt and has a bad reputation. They quickly become engaged and June tells her family. Jol meets Scruffy and invites him to his club. Scruffy immediately announces he’s a rebellious free-thinker, and seems surprised when Jol doesn’t react negatively. Jol approves of the engagement, but insists they can’t marry until Scruffy completes his first architectural project—which seems fair enough. Later, Jol tells Frances he doubts Scruffy and June will still be together by then, and that’s probably true. They have a small, awkward engagement party, and Scruffy shows up wearing a ridiculous hat. Everyone is starting to wish Moth Man was still around!

The most interesting thing about this party is finding out that Bill and James, both from True Blood, used to be in love with the same woman when they were younger. Bill mentions he often wonders what happened to her, and they actually tell us her name – Alexandra. This is a classic soap opera move, meaning she’s almost certainly going to reappear. Soap operas are famous for bringing back characters from the past – someone will say, “Remember Dmitri? I was heartbroken when he died,” and then, a week later, Dmitri is miraculously alive! I’m really hoping Alexandra does show up and causes some trouble for Bill and James.

Yes, I’m deliberately focusing on silly details to avoid talking about the real issue: my avoidance of Irene and Soames. Soames is captivated by Irene’s spirit, but he can’t stand seeing her connect with anyone else. When they meet Irene’s friends, Soames tries to order champagne, but they all want absinthe, which he detests. At the ballet, he’s disturbed by the dancers’ revealing costumes and imagines Irene on stage in a similar state, effectively crushing any hopes she has of pursuing dance. Afterwards, Irene excitedly talks about her dream of performing, but Soames abruptly announces they need to return to England so he can discuss a new business venture with his father. Seriously, Soames! It’s clear he’s going to trap Irene in England, and it’s all incredibly frustrating.

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2026-04-13 05:59