House of Guinness Recap: Into the West

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The last episode of *House of Guinness* left viewers with a sense of foreboding when Edward told Arthur, who was working hard for the company, that they needed to discuss the situation in New York. This episode immediately reveals the impact of those events. Ellen is woken with alarming news: the police have arrested Patrick and other members of the Brotherhood, alerted by a worried young man who witnessed their activities. The trouble doesn’t end there. As the family’s lawyer, Mr. Isaac Butt QC, arrives for a meeting, a blind street vendor delivers a threatening message – a bullet with the family’s name on it. They quickly realize this is likely connected to the events in New York. Why the sudden escalation? The Fenian Brotherhood has been very active in the United States and is beginning to gain ground in Canada. The Guinness family needs to get in touch with them to understand what’s happening.

Issac first suggests Rafferty contact the Fenians, but he’s nowhere to be found. The scene then cuts to Rafferty and Olivia happily together, followed by a comical moment the next morning where Olivia insists he leave through a secret exit – which ends with him landing in the bushes. Luckily, the Guinnesses have another inside contact, Ellen, who urgently sends Edward a message about her brother’s arrest.

Could Edward be the one to offer assistance? Ellen’s visit with Patrick makes it clear he’s struggling and deeply upset, especially because he’s discovered Ellen’s affair with Edward – information he received through Fenian informants. Arthur is also unhappy about Edward and Ellen being together. However, their argument leads Arthur to recognize a surprising similarity between himself and Edward – both are prone to acting on desire, sometimes with consequences. Arthur proposes a solution: he’ll marry the hesitant Adelaide and try to move past all the drama.

I’m really invested in this story! Arthur goes to see Adelaide, pretending it’s just a friendly visit to chat about her house plans. But he quickly gets to the point – he’s determined to get her to marry Edward. Then things get interesting! Arthur goes to the brewery and runs into Patrick, who’s incredibly supportive about his recent promotion and even *kisses* him. It totally throws Arthur for a loop, and you can tell he’s left wondering if maybe, just maybe, Patrick is right about people’s reactions. It’s clear both the kiss and the possibility of acceptance are swirling around in his head as he goes about his day.

Arthur isn’t the only one from the Guinness family trying to convince Adelaide about Edward. When visiting Anne, who is still recovering after having a baby, Adelaide learns that Anne plans to travel with Edward to Ashford Castle. They’ll be researching rural poverty, and, according to Anne, falling in love. Adelaide is very doubtful, but Anne seems genuine – and she’d like someone to keep her company while she cares for the baby. However, Adelaide is also worried because Anne has started using laudanum instead of sherry.

Despite his feelings for Adelaide, Edward organizes a very public lunch with Ellen, as he’s working on a scheme he believes will benefit everyone involved. Here’s the idea: Britain needs American assistance to prevent Irish Fenians from causing trouble in Canada, while the Americans want to improve relations with Irish-Americans. Edward’s plan involves Britain releasing Fenian prisoners – including Patrick – who can then use funds from Guinness to support the Fenian cause, with Ellen’s help in arranging the financial transfers. Ellen feels used by the powerful, Protestant establishment she’s fighting against, but she reluctantly agrees to participate, as the alternative – leaving Patrick in prison – is even worse.

After two months – long enough to grow a substantial beard – Patrick arrived in New York, understandably filled with anger and resentment. While Byron greeted him like a hero at a local Irish bar, it didn’t improve Patrick’s mood. In fact, Byron’s excitement about Guinness – both the beer and the family who owned the brewery – irritated him. Byron playfully told Patrick he was “soaked in Irish gloom” just before Patrick angrily confronted him, pinning him against the wall. Byron, however, saw things differently, explaining that Guinness was offering a substantial payment that Patrick could redirect to support the cause he cared so deeply about. And, dropping his usual cheerful attitude, Byron pointed out that Patrick didn’t truly have a choice in the matter.

When Adelaide arrives at Ashford Castle, she isn’t entirely shocked to see Potter waiting for her. She figures he’s part of the effort to get her together with Edward. What really surprises her is that the castle has ice, which is a rare treat in this part of Ireland. In fact, almost everything at the castle feels like a luxury, considering the nearby village of Cloonboo lacks even basic necessities like running water and enough food. While Edward’s team gets a grand meal ready, Adelaide decides to go and see the village for herself.

Guided by Sultan, Adelaide witnesses the harsh realities of life in this region, a hardship we’ve already seen throughout the series. When Edward appears, she doesn’t hesitate to express her frustration, and he listens – though it seems he’s motivated more by wanting to impress her. To that end, he orders his men to bring supplies like food, blankets, and, predictably, ice. He then takes charge of digging a grave himself.

Okay, so things get *really* interesting when Adelaide shows up. He basically spills everything about his affair with Ellen. He admits he’s not exactly proud of it, but it’s like it shook him awake, you know? Turns out, he’s not the cold, distant guy everyone thought. He even announces he wants to help the village, speaking in Irish no less! Though, one kid hilariously tells him where to shove it – *also* in Irish! It’s a start, I guess. He definitely seems to be trying to turn things around, but Adelaide, like the whole village, isn’t buying it yet. He’s got to *show* he’s changed. The episode ends with them sharing a really simple meal – potatoes with eel gravy – and honestly, it feels like a small step forward. It’s a quiet moment, but it suggests he might actually be making progress with Adelaide.

Arthur appears to be finding happiness and asks Patrick to a dance, hoping they can openly express their feelings for each other. Patrick gladly accepts. However, it’s quickly revealed that Patrick is secretly working for Reverend Grattan! Grattan plans to have the dance raided, but has arranged for Patrick to escape unharmed. Is Patrick simply a traitor, or is there more to the story? It seems he’s also being forced to cooperate through blackmail by the angry Reverend. This adds a new layer of deception and manipulation to the unfolding events.

We still know very little about Rafferty, even after watching several episodes. It’s unclear if he’s simply using the Guinness family, or if he has genuine feelings for Olivia – is their connection just a business arrangement? He seems willing to play along with Olivia’s whims, but is he secretly bothered by it, or does he enjoy the game? He could be experiencing the same emotions as Ellen, but we don’t know for sure. Right now, his inner life feels unexplored, though it’s likely these feelings will become important later. (The show clearly cast James Norton because he’s good at playing complex characters.) Even with limited screen time in this episode, Rafferty reinforces the feeling that *House of Guinness* prioritizes superficial drama over substance. (Think of it like a beer with more foam than actual beer.) That’s not necessarily a bad thing – who doesn’t enjoy a bit of lightheartedness? However, when the characters encounter serious historical events or important social issues, the series doesn’t always seem ready to address them in a meaningful way.

Sláinte!

Isaac Butt is remembered more for his work defending Fenians and advocating for Irish Home Rule than for any legal services he may have provided to the Guinness family. He was a significant historical figure primarily known for his political activism.

Laudanum was a potent and addictive mixture of opium and alcohol widely used in the 1800s. Because it wasn’t something people took lightly, Anne’s use of it hints she may be struggling with serious problems.

Ashford Castle is a historic castle in Ireland, with origins stretching back to the 1200s. It has been renovated many times over the centuries, notably in the mid-1800s by Benjamin Guinness (an ancestor of the family featured in the first episode). Since 1939, it has operated as a luxury hotel – a stay doesn’t come cheap! The castle has welcomed numerous famous guests and has been featured in films and TV shows, including the classic movie *The Quiet Man*.

As a longtime cinema and music fan, I’ve come across some powerful songs, and “Come Out Ye Black ’n’ Tans” – especially Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones’ version – is definitely one of them. It’s a really direct and fiery song about the Royal Irish Constabulary, the police force known for its harsh tactics during the Irish War of Independence. The songwriter, Dominic Behan, was actually the brother of the famous playwright Brendan Behan, which adds another layer of interest to it all.

This episode features music from several artists, including returning favorites Lankum with “The Granite Gaze,” The Scratch with “Cheeky Bastard,” and Fontaines D.C. with “Death Kink.” Making their debut on the show is Yard, a Dublin-based “eletropunk” trio, with their song “Lawmaker” featured in the final scene.

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2025-09-26 13:56