Opener
Nicholas can’t get work anywhere, though he’s a good worker.  He’s known as a union leader by all the masters.  Margaret tells her father that things could work out if Nicholas and Thorton could talk “man to man.”

Mrs. Thornton has a talk with Margaret

Two strong ladies go at it!  Mrs. Thornton comes to warn Margaret about her behavior, saying that “many a young lady has lost her character” by being out late at night with a man.  Margaret cuts her off, saying that she’s not going to just sit there and take such insults.

Thornton talks with Mr. Lattimer, the banker

I don’t think anyone ever accused me of being careless!

Here we see our man very worried and on edge- he snaps at Mr. Lattimer for no good reason, then asks forgiveness.  When Lattimer mentions “speculation,” Thornton gets very stiff and serious.  (Remember that his father killed himself after he “speculated wildly.”)

Nicholas meets with Thornton 

I’m a steady man.  I work hard.

With his cap in hand, Nicholas comes to ask for work at Marlboro Mills.  Thornton turns him away.  Nicholas says he was sent “by a woman who thought” Thornton “had a kindness” about him.  This piques Thornton’s curiosity.

The Thorntons at home

Fanny is riding high now that she’s engaged to Watson, another of the Milton mill owners.  She cut down Margaret again, calling her “so severe.”  When she mentions speculation, John tells her angrily that “there is nothing certain about speculation!”  (The emotion in Armitage’s voice is so strong and powerful!)  The little joke (about Fanny’s spending) and smile at the end of the scene is just wonderful, too.

Thornton comes to the Higgins home

Thornton sees the little children (of Boucher) playing and reading.  Thornton admits that he could not have taken on “a man such as Boucher’s children.”  He asks Higgins’ forgiveness, offers him work, and they shake on it.

Thornton, Tommy, and Higgins in the mill yard

Tommy is learning how to read when Thornton comes over (helps with pronouncing “animal”).  Both men have been working late.  Thornton and Higgins discuss the importance on having a good meal for both working and studying (thinking of Tommy).  Higgins has an idea that might work.  The two men have a grudging respect for each other. 

Aftermath of Mr. Hale’s death

Look back.  Look back at me. 

Mr. Hale dies (peacefully) while on a reunion trip to Oxford.  Aunt Shaw comes to take Margaret home (her house in London).  Margaret apologizes to Mrs. Thornton for her previous behavior.  She gives her father’s copy to Plato to Mr. Thornton and politely wishes him well.  Her eyes are sad, as are his.  Then we have the great “look back” moment as Thornton watches the coach drive away in the snow.  He feels a great loss, knowing that she will never come back to Milton.

Visit to Helstone

After three months in London, Margaret is still wearing black (color of mournng), which worries cousin Edith.  Mr. Bell takes her for a visit to Helstone, but things are different from when she was a girl.  Margaret thinks back to her time in Milton, and tells Mr. Bell about the drama at the train station and its aftermath.  She feels bad because Mr. Thornton knows she lied.  Is that all?  Her godfather wonders.

Mr. Bell settles his affairs

Mr. Bell signs off most of his fortune to Margaret before sailing for South America to live out the last of his days (he’s ill).  Margaret is “landlord in name only” of Marlboro Mills.  When he tries to explain more to Thornton, the younger man cuts him off.  Thornton is too busy with his financial problems to deal with anything else.  We see him even sleeping in his office.

The Ending

We learn that Marlboro Mills has gone under.  Thornton feels the loss keenly, of course.  His mind goes back to Margaret- they met in the mill.  Higgins “got up a petition” of men that would be willing to work again for Thornton.  Then we have the big reveal about Margaret’s brother- finally!  See the relief and happiness on Thornton’s face?

This mini-series has one of the best pay-offs, in my opinion.  Margaret and John finally connect and share one of the best (effective) onscreen kisses you’ll ever see!  (Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of TV shows and movies.)  These characters have grown and changed over the course of the four episodes (about 2 years).  Each episode reveals more about their personalities, feelings, values.  Margaret gets on the train with Thornton to return to Milton, which will truly be her home.

Hats off to Richard Armitage for bringing Mr. Thornton to life!  It’s a great and nuanced performance (for all you newbie fans).  It’s not just about being brooding, smoldering, or whatnot- it’s about the subtlety of his acting.  Even in today’s (modern/liberal-minded) world, it’s rare to see a leading man who can also be vulnerable (another fine example: Mad Men star Jon Hamm).  Thanks for reading! 

Today is the final day of Richard Armitage week on the web.  Let’s go over key scenes in Episode 3 of North & South again. 

Opener

Mr. Thornton walks out of the Hale’s house and stops at the the end of the street, like he’s unsure of where to go next.  (Awww!)  He passes Mr. Bell, but is distracted by his strong emotions, and doesn’t return his greeting.

Another mother-son talk

No one loves me or cares for me except you, Mother.

John has a drink before he enters the parlor, then he says to his mother that she was right re: Miss Hale’s lack of feelings for him.  But he thinks he loves her more than ever.  (Wow, another great moment where we glimpse Thornton’s vulnerability!)  Mrs. Thornton shoots back that she hates Margaret (for how she rejected her son).  They decided to never talk of her again.   

Higgins vs. Boucher

They have a bad argument.  We see that Boucher is more desperate than ever, though he’s the one who started the violence (by throwing the rock that hit Margaret).  Nicholas hasn’t returned to work, unlike most of the other millworkers, staying true to his committee. 

Mr. Bell’s observations

Hah, at least one guy senses that something may be going on between Margaret and Thornton!  When he meets them on the street, he jokes around with them, though they are clearly uncomfortable.  Thornton and Margaret don’t even look at each other.  Thornton looks mad, but he keeps his gentlemanly demeanor (also in front of the Lattimers). 

A father-daughter talk

Margaret and Mr. Hale discuss Frederick and his (precarious) situation should he visit home.  However, Margaret has sent a letter (few days back) and it can’t be taken back.  The navy “spares no expense” in bringing mutineers to justice, Mr. Hale says.  His voice is full of sadness and concern.  

Bessie’s death

Mary is in tears when Margaret comes to talk with Bessie, but she is already dead.  Nicholas finally breaks down upon seeing his daughter’s dead body.  Later on, Margret brings her father to try to console Nicholas.  He rails against God and the way of the world- some are born to be masters and others “live a half-life in the shadows” (a very powerful bit of acting from Brendan Coyle).  Mr. Hale wonders if Thornton and Higgins could discuss how to improve things (foreshadowing).

The Great Exhibition

He’s very interested in the world.  Really, I know him to be.

Margaret joins Aunt Shaw, Edith, Captain and Henry Lennox at the Great Exhibition in London.  She sees Thornton giving a speech to a group of gentlemen re: machinery, workers, and strikes.  They have a little argument, pointing out that they still don’t get each other, then the others catch up to them.  (Make sure to pay attention to the wary manner in which Henry and Thornton look at each other.  Thornton’s anger is barely concealed, simmering below the surface. Henry comes off as arrogant.)   

A mother-mother talk

Mrs. Hale lies in bed and talks (very seriously) with Mrs. Thornton.  She asks Mrs. Thornton to “be kind” to Margaret and give her guidance (if needed) once she is gone.  Mrs. Thornton admits that it is difficult for her to show affection. 

More misunderstandings

I’m sorry, I thought I’d still be welcome here… despite what has passed between us.

Mr. Thornton comes to return a book of Mr. Hale’s and give Mrs. Hale a basket of fruit.  Margaret stalls for time, as can’t let him in, because Frederick is inside.  He sees a man’s bag in the doorway and hears an unfamiliar laugh upstairs.  (Thornton thinks that Margaret has a suitor.)  Mary goes inside with some stuff, since she’s helping the family out.  Before Margaret can give an explanation, Thornton quickly strides away. 

At the train station

At night, in the train station, Thornton sees Margaret embracing a man.  (Of course, he doesn’t know it’s her older brother, or that she even has a brother.)  He is shocked- the scowl is pretty major (as Fred says).  A drunk Leonards confronts Fred and they have a brief fight. 

At Mrs. Hale’s funeral

Look how Thornton’s face transforms when Mr. Bell talks of Henry and his close connection to the Hales.  (Maybe he’s wondering if Henry was the man at the station?)  Then, a young police inspector comes over to talk to Thornton (who is also a majistrate) about an important matter.  We see Leornard’s dead body.    

Aftermath of Boucher’s death

Nicholas is in tears, feeling guilty.  Mr. Hale is very pale with shock.  So, Margaret goes to tell Mrs. Boucher that her husband is dead (killed himself).  We learn that Mrs. Boucher died a few days later, leaving behind their kids.

Aftermath of Leonards’ death

To protect Fred, Margaret keeps her cool, and lies to Inspector Mason when he comes (respectfully) to question her at the house.  “I was not there,” she calmly repeats.  However, Mason has a witness who identified her by name.  There could be an official inquest, he informs her.

When Mason recounts this to Thornton, he is (once again) shocked.  He thinks about the matter- conflicting emotions flow across Armitage’s face.  Later that same day, Mason goes to tell Margaret that there will be no inquest.  (Thornton handled the matter.)

End of Episode 3

I hope you realize that any foolish passion for you on my part is entirely over.  I’m looking to the future.

Margaret tries to thank Thornton when he comes to read with her father, but he cuts her off.  His words are angry, but from his eyes, you can see that he desperately wants to know what happened.  Alas, Margret can’t reveal another person’s secret.