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“I’m not the other woman, she is”: Gentleman Jack Season 2 Episode 4 Recap

Get yourself caught up on Season 2 recaps here: Ep 1, Ep 2 & Ep 3

Episode 4 jumps right back in where we left off at episode 3. It’s essentially a stand off between Anne and Mariana, both bruised and battered by their love for each other. “I waited for you for nearly 20 years! Did you really think I wouldn’t move on?” implores Anne. Mariana affirms Anne’s need to move on, but how dare she do that with HER (Ann Walker.) Accusing Anne of chasing money and Ann of being unladylike, Mariana is obviously taking it all personally. Anne is the most worked up I have ever seen her, and is not about to let anyone, least Mariana, trash her wife or her marriage. Mariana tells her she’s fooling herself and, again, we see that hard stare in response.

Seemingly, the intensity and aggression between Anne and Mariana has calmed down, as they’re sitting down to dinner together and conversing politely. I picked my jaw back up after Mariana asked Anne how often she and Ann “connect.” Anne looks mystified by the line of questioning as Mariana continues to push for details on the relationship. Mariana pushes further and accuses Ms. Walker of being unable to keep the secret regarding Mariana’s real relation to Anne, while also calling her crazy in so many other words. Nice, Mariana — You don’t seem desperate at all. Anne ensures that Ann is perfectly mum, and wonderful, and that she’s hopeful the three of them can still become friends. Then Anne goes to bed on her own.

Ann is smirking around the table at Shibden with Ann’s family as they all play cards. I love how amused she is and happy to have a wholesome family situation to be part of. It’s certainly far from what she’s experienced up until now with her predatory and infantilizing family. 

The wives are writing letters to each other beside the fire, one at Mariana’s house and the other at Shibden, respectively. Anne’s jawline is something to behold. Whoops, got distracted again. Speaking of distractions, here comes Mariana knocking on the door and asking if a visitor would be welcome. Anne lets her in, which seems like a very risky move. Mariana is sobbing; she can’t sleep and she hates her life. “We’ll always be friends,” Anne assures Mariana, which is probably the opposite of what she wants to hear. And here we have the classic emotional manipulation move: Mariana threatens suicide. I want to feel sorry for her, I do. I’m a lesbian in 2022 not the 1800s — but we do know Anne offered this life to her before Ann Walker, and Mariana chose otherwise. She made her bed. 

These two are way too close in conversation right now. That lingering intimate knowledge overshadows the conversation, as Mariana sits on the bed and Anne kneels on the floor in front of her. Their faces are inches apart when Mariana asks Anne if she still loves her. Anne says nothing, all the while gazing at Mariana with her hands wrapped around and petting Anne’s face. I am not okay, this is too much. Mariana goes in for a kiss and Anne pulls back and turns away from the attempt. Mariana tries again pleading, “kiss me, kiss me.” Anne is angered now, jumping up and saying she won’t do that to her Adney. Ann trusts her and she married her, taking an oath that she doesn’t intend to break. 

Mariana is not letting this go. The begging is incessant and the claims that Ann isn’t really what Anne wants don’t cease. Anne reaffirms her convictions, “I’m happy with my choice. She touches something deep inside me. And the biggest thing of all: she’s moved in with me. She committed to me. She braved the world’s opinion just to be with me! And I shall respect that above all things, until the day I die.” Finally, Mariana stops and leaves the room. 

Sweet Ann is climbing into bed alone back at Shibden, looking at the empty pillow beside her and, no doubt, wondering what’s happening with Anne and Mariana. Cut back to Mariana’s house and Anne is awake, sitting at her desk and looking into the fire while processing the evening’s events.

I’m half surprised to see Anne waking up alone in her room at Mariana’s and that she wasn’t accosted in the middle of the night. A whole day is opened up to fresh antics, so we shall see if Mariana is backing down or not. Wait a minute, Anne questions why Mariana didn’t come wake her up this morning as they sit eating breakfast. What the hell, Anne? I’m as confused as Mariana is by this question. Anne wants them to remain, “kind, close friends.” But as Mariana adds, “Just not that close.” 

Walking the grounds, Mariana and Anne seem to have settled into their familiar friendship. Their love for each other reigns and the awkwardness of their new dynamic is becoming more comfortable. Mariana’s new acceptance is confirmed. “Listen, I know it doesn’t always sound like it,” Mariana begins, “but in my more equitable moments – if it really is what you want, if she really does make you feel settled and content — well, then, how could I be anything other than thankful for it? There are so few things in this world more important to me than your happiness. I’ve been unable to make you happy, should I not rejoice then that there’s one who can?” And in that sentiment my heart has softened for Mariana. She tells Anne that if she were to visit Shibden, it would all be well and fine during the day but she couldn’t bear to see Ann go off to bed with Anne at night. To which Anne acknowledges, “Well, we are where we are.”

Mariana just hopes, “you don’t forget the nights we spent together.” “I’m not likely to,” Anne admits with a coy glance while she bites her lip. Be right back, I’m going to masterbate. But in all seriousness, this is the most lesbian steretype moment yet in this entire series. The lesbian exes hashing it out, processing, still being best friends, and moving on but holding each other in the most tender regard. This stereotype spells trouble.

Oh wait, I spoke too soon. Mariana said something that triggered Anne and now they’re fighting. Lesbian ex girlfriend mode is fully engaged now, let’s GO. An old emotional scab has been picked and Anne’s shouting, referring to her Ann, “I never once got the impression that she was embarrassed by the way I look. No, not to what I wear, but my manner, the way I walk, everything. I’ve never once heard her say, Oh why can’t you be more ladylike?” Mariana is full of her excuses, per usual. It all comes back to this: Mariana always doubted Anne and was never willing to make sacrifices for them to be together. This is why I’m Team Ann. She bit the bullet and Mariana never could and still defends it. Ann matched Anne and deserves her spot as Anne’s wife because of this. 

I commiserate with Anne on this, more than Mariana. Yes, Mariana married her parent’s choice of husband out of coercion. She took the financial stability offering and the socially acceptable option. But Anne was always right there, asking Mariana to run away with her and begging Mariana for a life together. Anne would have always found a way to take care of Mariana, even in the gap years until she inherited Shibden, but Mariana refused to take the leap for love. I came out around 14 years ago, and it was terrible. My family let me down and I went through a lot of turmoil and trauma because of that, but I never once turned back. I never once went for the easier route. Anne gets all the credit in the world for that choice, she’s never once stood down and she’s never once taken the easier route. She has always been, firmly, herself and she’s forced the world to accommodate her. 

Mr. Ingham (I don’t know who this dude is either) pays a visit to Shibden. It’s Ann’s first visitor at Shibden. Initially awkward, as everyone is becoming accustomed to the new living arrangement, it becomes quickly clear that Ann is doing so well and feeling so healthy and invigorated by her new life. This guy tries to call Anne eccentric (he’s never met her but he’s heard,) and Ann is quick to correct that she’s never found Anne to be anything but clever. Oh okay, I see why he’s here now. “People keep telling me I ought to get married and your name was mentioned,” he says. There it is. This must be the next guy Ann’s family had in mind for her. Upon further reveal, it was indeed her cousin who made the suggestion. Ann immediately says no. It’s told to her that her cousin relayed to Mr. Ingham that she really didn’t know what she had gotten herself into with Ms. Lister. “I’m really very happy here and my cousin, Mr. Priestley, needs to understand that.” Ann is really over their shit. 

Ann’s letter arrives to Anne at Mariana’s and, in an interesting turn, Anne and Mariana read it together. Mariana’s face doesn’t hide the fact that she finds the note to be absolutely mundane. Anne, on the other hand, is delighted such as a woman in love is by their object of affection’s every move and thought. Mariana says that Ann writes to Anne like a dutiful school girl, and Anne recounts to Mariana the moments of livelihood she’s seen shine through in Ann as she heals. No one can convince Anne that Ann isn’t coming into her power and a force to be reckoned with, in her own way, and I love that about Anne. Say what you will about this couple’s staying power, but I believe wholeheartedly in the wives and their true devotion. 

At Shibden, Marian wonders why Anne would leave Ann with them to go visit Mariana. She finds it odd. “I’ve never liked Mrs. Lawton. She’s used Anne so much over the years and Ms. Walker’s so devoted to her and I just…” Marian trails off in dismay. Auntie replies in agreeance, and also that she hopes Ms. Walker is enough for Anne.

Anne is absolutely owning the conversation during a dinner party and Mariana is looking at her like a dog in heat. Did the switch inside her flip again? Will she start begging for Anne to bang her before the night is over? They’re heading upstairs to retire, after dinner, and Mariana asks Anne if she can come into her room for, “just a minute.” Hmm. Even Anne looks skeptical about where this is going. 

Mariana is laying on the flattery, albeit true in regards to Anne’s character and charisma. It turns out Mariana has actually come to Anne’s room to tell her that her husband has been pestering his 18 year old niece — in the disgusting sex pest way. Apparently this poor girl has no father or brother left to protect her, so sick Charles can do what he likes and no one stops him. Charles wants to move the girl in. I really was not expecting Anne to be more concerned about Mariana in this situation than the poor child, but she tells Mariana to come to her at Shibden if need be, all while they embrace. 

Mariana takes this opportunity, while Anne is weak with concern for her, and goes in for a kiss. This time Anne lets her and reciprocates. And now they’re making out. Anne comes to her senses for a moment, pulling back and saying, “I can’t.” Mariana won’t take no for an answer, whimpering, “Why not? Why not? Can we not have one more kiss in this life before we all turn to dust?” That’s all it takes, Anne is convinced and they’re in bed. Damn it, Anne. At least we get a scene of Anne topping, I guess. The instant regret shows in Anne’s face as they climax. This is going to haunt her, as it should. Cheating wives suck.

The irony rings so loud it could break your eardrums, as we watch Anne attending church with Mariana. The whole time the expression on her face shouts, “I fucked up.” Anne has shocked herself into silence, a rarity for her. She’s speechless in the carriage back to Mariana’s. Mockingly, Mariana tosses out a, “I don’t know why you’re being so hard on yourself, Fred. Nothing’s changed. And I haven’t slept so well for months!” The devious smile accompanying that last line is the kicker. Anne lets Mariana know that she reads all of her incoming letters to Ann, so she should be careful what she writes. “I’m not the other woman,” Mariana declares, “she is.” Mariana never had a single notion to give up Anne. It was a ploy to get what she wanted, and she did. 

Anne’s arrived home to Shibden and Ann rushes to her, she’s stayed up late waiting. Anne holds her tight saying, “I shan’t leave you again.” Ooof. 

Naked Ann is undressing Anne and all I can think about is what’s going through Anne’s head right now. That might just be because I’m also a wife who’s been cheated on and I want to understand how they share intimacy, physical or otherwise, with another woman and then come home to their wife as if nothing happened.

I want to adore the most honest representation of a true lesbian love scene (mutual adoration and awe) we have seen yet of Anne and Ann, but it’s marred. Ann is finally, sexually, matured into an equal match for Anne and, yet, this is the timing of her unfaithfulness. Make it make sense.

Waking up in the morning, after making love to her wife, Anne admires Ann sleeping beside her. She sits up, attempting to exhale the weight of her transgression. She has little time to ruminate, as she’s hurried back to town specifically to make the canal shareholders meeting. Anne shines here, speaking up in support of the course she sees necessary which emboldens the majority of the men to vote that course. Although she’s thanked for her voice by some, she holds that there will be much talk of her attending and speaking but, exact quote here, “I don’t give a shit.” I guess I’m pondering if you actually give a shit about anything at this point, Anne. I want to love your usual spunk here, but you’ve actually given us a reason to hate you. Maybe, this time, your behavior is more atypical shitty male than respectable dyke and that’s what stings. I said it.  

The meeting ends and she’s followed out by an antagonistic guy. “An exciting choice, to brave public opinion attending a meeting like this at such a volatile time. With the country on the brink of civil unrest, no doubt, come the election and you with your unusual arrangement up at Shibden Hall with Ms. Walker,” he says. “Beg your pardon?” Anne retorts. “You should be more careful,” he replies as he opens the door, ushering her out, capped with a, “Gentleman Jack.” As confident as Anne is, you can tell this insult still stings. Maybe it’s her own remorse that stings more.

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