Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×03 “Origins” Spoilers Ahead
It’s hard to believe, but we have reached the halfway point of Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 4. Last we left off, Eliza learned that William had been shot, and there was uncertainty he would make it. Therefore, it only feels right that “Origins” takes us back to the beginning of when Eliza and William met. Needless to say, a murder is involved. A young William witnesses the crime, leading him on a pathway toward a kind-hearted Detective Inspector Henry Scarlett and his recently returned home and nonconforming daughter, Eliza.
Much of Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×03 “Origins” follows the young Eliza (Laura Marcus) and William (Matt Olsen) as they solve their first murder. Shout out to these young actors because they nailed the physical and verbal mannerisms of Kate Phillips and Stuart Martin impeccably. It’s clear they made a real effort to portray their characters as closely as possible. Despite being a flashback storyline, the exploration of the characters’ past helps viewers realize the decisions and actions behind present-day Eliza and William.
William’s backstory in Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×03 “Origins” establishes the roots of his personality. Like present-day William, his younger self is rough around the edges, a little hot-headed, and living on the streets of London. After arriving from Glasgow and failing to find a job, he resorts to theft to survive. However, one thing that strikes me is that William’s tough demeanor and short temper are not a result of his personality but rather a protective mechanism to endure his situation. As we see, he is willing to work, as evidenced by the fact that he is actively searching for a job, even voluntarily claiming he’ll labor for free just to demonstrate what a hard worker he is.
However, even though the world tries to go against him, William endeavors to do the right thing. Although he initially lies about how he came across the murder victim, he still feels compelled to report the murder of a stranger under the belief that there is a risk of detectives blaming him for the crime. Eventually, we see that hardness melt away as Mr. Scarlet shows him kindness and goodwill. Here, he has a positive role model, displaying that it is okay for a man to show empathy to others and to help them with no expectation of anything in return. And I’d like to think that this reflects the man William has shaped to be — he can be a grump, but he has an authentic soft side to him that wants to help others. The best instance can be seen through his relationship with Fitzroy, with whom he has invested more patience and guidance than his own father. In a way, the relationship between Willliam and the young detective mirrors William’s relationship with Eliza’s father.
And then there’s Eliza. Obviously, we know of her frustrations about being a female private detective, especially in Victorian times. Her fascination with solving crimes and detective work is apparent — and she’s manipulating and scheming, as always. (“A temporary departure from the truth,” as she puts it.) But you can also see how lonely and alienating it must be for Eliza. She knows she’s different from most women; she yearns for something other females in her circle cannot comprehend. When asked about her hobbies by Mrs. Parker, Eliza lights up as she begins sharing about her father’s books and what she has learned.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Parker continues to dismiss her and tells her to keep quiet. We also see her struggle at home — though it’s not that her father doubts her abilities or her intelligence, but he is acutely aware that society will not share the enthusiasm that Eliza displays. He is a father trying to ensure a life for his daughter with as little struggle as possible. Eliza’s stubbornness and scheming stem from her efforts to pursue her interests in the limited ways she can, which have carried on into her adult life.
Furthermore, Eliza’s reaction to William announcing that he is interested in joining the police force reinforces her determination and drive to succeed in her professional life in the present day. Eliza was able to successfully identify and provide a motive for the murder that William witnessed, which ultimately led to an arrest. She is swelling with pride and appears hopeful that her father will finally take her wishes seriously, but she is gently let down. Meanwhile, after brief exposure to police work, William informs Eliza that her father, the person whose validation she seeks the most, has recommended William. Imagine the hurt and confusion that must be swirling around sixteen-year-old Eliza’s head after kissing the guy she learned will be taking the place of where she yearns to be. And to add to that, she’s been close by throughout the years as William rose in rank.
Eliza and William’s first encounter is also familiar to the usual bickering we have seen them exchange. They are quick to size each other up and dish it out. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that they work better together. William has always been there for Eliza, even if he is somewhat reluctant or uncomfortable. And Eliza knows that she needs William. That is why she was able to convince him to attend the party together, and he agreed. And that’s why she continues to turn to him when she needs help and why he will put everything aside to help her.
One of my favorite moments throughout the episode are the brief scenes of Eliza visiting William at the hospital. There are shots with Eliza’s mother’s wedding ring. Aside from the obvious foreshadowing (which the show does an excellent job of), I am reminded of the many moments when Eliza touches her mother’s ring, usually in moments when Eliza feels vulnerable or reflecting on her parents. William is her family, and at that moment, she is helpless because she doesn’t know what she will do without William in her life. Another thing to note is that Eliza has been there by his side for a number of days. As viewers, it can be easy to get frustrated with Eliza during moments between her and William as she appears to choose work over their relationship. But in that hospital, we see that there is something more critical to Eliza than her work. We’ve seen her do her utmost to be hired for a case, but none of that matters when William is in the hospital. She is deliberately choosing to spend her time with him and to be there for him. Not to mention, she’s pretty ecstatic when he finally wakes up. (A worthy performance from Kate Phillips, who ensures that Eliza’s joy is deeply transcendent at that moment.)
Related Content: Why Miss Scarlet and The Duke‘s Flashback Episode Matters in Storytelling
Needless to say, it’s easy to enjoy Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×03 “Origins.” It is always a treat to have those Eliza and William-centric episodes when they get to interact, allowing viewers a chance to dive into their relationship.
Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×03 “Origins?” Let us know in the comments below.