The muster has begun with the soldiers serving under the Duke of Wellington arriving in Brussels. But the focus of this episode is not so much on the war, but on the single-minded pursuit of Miss Becky Sharp to flirt and curry favor with the top brass of the English military.
The episode begins with Becky and Rawdon feeling the pangs of penury as they make a mad dash out of their rented apartment for which they are unable to pay the rent. The program highlights the similarities and differences in the relationships of Becky and Rawdon Sedley and Emmy and George Osborne. Both couples have been disinherited by their class-conscious elders. But with Becky, there is always a resourcefulness that is lacking in the characters of Emmy and George, who are used to having everything handed to them. Rawdon recognizes the social skills and ambition of Becky when he says, "In your spare time, Becs, can you also win us the war?"
It is announced that Napoleon is now marching on Brussels. A lavish ball is interrupted with the soldiers given their orders to prepare to confront "Boney." The time for romance must end, as the watchword now is: "For crown and country!"
Jos Sedly has returned from India, and the "loaf" vows to look after the womenfolk while the men are in battle. Emmy is justifiably upset with Becky for what she considers a betrayal. Both women know that George has recently shown great affection for Becky. Emmy is jealous, but Becky knows the truth: George has written that he wishes to elope with her.
The unsung hero of the episode is once again Dobbin, who has kept George Osborne in check during his wild mood swings. Emmy has never recognized that Dobbin simply adores her. Behind the scenes, Dobbin has even challenged George's father to a duel after the honor of Emmy was abused. By the midpoint in the series, it is clear that there are five highly individualized character portraits in Becky, Emmy, George, Rawdon, and Dobbin. With one exception, each character seems to be walking on eggshells! The lone exception is Miss Sharp.
The episode begins with Becky and Rawdon feeling the pangs of penury as they make a mad dash out of their rented apartment for which they are unable to pay the rent. The program highlights the similarities and differences in the relationships of Becky and Rawdon Sedley and Emmy and George Osborne. Both couples have been disinherited by their class-conscious elders. But with Becky, there is always a resourcefulness that is lacking in the characters of Emmy and George, who are used to having everything handed to them. Rawdon recognizes the social skills and ambition of Becky when he says, "In your spare time, Becs, can you also win us the war?"
It is announced that Napoleon is now marching on Brussels. A lavish ball is interrupted with the soldiers given their orders to prepare to confront "Boney." The time for romance must end, as the watchword now is: "For crown and country!"
Jos Sedly has returned from India, and the "loaf" vows to look after the womenfolk while the men are in battle. Emmy is justifiably upset with Becky for what she considers a betrayal. Both women know that George has recently shown great affection for Becky. Emmy is jealous, but Becky knows the truth: George has written that he wishes to elope with her.
The unsung hero of the episode is once again Dobbin, who has kept George Osborne in check during his wild mood swings. Emmy has never recognized that Dobbin simply adores her. Behind the scenes, Dobbin has even challenged George's father to a duel after the honor of Emmy was abused. By the midpoint in the series, it is clear that there are five highly individualized character portraits in Becky, Emmy, George, Rawdon, and Dobbin. With one exception, each character seems to be walking on eggshells! The lone exception is Miss Sharp.
