Mary Tackles High Society in ‘The Other Bennet Sister’
"We do not run and hide from the Caroline Bingleys of this world – we stand our ground.”
Just as we were expecting Mary to resume her role as Mrs. Bennet’s punching bag and minion, Episode 5 of The Other Bennet Sister takes a different turn. Mary has decided to stay in London for a while longer, and this may have something to do with meeting the dashing Mr. Ryder. She pens a letter to her mother that she won’t join the family at Pemberley just yet, because even though the Gardiners’ governess has returned, they want Mary to stay. The family has also received an invitation to Lady Winspear’s ball, a step up the social ladder for Mary, and her new friend, Mr. Hayward’s fiancée, Ann Baxter (Varada Sethu), who intends for Mary to shine at the event.
Mary is reminded of Charlotte Lucas’s declaration that women must choose between misery and matrimony (the third, unspoken possibility is that marriage itself will produce misery). She tells Ann that her mother told her no man would marry a woman who wore spectacles, and Ann is shocked. It becomes her mission to make Mary the star of London society, and a lengthy makeover session begins. “Have you ever polished your skin?” Ann asks.
The skin-polishing treatment involves melted wax and onion as a face mask. Mr. Gardiner comments that Mary has stew on her face. Next, Ann coaches Mary on deportment and shares her expertise in ballroom etiquette.
