Ep 6. A brief, but patient illness

Emily Dickinson is a series that chronicles the life of the famous American poet Emily Dickinson. The show is set in the 19th century and follows the young Emily as she navigates the competing pressures of family, society, and her own creative impulses.

Season 1 episode 6 is titled "A brief, but patient illness." The episode begins with Emily's mother, Emily Norcross, falling ill with pneumonia. Emily and her father, Edward Dickinson, are extremely worried about her, and Emily feels especially guilty for neglecting her mother's health in favor of her own writing pursuits.

As Emily's mother's condition worsens, Emily becomes increasingly anxious and afraid. She spends long hours at her mother's bedside, watching as her mother struggles to breathe and trying to comfort her in any way she can. At the same time, she also struggles with her own conflicted feelings towards her mother. She loves her deeply, but also resents her for standing in the way of her creative ambitions.

Meanwhile, other characters in the show are dealing with their own personal turmoil. Emily's brother, Austin, is having an affair with their father's employee, Mabel. Emily's best friend and neighbor, Sue, is struggling to come to terms with her feelings for Emily and her own unhappy marriage.

Despite the sadness and tension that pervade the episode, there are also moments of humor and levity. Emily's sister, Lavinia, is especially charming and provides some much-needed comic relief. There are also several scenes in which Emily and Sue share their trademark witty banter and sparkling chemistry.

In the end, "A brief, but patient illness" proves to be a moving and insightful exploration of family, love, and loss. The episode is a testament to the show's ability to handle weighty themes with sensitivity and nuance, and it further deepens our understanding of the complex, fascinating figure at the center of the series.