Ep 5. Forbidden Fruit a Flavor Has

In Dickinson season 2 episode 5, titled "Forbidden Fruit a Flavor Has," Emily Dickinson is torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire for freedom and independence. The episode begins with Emily receiving an invitation to a social event at the home of the wealthy Bowles family. Her father, however, forbids her from attending, citing the family's reputation and his own sense of propriety. Despite her disappointment, Emily agrees to stay home and help with the family's apple harvest. As she works in the orchard, Emily daydreams about the social event and the possibility of meeting new people and exploring new ideas. Her reverie is interrupted, however, by the arrival of her sister Lavinia, who is upset over a recent argument with their mother. As the two sisters console each other, Emily finds herself questioning the traditional roles and expectations placed upon women in their society. Later that day, Emily's brother Austin arrives home unexpectedly. He confesses to Emily that he has fallen in love with his father's law clerk, Sue Gilbert, and wishes to marry her despite their age difference and the objections of their families. Emily supports her brother's decision to follow his heart, but warns him of the potential consequences of defying societal norms. As the day wears on, Emily becomes increasingly restless and decides to sneak away to the social event at the Bowles' home. She arrives to find a lively party in full swing, filled with people from all walks of life. Emily is immediately drawn to the host, the flamboyant and charismatic Samuel Bowles, and the two strike up a conversation about literature and poetry. As the night wears on, Emily becomes intoxicated by the heady mix of new experiences and exhilarating conversations. She is particularly intrigued by Bowles, who seems to offer a tantalizing glimpse of a more liberated and unconventional way of life. But as the night comes to a close, Emily is forced to confront the harsh realities of her situation. She realizes that, while she may dream of freedom and independence, she is still bound by the constraints of her society and her family's expectations. Forbidden Fruit a Flavor has serves as a powerful exploration of the tensions and contradictions that defined life for women in the 19th century. Through Emily's restless yearning for something more, the episode highlights the limitations and frustrations that women faced in a world that often denied them the opportunity to fully express themselves and explore their passions. But despite the constraints she faced, Emily remains a fierce and resilient character, driven by her desire to push against the boundaries of convention and find her own way in a world that often seemed determined to keep her down.