Ep 2. Episode 2

Set in rural England in the 1830s, The Mill follows the lives of the workers in a cotton mill owned by the young and wealthy Greg family. Episode 2 opens with the Greg family hosting a dinner party for several important investors, including Lady Katherine Clennam, who is interested in investing in the mill. John Doherty, the mill's overworked and underpaid physician, is tasked with attending to Lady Katherine's injured foot, but he becomes increasingly frustrated with the Gregs' classism and lack of concern for their workers' well-being.

Meanwhile, Esther Price, a young apprentice at the mill, struggles to keep up with the brutal pace of work demanded by her supervisor, the sadistic overseer Charlie Crout. Esther's friend and fellow apprentice Miriam returns to the mill after a brief absence, and Esther discovers that Miriam has secretly married one of the mill's workers, Will Whittaker. Their marriage is strictly forbidden by the mill's owners, as workers are not allowed to marry without the express permission of the Greg family.

Elsewhere, factory worker Daniel Bate struggles to keep his family afloat on his meager wages, and he is forced to sell his prized possession – a violin – in order to pay for his daughter's school fees. When Bate discovers that Will Whittaker has married without permission, he realizes that he has leverage over Whittaker and demands that he give him his violin back in exchange for his silence.

As tensions continue to rise at the mill, John Doherty becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Greg family and their lack of concern for their workers' health and safety. He confronts Robert Greg, the mill owner's son, about the dangerous conditions in the mill and the low wages paid to workers, but Greg brushes off his concerns and insists that the mill is operating effectively.

The episode culminates in a dramatic confrontation between Esther Price and Charlie Crout, as Esther confronts her abusive supervisor and demands fair treatment for herself and her fellow apprentices. Esther's bravery inspires the other apprentices to stand up for themselves, and they stage a brief rebellion against the cruel conditions at the mill.

Overall, Episode 2 of The Mill continues to explore the themes of classism, power, and exploitation that were introduced in the first episode. The episode does an excellent job of showcasing the different perspectives of the mill's workers and owners, and it portrays the complex and fraught relationships between these different groups. Throughout the episode, viewers are left wondering whether the workers will ever be able to gain a foothold against the powerful and wealthy mill owners, or whether they will be forced to live out their lives in grinding poverty and exploitation.