Ep 3. The Two Gentlemen

In the third episode of Will's first season, titled "The Two Gentlemen," the story picks up as Will is struggling to get a hold of his new life in London. He continues to deal with the uncertainties of his newfound career and the big-city chaos around him. Meanwhile, he meets some new characters who become both a significant hindrance and a potential help to him in different ways.

The episode opens with Will trying to get his bearings in London, and he does so with the help of two new friends, Topcliffe and Presto. When Topcliffe finds out that Will is a playwright, he insists on getting a first look at his new material. Reminding him of his lower social status, Topcliffe becomes a formidable figure in Will's life that he must now reckon with.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with Presto, Will is introduced to Alice, a curious and adventurous woman who draws him in immediately. Their passionate exchange is interrupted when Alice's friend, Rosaline, bursts in and accuses Will of stealing from her. Will insists on his innocence, but Rosaline is not convinced and threatens to expose him as a fraud. In the fallout that follows, Will fumes as he wonders whom he can trust in this precarious new world.

As Will struggles to maintain his footing in the treacherous world of Elizabethan England, he spends time with several other new acquaintances who provide different perspectives on life in London. Among them are Greene, an established playwright who is envious of Will's talent, and Marlowe, an established playwright who wants to give back to the artistic community.

Throughout the episode, Will's struggle to maintain his integrity is heightened by his encounter with Topcliffe. Topcliffe shows up in unexpected places, saying he has insider knowledge that can help Will but also suggesting he can ruin him in a heartbeat if he so chooses.

The tension between Will and Rosaline intensifies, particularly when she accuses him of perpetrating a blasphemy designed to insult Marlowe. After a confrontation in the street, Will realizes that he is in grave danger. He must make a decision about whom to trust and how to survive in the shadow world of Elizabethan England.

Meanwhile, the plot thickens between Alice and Rosaline, as the two seem to have their own dramas allegorized in a play they are rehearsing. Will watches in wonder as they each perform with passion and precision, wondering how they maintain their composure in the midst of their own turmoil. As the episode ends, Will is left wondering what his future will hold, and how he will navigate the uncertain waters of London and its ever-changing political landscape.

Overall, "The Two Gentlemen" is a compelling episode of Will, with strong performances and an intriguing storyline that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. The relationship between Will, Topcliffe, and Rosaline provides a tense backdrop to the episode's events, while the dynamics between Alice, Rosaline, and Marlowe reveal their distinct personalities. As the story unfolds, we are left to wonder how Will will manage his newfound success and navigate the treacherous world of Elizabethan England.