@genplant29 said:

Speaking of Endeavour, I wonder when its 7th season will air on PBS in the States. (It aired in the UK back in Feb.)

Schedule posted on TMDb here.

Thanks, wonder! So, starts in a bit over five weeks from now.

I see this'll be the shortest season yet.

Thanks, w2w. I've been wondering when we'd get Endeavour over here. It seems like ages...

Great pic of the Carter/Staunton family genplant! Thanks! And yes, Begum Samru was seated to the left of the Empress in that scene. Between "the look", the vaping, her husky voice, and notability for having an army to be reckoned with, she definitely pings the gaydar.

Tonight's Episode 4 was very good. We finally were provided with all the backstory.

I also enjoyed, and found interesting and appealing, the making-of featurette that followed the episode, that showed various of the India filming locations, talked with the powers-that-be behind the production and some of the cast members, etc. I always enjoy when any movie or series includes that type of extra.

@genplant29 said:

Tonight's Episode 4 was very good. We finally were provided with all the backstory.

BUT BUT BUT we didn't find out why Chandrika went to John's bedroom, or what transpired there. Or did I miss something?

Post with links to videoclips here.

w2w, are you saying the answer to my question is in one of those links, or are you referring to the "extra" feature at the end of the episode that genplant mentioned?

@merryapril said:

BUT BUT BUT we didn't find out why Chandrika went to John's bedroom, or what transpired there. Or did I miss something?

Very true: That part never lets us know how things go from the point Chandrika sits down on the side of the bed and states to John that he can't deny they've always felt an attraction to each other.

We then simply cut to whatever else.

What I found curious is that John providing the truthful explanation that he did actually "does the trick" with Margaret, as, nonetheless, Candrika secreted herself into John's room and told him he can't deny they've always been attracted to one another. John repeating that to everyone pretty much serves as (or at least it should) a confirmation to all that what C stated to him is accurate.

@wonder, great links! And that's neat how you preceded each; I ran that through Google Translate, and it translates to "House".

@merryapril said:

w2w, are you saying the answer to my question is in one of those links, or are you referring to the "extra" feature at the end of the episode that genplant mentioned?

The post is just a collection of links to videoclips on internet. Most of them are from my old notes and I posted them, so any one interested can have a comprehensible overview.

genplant, Chandrika actually said "there's no denying our connection - do you think you can leave our past behind with no feeling?". She didn't use the term "attraction". So while the scene seems to want to suggest a sexual connection, for some reason I have a suspicion it may be a red herring and won't turn out to be the case, and likely will be something more akin to their both missing his wife, being troubled by the constant threat to August, etc. I may be wrong and I guess we'll find out before long! The actress Pallavi Sharda is certainly stunning though, even prettier than the one who portrayed her sister, John's wife.

Thanks for pointing that out and clarifying what was said, merry! That makes sense.

Yes, both of those ladies are, indeed, lovely. Add in the colourful, exotic outfits, as well as beautiful makeup and hair, and the effect is decidedly striking!

I'll miss this series when it concludes. I really don't understand why it didn't sufficiently click with viewers in the UK to get good enough ratings to be renewed.

Now only two episodes remain.....

@merryapril said:

The actress Pallavi Sharda is certainly stunning though, even prettier than the one who portrayed her sister, John's wife.

Photos of the two sisters:

• Princess Chandrika

• Princess Kamlavati

The beautiful names have a meaning:

• Chandrika = Moonlight

• Kamlavati = Lotus Flower

Wow w2w, in the photos you provided I think John's wife may be a bit prettier, but they're both gorgeous women, no doubt about it! Thanks for translating the names. How beautiful.

The possibility's occurred to me that Chandrika could be duplicitous and in league with her uncle who would want to destroy his rival for the inheritance, little August, if he knew he was still alive. Maybe she grew up jealous of her sister, jealous that John fell in love with her. Anyway, if not that particular scenario, I think it's fair to presume someone in the household's going to tip off the uncle.

@merryapril said:

Wow w2w, in the photos you provided I think John's wife may be a bit prettier, but they're both gorgeous women, no doubt about it! Thanks for translating the names. How beautiful.

There are many more photos of both actresses, so it's difficult to judge.

John probably fell in love with Kamlavati, because she was the one who tended to his wound. She was sweet and caring, while Chandrika was more haughty and aloof.

Well, I'm guilty of MORE incorrect speculation -- Begum Samru and Gen. Castillion are an item! Even though he's probably mainly courting her because of her formidable army, she IS attractive and has a lusty (and apparently heterosexual!) aura.

And now we seem to know that Chandrika went to John's room with more on her mind than commiseration, although her subsequent declaration seemed more of a practicality, a duty to familial order. Having said that, I re-watched the flashback scene when we first saw her and Kamlavati unveiled, as John lay convalescing from his gunshot wound, and there was something (albeit subtle) about the way Chandrika looked at him that suggested an attraction. If anyone wants to check it out, it's at around the 35 minute mark:

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/episodes/beecham-house-e4/

Insulted now and scorned, she's dashed off in a huff. Uh oh...

It seems our hero is completely surrounded by treachery and troublesome family issues, so there's an awful lot to attempt to resolve in the finale. PBS should definitely consider figuring out how to renew the series -- it's perfect Sunday evening fare, with a lot of potential for further plot development.