Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
Victoria Season 2 Episodes
Season 2 Episode Guide
9 Episodes 2017 - 2017
Episode 1
A Soldier's Daughter
Sun, Jan 14, 201849 mins
A month after giving birth, Victoria is frustrated at being cosseted and angry that Albert and the government are excluding her from their business. She is particularly annoyed to learn that they have kept from her the slaughter of British troops in the unwinnable war in Afghanistan and rebuffs Leopold's view that her baby girl is betrothed to a foreign power for political purposes. In the wake of public outrage at the Afghani defeat she rallies the country with a personal appearance whilst Albert's brother Ernest advises him on healing the marital rift. Below stairs the departure of Mrs Jenkins means promotion for Miss Skerrett whilst chef Francatelli is 'persuaded' to return and the formidable Duchess of Buccleuch becomes the new Mistress of the Robes.
Episode 2
The Green-Eyed Monster
Sun, Jan 14, 201847 mins
Having resisted his profligate father's financial demands Albert goes to the Royal Society to meet computer pioneers Charles Babbage and the poet Byron's daughter Ada Lovelace, inviting them to a palace function. Victoria is suspicious of her husband's admiration for Ada and calls in her old mentor, former premier Lord Melbourne, who advises her that the relationship is based solely on scientific interests. Victoria and Albert are further reconciled when she tells him that she is pregnant again whilst in the servant's hall a young thief convinces assistant dresser Miss Cleary that there is a ghost on the premises.
Episode 3
Warp and Weft
Sun, Jan 21, 201847 mins
The apprehension of a palace thief alerts Albert to household inefficiency, leading to pay increases for the staff, whilst Victoria receives a deputation from the weavers of Spitalfields protesting against foreign imports. Against the advice of Sir Robert Peel, who cites national unrest, Victoria decides to throw a ball where the costumes are only made by the Spitalfields craftsmen but Peel is proved right as the ball is seen as a costly extravagance whilst thousands are starving and there is a demonstration at the palace gates. The guests number Lord Melbourne, who masks his terminal illness from the queen, but Albert learns the truth and Victoria pays her former mentor an emotional visit.
Episode 4
The Sins of the Father
Sun, Jan 21, 201846 mins
Victoria gives painful birth to a son but severe natal depression prevents her from bonding with him. Unable to support her Albert returns to Germany where he is shocked to learn of his true paternity. Learning also of Leopold's intention to marry Ernest to a dour Spanish princess the unhappy Albert gets very drunk and leaves in a hurry. Back in England Victoria, helped by the Duchess of Buccleuch, begins to resume public appearances whilst Nancy Skerrett has to admit that she took the place of her pregnant impoverished cousin Eliza to obtain work, Eliza now having sold the story of the palace break-in to the papers. Victoria intends to dismiss her but Albert, nursing his own secret, steps in to save her job.
Episode 5
Entente Cordiale
Sun, Jan 28, 201847 mins
After Peel airs his misgivings over wily French king Louis Philippe betrothing his son to Isabel, the Spanish infanta, fearing a Franco-Spanish alliance against Britain Victoria travels with her entourage to the French court to dissuade the king. She is frustrated by his refusal to discuss the reason for her visit and puzzled by the reluctance of Albert, to support her, until he admits to her Leopold's revelation and is reassured by her view that it changes nothing between them. As a result the pair form an entente cordiale whilst closet gay lovers Lord Alfred Paget and government aide Drummond enjoy a nude dip with Albert. However, on return to England , Victoria learns of the French king's duplicity though she does have a pleasant surprise for Albert.
Episode 6
Faith, Hope & Charity
Sun, Feb 4, 201865 mins
1846:- Potato blight brings widespread famine to largely Catholic Ireland and compassionate vicar Robert Traill, faced with apathy by a bigoted Protestant clergy, writes to Victoria for assistance. Deeply moved by his letter she is anxious to help and is shocked when Peel refuses, claiming that to show favouritism to the Irish would cause resentment at home, undermining his government. She invites Dr Traill to visit her to explain how the Irish church has contributed to his parishioners' plight, prompting her to again ask Peel to send relief - but it is too late for the typhus-stricken Dr Traill and a million of his countrymen. Ernest has his own health problems whilst Albert busies himself improving sanitation for London and Francatelli shows an act of great kindness to assistant dresser Miss Cleary to aid her family in Ireland.
Episode 7
The King Over the Water
Sun, Feb 11, 201846 mins
After an another attempt on her life Albert takes Victoria to the Scottish Highlands with a small entourage, staying with the Duke of Atholl. However they find the duke's entertainment, including a recital by a verbose poet, boring and formal, and they make their escape, sheltering from a storm with a crofter and his wife. Victoria delights in this freedom whilst Drummond, about to enter a marriage of convenience, and Paget enjoy their time together, unaware that courtier Wilhelmina Coke observes their passion, Meanwhile Ernest's attempts to woo the newly widowed Duchess of Sutherland, begin to bear fruit after an initial knockback.
Episode 8
The Luxury of Conscience
Sun, Feb 18, 201846 mins
Peel faces opposition to the repeal of the Corn Laws and his desire for free international trade though he is supported by Albert, whose presence in parliament results in his being mocked. Already unsettled by Leopold's unannounced arrival at court Albert also feels undermined by Baroness Lehzen's ideas of child-care, leading to an ultimatum. Peel's bill is passed at a cost to Drummond, Peel consequently resigning, whilst Ernest defies Leopold in his choice of bride and romance blossoms between Nancy Skerrett and Francatelli.
Episode 9
Comfort and Joy
Sun, Feb 25, 201890 mins
In 1846 Albert introduces the Christmas tree to court for the festivities and there are two other arrivals - Victoria's mother, invited by Albert, to his wife's displeasure, and Sarah. a little African girl, a gift from the king of Dahomey. Against Albert's advice Victoria tries to make Sarah feel less awkward at court but is forced to make a decision about her whilst a visit from the king of Prussia causes further discord. Ernest rebels against his father's plan to engage him to a wealthy German princess but has to keep a secret from the adoring duchess Harriet whilst Paget, still mourning Drummond, comes to an arrangement with the duchess of Buccleuth's niece Wilhelmina. Below stairs Penge's hope of making money from a railway scheme comes to nothing and Nancy finds an inheritance from a distant relation comes with a terrible price but finds consolation elsewhere.
