What I’m Watching: Dickinson (Penultimate Episode)

Dickinson: Season 3, Episode 9 “Grief is a Mouse” (B+)

Things were looking up for Edward on his ride to Boston, but as soon as he suggested that he wanted to spend time with his family, all of his dreams of being in politics were promptly dashed and he was thrown out of the carriage by Conkey. He wasn’t actually involved in any of the Dickinson family drama after that, but it was sweet to see Austin and Lavinia show up uncertainly to Emily’s urgent invitation and then realize that they can all be together and happy. Lavinia not being surprised about her father’s decision didn’t change the fact that she didn’t like it, and Austin seemed quite amenable to making sure that he didn’t continue the legacy of generations before him. Giving her mother a pep talk was a bit more of a challenge, but fortunately that worked too, and we even got a brief shot of Jane Krakowski dancing, which was awesome. George’s goodbye party should have been melancholy, but instead it helped everyone get back on track, including Austin, who confessed that he paid someone to go to war and in his place and was essentially forgiven by both George and Sue. The biggest and best development was that Emily was comfortable being herself, kissing Sue almost in view of other people, and then she got to read the poem that Sue had published anonymously in front of everyone, with a special emphasis towards her as he read it. Ending with them happy in bed together was wonderful. Higginson’s impending arrival shouldn’t change that much, and hopefully he’ll at least comfort Betty with whatever message he brings from Henry.