OUTRAGEOUS Recap: (S01E03) Episode 3

Geek Girl Authority

27-06-2025

Full disclosure: I didn't jump into Outrageous completely blind. I learned about Unity Mitford (Shannon Watson) many years ago, thanks to a Fringe Festival play called Hitler's Women , a title that attracted as much outrage as it did audiences. While the play didn't delve into her sisters, it painted a pretty clear picture of Unity as a woman who put the 'fan' in fanatical. Outrageous Episode 3 highlights this particular character trait, bookending the episode with scenes of her preparation and the fruition of her efforts.
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Not to be outdone, the elder Mitford sisters spend Episode 3 carving out their own paths of politics, travel, and authorship. Sisterly sentiment clashes with ideology. And finally, young Jessica (Zoe Brough) finds the spark to light her red flame. Nothing is too outrageous for this lot. Not even Deborah's (Orla Hill) honest and shockingly predictable goals in life. Photographer: Olly Courtney- Courtesy of BritBox Outrageous, Season 1 Episode 3
March 1934. Unity runs calisthenic drills on the lawns of The Fortress to marching band music played on a phonograph. Jessica watches in wonder from the veranda, while Nancy (Bessie Carter) and Peter Jamie Blackley) find it amusing from their vantage inside the house. Nancy's voiceover describes how Unity would develop short-lived obsessions as a child. When Unity ends her workout with a Sieg Heil salute, the smile fades from Nancy's face.
At Nancy and Peter's flat, Diana (Joanna Vanderham) visits, bringing her sons. Over tea, she tells Nancy that she's pregnant with Mosley's (Joshua Sasse) baby and needs to get an abortion. She asks Nancy to accompany her for moral support, and Nancy agrees, pointing out that Diana's making all the sacrifices in her relationship with Mosley. The Campaign Begins
Unity begins pestering her parents to send her to a German finishing school in Munich. She argues that the Germans are friendly and more similar to English people. She wants to learn the German language and the culture. In addition, the pound sterling goes a long way in Germany. Muv (Anna Chamberlain) and Farve (James Purefoy) discuss it, with Muv taking up Unity's cause, and the decision is made to consider it.
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Muv also slips in the fact that she's invited Diana and her sons to Easter with the family. She points out that Farve misses her as much as the rest of the family does, and it's time the rift was healed. Farve acquiesces. She inquires about the state of the finances. He insists everything is being handled. She's unconvinced.
In the clinic, Nancy waits with Diana before the abortion. Diana asks Nancy to take care of her sons if anything were to go wrong in the operating room. Nancy promises to, but reassures her that everything's going to be fine. The doctor and nurse roll Diana away to ominous music. April 1934, Easter
Nancy and Peter leave The Fortress with Diana's sons. Nancy carries the younger one, while Peter walks hand in hand with the older one. They meet up with Farve and the rest of the family. Diana and Unity join them last. Outrageous – Photographer: Olly Courtney/Courtesy of BritBox
The entire family walks to the church for Easter service, along with a hound and a sheep. The dog and sheep are left outside, of course. As the congregation sings hymns, Unity carves a swastika into a pew. Diana, still recovering from the abortion, has to sit. When the collection plate goes around, Jessica steals a few coins.
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Upon returning home, Jessica deposits her loot in her 'Running Away Fund' jar. Down in the sitting room, Peter reads the headlines from the newspaper. Jessica arrives as he regales the group with a story about Winston Churchill's 15-year-old nephew, Esmond Romilly, who ran away from his boarding school to join communists in London. Jessica is fascinated. Esmond is a second cousin. The discussion irritates Farve, who throws the paper into the fire. Left alone when the family goes in for the luncheon, Jessica pulls the paper out to save the clipping with Esmond's picture. Sisterly Talks, Part 1
Nancy and Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones) take a walk. Nancy tells Pamela about the book she's writing. Titled Wigs on the Green , she intends to write a satire about the fascist movement in England, inspired by seeing Unity give the fascist salute to a woman in the village shop. Pamela cautions her that Unity and Diana won't find it funny. Nancy tells her that the publishers paid her an advance, which she and Peter have already spent to pay their debts. Peter still hasn't found a job.
Stopping at a large outbuilding, Pamela announces, 'Here she is! Allow me to introduce the new love of my life!' and opens the double doors to reveal a new roadster automobile. Having bought it with her earnings from running the farm, she plans to drive it alone across Europe in the summer. Nancy's impressed by her courage. The Writer's Dilemma
At home, Nancy discusses the possibility of her sisters being bothered by Wigs on the Green with Peter. He dismisses Unity as abnormal, bordering on insane. He argues that she's targeting the movement, not her sisters, so they should understand. Struck by inspiration, he suggests they attend one of Mosley's rallies for research purposes.
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As Jessica falls deeper into her obsession with Esmond, Unity comes in and announces that she's convinced Muv and Farve to send her to Munich. Jessica's aghast, but impressed that Unity got her way. Unity's ecstatic to be going to the same city as where Hitler (Paul Giddings) lives. Munich, Germany
Muv accompanies Unity to the school in Munich and helps her get settled in. She reminds Unity that if she's ever unhappy, she can call home and they'll bring her home immediately. In response, Unity flings her arms around Muv in a bear hug, thanking her emphatically.
As Diana helps prepare Nancy to attend Mosley's rally, Nancy tells her about Wigs on the Green , hoping to smooth any future discontent with the satirical take on fascism. She promises to let Diana read the manuscript before she submits it, giving her full rein to do the final edit. Diana appreciates the offer, but feels that Nancy will be converted to the cause by Mosley's speech. She can't attend herself, but makes Nancy promise to telephone her afterwards to tell her all about it. In the parlor, Peter, dressed in a black shirt to match Nancy's, pops a bottle of champagne to toast Mosley with Diana.
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Diana listens to the news reporting on Mosley's rally. Agitators in the audience disrupt the rally, and Mosley demands that they be apprehended and punished. The rally descended into violent chaos as 2,000 protestors outside the rally clashed with fascist supporters. Date Night Gone Wrong
Nancy and Peter return home, upset by the thuggery they witnessed. Nancy can't wait to get out of the black shirt she's wearing. They are on the same page about how dangerous Mosley's mission is. When the phone rings, Nancy can't answer it, afraid of speaking to Diana about the rally. Peter solves this by picking up the handset and hanging up immediately.
They argue over finances and Peter's fruitless search for work. When Nancy questions his commitment to finding employment, he becomes mean and petty. After accusing her of being a suspicious 'little wife,' he grabs his coat and storms out. Sisterly Talks, Part 2
Deborah brings a parcel of books to Jessica. Jessica unwraps the first, Out of Bounds by Giles and Esmond Romilly. When she tells Deborah that it's about how to change the status quo, Deborah asks why it needs to change. Deborah appreciates how lucky their family is to live in The Fortress and the lifestyle their status affords them. Jessica tries to explain that she wants to solve the disparity between themselves and those who have nothing. When she asks Deborah what she wants to do with her life, Deborah replies that she expects to fall in love with someone rich and handsome. Jessica finds this goal pathetic. Deborah is not bothered.
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In Munich, Unity and a classmate, Angela (Emily John), go walking. Unity is superfluous in her love of Germany. Angela takes her to the Osteria Bavaria, Hitler's favorite restaurant. Unity wonders if he's in there at that moment. Angela tells her that he only comes at lunchtime and that he is always surrounded by his men. Unity takes a deep breath and goes into the restaurant, leaving Angela behind.
Inside the restaurant, Unity finds the backroom, decorated with images and quotes of the Third Reich. When a server greets her, Unity asks to make a lunch reservation for herself for every day. July 1934
Favre enters his study to find Muv going over the books. She confronts him about their debt. He insists it's a temporary state and demands that she trust him. Nancy arrives alone for lunch. Muv puts on a cheerful face and gently suggests that Nancy and Peter establish separate bank accounts. Nancy points out that there's nothing to put in one if she had one. Outrageous – Courtesy of BritBox
Unity and Angela sit at the counter in the Osteria Bavaria. Unity explains Hitler's routine whenever he lunches there. Angela wonders what the restaurant staff thinks of Unity's stalker-like behavior. Unity is completely oblivious to any criticism. She continues to explain her strategy. Just then, Hitler and his entourage enter, and everyone stands to salute him.
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He walks past and takes a seat in the back room. Unity lowers her arm and tells Angela that she's sure he looked right at her. Angela attempts to temper Unity's enthusiasm with a modicum of reality, but Unity rolls right over her in her belief that her plan is working.
At lunch at The Fortress, Tom extols Hitler's successes in Germany, while Jessica argues the anti-fascist points. Tom and Muv refuse to believe the rumors of the persecution of marginalized groups. Jessica pulls Nancy into the discussion, throwing her under the bus twice – first by mentioning her attendance at Mosley's rally, then by spilling the tea about Wigs on the Green . December 1934
Nancy tells Joss (Will Attenborough) about sending a heavily edited version of the book to Diana for her feedback. Joss calls it a toothless tiger. Nancy doesn't disagree. He admits that he didn't think Mosley and fascism would ever gain footing in England, but now it feels very real and possible. When Nancy questions whether she should pull the manuscript, Joss respectfully points out that her novel won't make a real difference. He feels that Diana should understand that Nancy needs to earn the money that has already been paid.
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At their lovenest, Mosley is irate with the manuscript. He turns it into an attack on Diana, painting Nancy as a jealous and spiteful sister. Diana recognizes Nancy's financial straits, but Mosley insists that she demand Nancy dump the book. He argues that if Nancy is a true sister, she'll be loyal to Diana and any cause Diana supports.
Meeting at a lounge, Diana argues that Nancy's book makes fun of everything Mosley's spent years building. She calls it hurtful, and Nancy is deeply remorseful, offering to cut out any offensive passages. Diana demands that she not publish at all. Nancy says that's not possible, financially speaking. She says Diana's being a bit oversensitive. Diana points out that Nancy doesn't like Mosley, having heard it from the rest of the family, so the satire isn't meaningless. She accuses Nancy of not speaking the truth to her face. Nancy obliges. She admits she doesn't like Mosley or his politics. Diana takes that personally and states that Mosley is the only hope for the future. She stands up and tells Nancy that her faith in Mosley is unshakeable, but she doesn't have that faith in Nancy's loyalty anymore. She leaves Nancy speechless. What's Coming Next
At the Osteria Bavaria, Unity drops and smashes a glass pitcher, distracted by Hitler in the back room. As the server cleans up and Unity apologizes, an SS officer approaches and invites Unity to join Hitler at his table.
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Nancy's voiceover reviews the state of things. Diana and Unity lost to the fascist cause. Nancy shut out by Diana. In an elegant juxtaposed montage of the three women approaching doorways — Diana to her parlor, Unity to the back room, Nancy returning home — she wonders what is happening to her family. In her house, Nancy finds Peter partying with another couple. She excuses herself from the festivities, claiming a headache. Peter and the others carry on without her.
The next morning, a lorry arrives outside the flat. Men bang on the door. Nancy answers it, and they burst in, repossessing all her furniture.
Outrageous streams on BritBox, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.
TV Review: IRONHEART Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.