Jack & His Daughter Grow Up in 'Alice & Jack's Fourth Episode
It’s half over, gentle readers; we’ve made it to episode four of Alice & Jack together, and this time we get a little reward: Less nonsense! There are fewer dumb decisions and irritating actions. Jack’s daughter Celia, who is easily more interesting than him, features heavily and her journey to understand her father improves our opinion of Jack. Through Celia’s eyes even Alice is more tolerable, which is no small feat.
On the heels of Jack’s big win, Alice brings his five-million-pound check in person. Jack is emotional and grateful, telling Alice she’s delivered his daughter’s freedom. The world between them is set to rights, but Alice upsets the balance by trying to kiss Jack. Jack rebuffs her gently; he won’t get into a relationship with her again. The feelings are still there, but he’s made a conscious decision not to pursue them. This is a refreshing bit of growth for Jack! Alice is heartbroken and cries for the next few days, then makes a bold move: She sends a huge sum of money to Jack’s employer with the caveat that a pro bono division be set up with Jack as its director. This will enable Jack to research any disease he wants, regardless of funding. Paul is over the moon, declaring Alice has made their dreams come true.
But Jack takes it to a dark place and is furious, believing she’s manipulating him. He rushes to confront Alice, but her office is abandoned, except for Maya. She tells Jack that Alice is traveling. She closed her firm after giving everyone their money, explaining Alice was satisfied with her enormous profits and career performance. “She didn’t say goodbye,” Jack says stupidly, and Maya retorts that Alice did something “noble and generous” and then took him at his word by leaving him alone. Maya gives him a sealed envelope from Alice. When Jack is putting Celia to bed, she notices the envelope tucked in his back pocket. Jack tells her it’s from Alice and he’s surprised Celia remembers her as “the one who almost got married.” Later Celia watches Jack secretly as he reads the note and then tucks it in his nightstand. She holds on to this memory for six years.
