'Gentleman Jack' Season 2, Episode 4 Recap: “I’m Not the Other Woman, She Is.”

Mariana and Lister have not yet decided on pistols at dawn when this week's Gentleman Jack begins. However, the argument about their former relationship goes on and on with little resolution. Mariana, emotional, manipulative, and trapped in an unhappy marriage, makes the mistake several times of describing Ann Walker as unstable, “not all there,” and unladylike, passing on malicious comments from mutual friends. She accuses Lister of being interested in Ann only for her money. Lister keeps her cool, and defends Ann as being sweet, normal, and very kind.

Mariana pulls out all the stops. She digs up past history, claiming that in addition to parental pressure, Lister’s behavior and appearance years ago drove her to marry Charles Lawton (Rupert Vansittart) — “rich, available, hideous and willing.” Lister doesn’t believe this and comments that Ann has never criticized her for her physical appearance or manners. If Mariana had wanted position and money, it was only a matter of time until Lister inherited Shibden Hall. The marriage was always Mariana’s choice.

Mariana tries to seduce Lister, who is adamant that she made an oath and braved the world’s opinion to be with Ann. It goes on, through dinner, into the following day. Lister tells Mariana that fresh air and exercise are the best cure for sleeplessness and the other mysterious maladies from which she suffers. The visit drags on, and when Lister receives a letter from Ann, Mariana asks if she can see it but then complains that she can’t read it. Lister reads aloud a rather mundane account (with several grammatical errors) of everyone’s health, card games, and the weather. Mariana is outraged: “She writes to you like a dutiful schoolgirl, with your towering intellect!” Lister insists there’s more to Ann than meets the eye.