Lots of Offers Can Be Refused in 'Hotel Portofino's “Proposals”

The title of Hotel Portofino’s second episode of Season 3 is “Proposals,” which is appropriate because Marco seems to think that proposing to Bella will solve all their problems. He thinks it’s their chance to be together, but Bella knows things aren’t so simple for a woman in 1929. She tells him she is sure about Marco but not about marriage. That doesn’t go over so well with Marco and the two have a fight.

But later, a very tipsy Bella goes to see Marco and tells him, “I just know I don’t want to lose you.” Marco doesn’t get what their path forward can be. Bella tells him she just needs time. “Fine, but don’t take too long because while you are making up your mind about what you want. I’ll be making mine up, too.” While I understand Marco’s perspective here,  I think the last thing Bella needs right now is another man telling her what to do. Marco doesn’t care what anyone else thinks about their relationship, but Bella reminds him that she has to care. People won’t stay in a hotel run by a scandalous woman.

Marco’s other problem is Danioni, who has been spying on Marco and now demands to know why he wasn’t in his office that morning. Marco tells him he was out picking mushrooms, which he shows Danioni. (Marco has receipts, as the kids say.) Marco also brought his license to Danioni, as was requested in the last episode. Danioni tells Marco just to leave it on his desk. “I’ll get it back if it’s all in order,” he tells him. Marco obeys, which seems like a major mistake (and the ominous music that plays over the scene confirms this is a grave error). Now Marco has no proof that he’s a licensed contractor.