Colbourne looks so relaxed and happy when he is walking around his property with Charlotte. You can tell its the place where he grew up and felt free running around.
This poor man is so broken. Having grown up with an alcoholic father, a physically abusive governess and an unfaithful wife who then committed suicide leaving him to shoulder the burden of her actions alone, it's no wonder that he thinks that he is undeserving of love. In his way, he is trying to protect the people whom he loves and cares for by keeping them at a distance because he thinks that he will only cause misery. Whatever confidence Alexander gained thanks to Charlotte's love, Colonel Rumpkin (Lennox) shattered it in one conversation. Even after Alexander regrets his words and his actions in dismissing Charlotte and tries to make amends, he's so awkwardly timid in his apology and Charlotte is so deeply wounded and rightfully so, that it all just falls spectacularly to pieces. I really hope that Alexander and Charlotte can reconcile. They both deserve to be happy and I think that they would be happy together. ❤️
@Susan Sparke I completely agree with your assessment of Lucy and Lennox's conduct and who they were as people. Alexander Colbourne, however, is a far more complex character, so it is easy to mistake what we are seeing when we look at this man and listen to him speak. Mrs. Wheatley warned Charlotte about doing that. In an interview, Ben Lloyd-Hughes talked about the challenges, as an actor, of portraying his character. During one of Janis and Maureen's discussions on The Sanditon Chronicles, it was mentioned that Justin Young, the lead scriptwriter, has said that there is a 10-page biography for Alexander Colbourne. Like Janice and Maureen, I too would pay good money to read that biography. Colbourne's personality is so complex that at times he seems inscrutable. It is this particular character who has caused me to revisit the historical record of what life was like during the time in which Jane Austen lived and wrote. Alexander Colbourne does not have the profile of a broken man. In fact, his profile is far from that. Colbourne does not need our sympathy and certainly not our pity, but he does require our patience, our willingness to suspend immediate judgment, our understanding of the human dilemma, and our respect. As a child, Colbourne was taught self-discipline. As an adult, he demands that of himself and he expects that of others. He conforms to and lives up to society's expectations, and he expects others to do so as well. Apparently, Colbourne married because that is what society expected of him, not because he loved Lucy. That is the failure that Colonel Lennox levels against Colbourne. Several times during S2, Lennox accuses Colbourne of failing Lucy, but his accusation is rather vague-with the exception of the moment just before Colbourne angrily storms out of the garden party. At that moment, Lennox points directly at what the accusation is when he says, "Never mind, Mr. Colbourne. You know what they say, all's fair in love and war. But then, I've known both, and you've known neither." When Colbourne went to London and discovered that Lucy had failed, once again, to live up to society's expectations for a wife, he showed her "no pity, no compassion," which he soon came to regret for years to come. Instead, he allowed his angry emotions to rise to the surface and he excoriated her with his words, which effectively punished her. When Lucy died and left an innocent, helpless infant behind, Colbourne picked up the shattered pieces of their lives, shouldered the responsibilities of parenthood, and closed the door to a society that he neither liked nor respected nor condoned, and which he would certainly not have financially supported. Alexander Colbourne and Tom Parker are fundamentally at odds. Do you recall what Augusta said to her uncle about being a human being? Of course, humans are imperfect creatures. We all have flaws and imperfections and emotions. But Colbourne seems to have a low tolerance for human flaws and imperfections, and he carefully guards his emotions and keeps them under control-except when he is in the presence of Charlotte. It is those lapses of self-control that Colbourne finds unsettling, disturbing, and ultimately intolerable. So, he chooses to remove the source that causes his human emotions to quickly and repeatedly-and inevitably-rise to the surface. Colbourne expects himself and other to live up to standards that the average human is simply incapable of-which is precisely why he is immediately both frustrated and intrigued by Charlotte when they first meet. Charlotte is far from average-and, in that respect, it is obvious that she and Augusta and Colbourne share something in common. What is noticeably and significantly different about these three characters is that Charlotte and Augusta (with Charlotte's help) have been able to hold on to their own humanity and allow other humans to come into their lives and forge emotional connections with them. This is the journey that Alexander Colbourne is on. As I am sure you already know, Charlotte freed Colbourne from years of guilt when she said, "You bear no blame," and when she told him why it was necessary for him to finally forgive himself for the harsh words that he said to Lucy. Colbourne's superior intellect and ability to reason allowed him to move quickly and instinctively along the path that Charlotte pointed to-but he has now reached a critical crossroad, and the questions are: Which path will he choose to take? Can he navigate that path successfully? Where will that path ultimately take him? PART 2 Unfortunately, I do not think that you are alone in viewing Alexander Colbourne as a broken man. Although I certainly do not share that view, it may be the common view of this man-despite the fact that, as I said, Colbourne does not have a broken man's profile. By the way, I've never been entirely convinced that Colbourne's father was an alcoholic. Alcoholics have physical characteristics that would preclude an ability to excel at a sport such as archery. As for Colbourne's statement, "I'm nothing like my father," the very fact that just minutes later he shows himself to also be highly skilled at archery would suggest that his reply to Lady Dunham is not entirely true. Regarding his own governess's method of disciplining, corporal punishment in child rearing was by no means unusual or considered brutal or abusive when applied in the manner that Colbourne described. Charlotte's comment and the notion that you expressed are actually quite recent. "When it is inflicted on minors, especially in home and school settings, its methods may include spanking or paddling," with, for example, a leather belt, a hairbrush or ruler, or a switch." In reality, based upon Colbourne's description of the governess's disciplinary actions, it is unlikely that anyone in Austen's era would have characterized that as "physically abusive," and there is no reason to believe that either he or his brother were any more worse for the wear than any of their peers, since they would have been disciplined in the same manner. In a few other Sanditon-tribute videos where I have commented, I have mentioned the unusual and surprising sophistication of the Sanditon script, without elaborating on my reasons for saying that. I don't wish to do so here either, but perhaps I should point out one pertinent historical fact. Jane Austen lived and wrote during the time in which the proponents of The Age of Enlightenment were being challenged by thinkers of The Age of Romanticism, which ultimately dominated early 19th century culture (and which is the period when Austen began writing Sanditon, not long before her death in 1817). The general perception is that writers and artists gravitated towards Romanticism, while scientists continued to favor the Enlightenment. Presumably, Sanditon's scriptwriters would be well-grounded in the history of that period and how the traditional and the changing views of that time would likely have influenced Austen's thinking and writing. In general, romanticists believed that the advances made by the human intellect and reason had created an oppressive and conformist society and that science and reason could never even hope to truly and fundamentally understand the natural world and the human psyche. Modern progress, they argued, came at the price of natural human freedoms, the human spirit, and the human need to freely explore the untried and the unknown. If you watch and listen closely to Sanditon's characters, these recurring themes and conflicts become apparent.
@@Jean-wk7on I always enjoy reading your comments because you don't make comments without showing evidence or make comments that you can't explain or defend. Sometimes I look for your comments. I agree with you. Besides, the writers wouldn't have created a "broken" man for Jane Austen's heroine and then try to convince us that he is perfect for her. Anyway, thanks again for your excellent analysis. ❤
I agree with your excellent analysis with one exception. I was really angry at Mr. Colbourne for falling for Col. Lennox very obvious ploy. (The song title, What Have I Done? is a perfect description of how he must have been feeling as she ran from his study.) However, when Mr. Colbourne realized his blunder and went within hours of his mistake to apologize, I was shocked by Charlotte's reaction. Three times he tried to apologize and each time she cut him off with eyes so hard and cold she was virtually unrecognizable as the sweet girl we'd come to love over the last two seasons. It was only in the last two episodes of S1 that Sidney Parker showed Charlotte any affection at all. Then, while he finally did something honorable for his brother by sacrificing his own desires to save Tom from possible ruin and debtor's prison, he ultimately rejected Charlotte and broke her heart. But having seen the video called Sidney Parker Behaving Like an Emotionally Constipated Narcissist for 16 Minutes Straight (I think that is the title) I was appalled to see all Sidney's insults, condescension, and selfishness strung together in near consecutive order. It was a lot. I accidentally deleted S1 from my DVR after keeping it for two years, so I won't be able to quote this verbatim, but remember when Sidney said to Charlotte "Who are you? No one. Where do you come from? Nowhere." and then something to the effect of "I don't think of you at all." And Charlotte says to Mr. Colbourne "I could never feel such tenderness for someone who showed me so little respect." Girl, do you have amnesia?
@@lisatea5779 Hi, Lisa. I completely agree with everything you said about Sidney Parker-and I could not have said it better. But keep in mind, during the early part of Sidney and Charlotte's relationship nothing romantic had taken place between them. They weren't even friends, and they were barely on speaking terms. So, that was a completely different dynamic. There was only one way for that relationship to go. It couldn't have gotten any worse, unless they had threatened to kill each other. So, the only place for that relationship to go was up. Colbourne did not apologize to Charlotte when he went to the Parkers' home. To be honest, after the performance that he gave in his office, I have absolutely no idea what kind of apology could possibly have saved him from a cold, not-on-your-life rejection. Lisa, because Charlotte freely acknowledged that she had been a willing participant, what Colbourne said to Charlotte when he dismissed her implied that he is a gentleman and a man of honor and she was nothing more than another member of his staff and an easily had slut. As if that wasn't bad enough, Colbourne had the audacity to go to the Parkers' home and follow that humiliation up with, "The house misses you . . . yadda, yadda, yadda." He was speaking to her as if they are in completely different social classes, which they are not. The questions Charlotte's put to him and her response were exactly what they should have been. And Charlotte further showed her strong sense of self-respect and dignity by not allowing Colbourne to see her break down and cry. She held back the tears until he had left the room. This is a very sensible young woman who deserves everyone's respect. Apparently, Colbourne took Charlotte's open-hearted, gentle kindness for availability and weakness. At this point, Colbourne is in a position where he is now forced to either figure out how he really feels about Charlotte or lose Charlotte forever. I genuinely like Alexander Colbourne, but what Colbourne said to her made it crystal clear that Charlotte Heywood could not return to Heyrick Park as his governess. Colbourne has made that all too obvious.
The scene of him on Hannibal racing to Sanditon gets me whenever I watch S2 Ep6. In such a hurry to try and correct his error. But of course, it's not yet to be as S3 awaits. I am mesmerized by BLH portrayal of Colbourne. Ben is in a class all his own as a performer. Phenomenal!!!
@@peggylittle9968 I bet once S3 starts none of us are going to think "poor Ralph". We are all going to start dreaming up ways of getting rid of Ralph so Charlotte will be free to marrying Xander!
This is fantastic video of the Heybourne's finding/losing love story. I can't get enough of this couple as I wait in great anticipation of season 3. Thank you for your beautiful edit.
After days of not seeing a response from you to a different conversation we were having and my answers to your questions, I just realized that, for some reason, the first of my two recent responses to you is not showing up. This morning, I tried posting it again several times, in three parts (just in case the issue is length, but I don't think so). I think video creators do have some control over which comments are visible. Apparently, my responses to your questions are being blocked.
@@Jean-wk7on Thank you Jean for the reply. I'm sorry that your messages have disappeared. I'm very interested in what you have to say concerning this relationship and Sanditon in general. I'm sure we don't or won't agree on everything but I love to see other peoples view and how they came to it. Susan Firth has a Sanditon community forum on her channel if you would like to take the conversation there we can. I have a busy schedule today but will have some time later this evening to continue this converstion.
@ 1ofSevensisters In case you didn't get a notification, a few days ago, I posted PART 2 of my response where you suggested. See "Are they villains or just misunderstood?" in Susan Firth's Community Forum.
Good God, Colbourne! What have you done? Fate presented you with the perfect mate for you, and what did you do? You allowed someone else to distract you and then blind you to the opportunity that was right in front of you-and you blew it, repeatedly! If this were a real-life scenario, everyone observing your choices would be deeply concerned. Luckily for you and all of your anxious observers, we are virtually guaranteed a Jane-Austenesque ending-eventually. For heaven's sake, man. Do you not know that fate only presents us with opportunities? That's it! We are all free agents. It is the choices that we make that create our destiny! Thank you, Krissy! I've returned to your video more times than I'd care to admit. This song is absolutely perfect for Colbourne and Charlotte, given the final episode of S2.
Jean, I always look for and read your commentary on a Sanditon video because it is always so insightful. I have spent far too much time rewatching this series in the hopes of figuring out where I think the writers are going to take their story. No doubt they are together by the time the final credits roll but it's the mushy middle is where all the drama will be. What that drama will be is the question! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
@@1ofSevensisters Thank you, 1ofSevensisters (If that is indeed true, you are quite fortunate.). I try to always respond to comments sent to me, and value the insights that have been shared. So, I gain as much as I've given.
@@Jean-wk7on Thank you for the reply. I am, indeed, the middle of seven sisters. My mother had 9 children. The first and last were boys with the seven of us sisters filling up the space in between them. We have a close bond and are the best of friends so I am truly blessed and fortunate especially because a few of them are even Jane Austen fans as I am. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on something I've been puzzling over. Please don't feel obligated to respond. I will not be offended if you don't. I'm trying to figure out the relationship dynamics of these 3 people. Do you think that Colbourne knew that Lucy and Lennox were "sweethearts" (in a relationship) before Colbourne married Lucy ? After watching Sanditon a few times, it is my belief that Colbourne didn't know about Lennox & Lucy's relationship. If he had, I don't think he would have married her. Perhaps Col Lennox was off to war and Lucy married Colbourne (who had just inherited his family's estate) while Lennox was away. Lennox returned to London and found out about Lucy's marriage and that is why Lennox believes that Colbourne stole Lucy from him. I wonder why Lennox is blaming Colbourne for the marriage rather than blaming Lucy for not waiting for him? Would Lucy have married Lennox even if she hadn't married Colbourne? Do you think Colbourne loved Lucy when he married her? How long do you think Colbourne and Lucy married before she had the affair with Lennox? Both Col. Lennox and Colbourne accuse each other of abandoning Lucy. Colbourne tells Charlotte about going to London and finding Lucy pregnant and abandoned by Col Lennox. Col Lennox says he found Lucy in a terrible state, lost and abandoned when he met her in London. Colbourne replies that he knew he could have been a better husband but never abandoned her. Why would Lucy tell Col Lennox that she had been abandoned by her husband when it wasn't true? Do you think it was true or was Lucy hoping to renew her prior relationship with Lennox and needed to give him a reason for her unhappiness? Was Lucy unhappy because she had not conceived a child with Colbourne which caused her to believe she was unable to have children? Col Lennox appears to not have realized that Lucy was pregnant with his child because Leo was a surprise to him. Col Lennox may have been away on one of the Napoleon war campaigns at the time that Lucy discovered her pregnancy. Lennox left Lucy in London but not necessarily because she was with child as Colbourne's statement to Charlotte made it seem like he did. It's obvious that Lucy was a social butterfly and Colbourne is more of a homebody so the chances of them ever being contented together were slim at best.
@@1ofSevensisters Regarding something I neglected to mention earlier: Yes, what you suspect about Lennox's knowledge of the pregnancy is correct. The reason why Lennox told Charlotte "for reasons I do not comprehend, he destroyed her" is because he assumed that Colbourne never knew about his affair with Lucy. If Lennox had know that Lucy carried his child, it would have been quite clear to him that her husband would have been outraged and furious with Lucy when he discovered her condition (which also suggests that Lennox knew that Lucy and Colbourne were not sexually intimate with each other). It is not until Leo goes to the army's encampment and speaks with Lennox that he becomes aware of the condition Lucy was in when they were with each other for the last time. Below is the dialogue. PICNIC AT HEYRICK PARK (S2E3) Charlotte: Where did you learn that? Augusta: My mother. Charlotte: What was she like? Augusta: Pretty. Kind. Sad. Charlotte: Why sad? Augusta: She had a twin. Leoneora's mother. But after Aunt Lucy died, it was as if my mother lost half of herself-especially, given the circumstances. Charlotte: What happened? Nobody ever seems to speak of her. Augusta:That's because my uncle cannot bear to hear her name. Leonora: Father! Look, it's father. Charlotte: Mr. Colbourne. Colbourne:I won't disturb you. Charlotte:How is Hannibal, sir? Colbourne: Recovering. Thank you! He sends his regards. Charlotte: Be sure to send him mine in return. Leo: We're having a picknic, father. and learning about wildflowers. Say you will join us, please. Augusta: There is no need, uncle. I am certain you would rather do almost anything else. Colbourne: I could spare a few moments. Colbourne: So, what has Miss Heywood been teaching you this morning, Augusta? Augusta: Not a great deal. As you arrived, she was asking about Aunt Lucy. Charlotte: Miss Marcum was saying her mother and your late wife were close. Colbourne: Yes. Inseparable. Augusta: Aunt Lucy often used to stay with us. Somehow she always felt happier in London then Colbourne: You were just a child, Augusta. Your memories cannot be relied upon. Augusta: Perhaps she felt as I do, trapped! Colbourne: We have discussed this. You will be introduced to society when you are ready. Augusta: When will that be, uncle, since you seem to be so determined to avoid the company of those around you? When I'm 30? Charlotte: Miss Marcum, I am sure your uncle only has your best interests at heart. (Leo returns to the picnic blanket holding cornflowers, and the conversation immediately switches to them.) MID-SUMMER FAIR (S2E3) There is some chatting between them about the escaping balloon, Arthur saving the day, and Colbourne (which Lennox clearly doesn't like). Charlotte climbs out of the balloon, walks away, and Lennox follows her until he gets her attention. (45:35) Lennox: From the moment we met, you have spoken to me with candor. I fear I have not repaid the courtesy. It's against my nature to impugn another man's character, but I must warn you to be on your guard against Mr. Colbourne. (45:52) Charlotte: Why? (45:54) Lennox: Please just take my word. (45:56) Charlotte: With respect, you can't warn me on such strong terms without evidence. (46:04) Lennox: Some years ago, there was a young lady who meant a great deal to me. She had a fierce, bright spirit-not unlike your own. Her name was Lucy. (46:22) Charlotte: His wife. (46:25) Lennox: Colbourne stole her from me, Miss Heywood, and then for reasons I do not comprehend, he destroyed her. EAST WING AT HEYRICK PARK (S2E4) Augusta: It's the thing I remember best about my aunt, her beautiful dresses. Augusta: She was always so elegant, but this . . . this is my favorite. I remember her wearing it to a ball in London, with my mother and father. Charlotte: And Mr. Colbourne. Augusta: He rarely came to London with her. He's always been solatery. GARDEN PARTY (S2E4) Lennox: You chose not to heed my warning, I see. Charlotte: Is it not possible he has changed? Lennox: I very much doubt it, but for your sake I'll try to be civil. Colbourne: Take your hands off her. Charlotte: He's trying to help. Lennox: She is the very image of her aunt, which was in my arms as if Lucy had come back to me. (Shortly after the archery contest.) Lennox: Never mind, Mr. Colbourne. You know what they say, all's fair in love and war. But then, I've known both, and you've known neither. HEYRICK PARK DRAWING ROOM (S2E5) Charlotte and Colbourne's drawing room dialogue - S2E5 Colbourne: Lucy and I married young. I had not long inherited this house. Colbourne: She wanted to stay in London, with the heart of society-and I did not. Colbourne: So, she stayed for a final season and I came back here. Charlotte: That's where she met Colonel Lennox? Colbourne: Captain, as he then was. I never thought what stranger she and I had become. Colbourne: She wrote, delaying her return-pleading illness. Colbourne: Months went by without a word. At last my curiosity conquered my pride. Colbourne: I went to London-only to find she was with child. Charlotte: His child? Colbourne: Nods his head, then says, He had abandoned her-and she was too scared and ashamed to face me. Colbourne: I showed her no pity, no compassion. Charlotte: You're not to blame. Colbourne: The words I spoke torment me to this day. She became a ghost of her former self, and not long after the child was born . . . Charlotte: Go on. Colbourne: Lucy knew she was not strong when she walked out into the rain that night. She must have known. Charlotte: That is why it pains you to be in Leo's company. She's a living reminder. Colbourne: I so wanted to tell you, but I was afraid of what you would think of me. Charlotte: You should not endure such recrimination after so long. Forgive yourself. Colbourne: I cannot! I cannot! Charlotte: You must! Else the past will thwart the future. A future that I imagine could be very dear indeed. HEYRICK PARK DRAWING ROOM (S2E5) Charlotte: Miss Markham, what cheerful tune is this? Augusta: You're quite right. I'll stop and take pause to apprehend all the wonderful other diversions ahead which I am sure will be an exquisite day. Charlotte: What ever is the matter? Mrs. Wheatley: The ball. She believes the garden party thwarted any chances of letting her return. Charlotte: Well, naturally. For a man of Mr. Colbourne's disposition, to be surround by happy company enjoying lively conversation, I think nothing could be more disagreeable. Mrs. Wheatly: Mind your tongue please, Miss Heywood. Mr. Colbourne doesn't deserve to be spoken of with such contempt. Charlotte: Forgive me, but the man I've seen (Mrs. Wheatley interrupts her.) Mrs. Wheatley: And how long have you known him? There is more to Mr. Colbourne than you can possibly imagine. ARMY'S ENCAMPMENT (S2E6) Colbourne: I came to thank you for sparing Leonora the truth. Lennox: What good would have come of it. I only hope you take better care of her than you did of her mother. Colbourne: Whatever you told Miss Heywood (Lennox interrupts him.) Lennox: I remember the state Lucy was in when I first met her. Lost. Abandoned. Colbourne: I know I could have been a better husband, but I never would have abandoned her. Colbourne: It was you who preyed upon her vulnerabilities. It was you who made a victim of her. Lennox: All I did was offer her the comfort her husband couldn't. You know I speak the truth. (Colbourne turns around to walk away.) Lennox: Miss Heywood's clearly in love with you. Can you trust yourself not to fail her as you failed Lucy? Colbourne: You're not fit to speak their names.
Great video! Thanks ☺ Sanditon Season 2 has not long finished airing on ITV in the UK. I much preferred it to Season 1 in that I really was not fussed on the pairing of Sidney and Charlotte, just didn't think they fitted at all. So I wasn't that bothered that he wasn't coming back. However, I do think Charlotte and Alexander are another story! They just weren't ready for eachother yet, but fingers crossed for much more time given to their relationship in season 3! Their scenes together so far were great but I don't think the relationship was given enough screen time, and too many other storylines were going on for just 6 episodes. However , for Season 3, I hope this will be rectified significantly!!! But I do wonder how there are going to be enough instances created where they end up in eachothers company! Hoping for accidental 'bump into you' moments, and various social events i.e. balls, fairs and the bonfire night! Also, Alexander is going to have to fight for her and show and proclaim his feelings, she deserves to be pursued, after being so let down in seasons 1 and 2. Which is why I hope Ralph won't hang around as the fiance for too many episodes (rolls eyes!) so that we can get some proper romantic interactions between AC and CH. Because of course we know that his integrity would not allow CH to pursue an engaged woman. But he still has to make some major efforts to be in her company. They really need to get much more screen time together for Season 3! Obvs there are going to be some bumps in the road before they officially get together, but do we think there will be any passionate moments, other than the expected longing looks, interrupted conversations etc? I definitely think there will be a couple of emotionally heightened dances, and lots of angst but I would like the last couple of episodes to at least see them having some fun together and smiles on their faces because those instances have been few so far, we the audience deserve to see some playful, happy moments between them! Also, I know it falls outside the realm of usual JA tropes, as things tend to end with a wedding , but can we please get some post wedding life! Even just a few scenes to allow a glimpse into their happy future as a couple and family unit..... I.e..... Evening of the wedding, he carries her upstairs to the bedroom.... Passionate kiss ensues, and the door closes behind them.... No graphic scenes required! (This is NOT bridgerton... Thank goodness!) But there definitely needs to be a couple of extra romantic scenes! Then to round it all off a few months post wedding, the family walking in the grounds of Heyrick, drone shots from behind, with AC And CH walking ahead arm in arm and Leo running behind with Augusta, the new puppy and Luna! then you see them both turn around to look at Leo and we see that there is a baby bump! A bit of a cliche, I know, but for me, that would round things off nicely! In some ways, it's a shame that both season 2 and 3 had to be filmed together as it doesn't allow for audience feedback to inform the showrunners of our thoughts/hopes for the final season! So let's hope massively that they give us what we wish for with some classic JA inspired romance! I don't want it to all be angst right up until the last episode because then we would barely get any loving or happy interactions between them until the very end ... Which would be a real shame because we need to see them finally joyful together with no further misunderstandings....! Thoughts anyone? ☺
Krissy, another brilliant masterpiece of video editing and song choice that shows the Alexander arc. Just wanted to let you know that 50 other fans on Sanditon Sites loved this video.
Charlotte is doubly devastated by Colbourne's clumsy pulling away from her because her sister is deliriously happy and just got engaged! When Charlotte walks up to Colbourne and the girls outside and he asks to speak to her alone I think she is expecting a proposal from him!
No. Colbourne doesn't have a broken heart, and he's not broken. The woman he married didn't love him, and he didn't love her. That's why their marriage was a DISASTER. So he decided never to marry again. THAT'S the PROBLEM!
AC doesn't have a broken heart, and he is not a broken man. Colbourne married soon after he inherited Heyrick Park because that's what 19th century society expected of him. Lucy married for the same reason. Colbourne didn't love Lucy, and Lucy didn't love Colbourne. Their marriage was an absolute disaster. Lucy stayed in London most of the time, and Colbourne lived at Heyrick Park. That, and the very fact that, to put it bluntly, Colbourne was not screwing his wife, are the reasons why they had no children. Marriage was such a bad experience for him that he swore never to marry again. The PROBLEM is, for the first time Colbourne thinks he may be in love, and he is not sure what to do. That's why he keeps twisting the signet ring he wears. During JA's time, men who didn't want marriage often wore a signet ring on their pinky.
I don't believe Mr. Colbourne is a broken man to the point he'd be an unsuitable partner for Charlotte, or she wouldn't have been able to make such a difference in their lives in such a short period of time. I think he is a wounded, humiliated man, absorbed by his work and neglectful of "his children" because frankly he doesn't know what to do with them. I believe he and his wife were mismatched in terms of personality and interests. Many couples of this era and social class had their marriages arranged for the sake of family fortune or influence and courtships were short. You might very well find yourself married to someone you found attractive but really didn't know. (Aren't Elizabeth Bennett's parents one such example?) Mr. Colbourne seems more serious and educated, Lucy more social and perhaps flighty. I do believe he loved her, or he wouldn't be so "cut up." If he never loved her, I think the first thing he would have done was take down that portrait from the wall and burn all her dresses. He might still be reclusive because of the embarrassment, but I think the fact he can't bring himself to say her name or listen to her spinet says he did love her. After the ball, he confessed to Charlotte that he hadn't noticed what strangers he and Lucy had become to one another. Just like a man. I hear a lot of modern couples who end their marriages because they "grew apart." And these people were all love matches presumably with plenty of time for courtship and getting to know one another. Last week I read about the Duke of Wellington who was rejected by a young woman because he wasn't wealthy or influential enough when he was young. He spent ten years thinking about how lovely she was and while he made a fortune in those ten years, he made an offer for her without meeting her again. Once he did, he found she'd grown fat. He was too honorable to "cry off" and once they were married found that she was also rather stupid and annoying. Mr. Colbourne could certainly be experiencing a more profound love for Charlotte (than he did for Lucy) as he shares some of her interests and admires her abilities and intellect. I suspect he was trying to figure out how to transition from employer to suitor without upsetting the girls or putting at risk the relationship they'd already developed when Col. Lennox's words made him fall back into that pit of insecurity where he felt unworthy of love, or at least unworthy of Charlotte.
@@lisatea5779 Hi, Lisa. Based upon what you wrote, it appears that you (as well as some other people) were not listening closely to the scriptwriters' dialogue. I admit, Sanditon is not an easy script to follow, and according to the head scriptwriter, Justin Young, they wanted to create mystery. So, Sanditon is very much like a puzzle. It's important that we have a clear sense of who these characters are as people. Anyone who doesn't have that is inevitable going to quickly get lost, because the pieces to the puzzle are scattered all over the script. The different characters give us pieces to the puzzle, so we have to listen carefully to what each of the characters says. 1. In the first place, Lucy died in London. Heyrick Park is on the outskirts of Sanditon. No one in Sanditon, with the exception of Charlotte and possibly Mrs. Wheatly and his other staff, has ever known anything about the circumstances of Lucy's death. That is mentioned in the script. Therefore, there would be absolutely no reason for him to be embarrassed about anything even if he had cause to be. 2. The night Colbourne and Charlotte sat together in his drawing room, he told her exactly what he has been suffering from for 9 years. Colbourne said, "I showed her no pity. No compassion." Then, he said, "The words I spoke torment me to this day." With those words, the writers make it very clear that Alexander Colbourne has been tormented by and suffering from guilt for 9 long years. Colbourne's primary characteristics are that he is a man of great integrity and compassion. (Think about how he treats his horse and his dog. Those scenes are in there for a reason. The writers are drawing a contrast.) Yet, that was how he spoke to Lucy. Colbourne believes that he is responsible for Lucy's death, and he was never able to forgive himself for that before he told Charlotte what he was suffering from and why. Think about how a man like Colbourne would feel, believing that he was responsible for another person's death. For the past 9 years Colbourne has been doing penance for the sin he believes he committed by destroying another person. A man like Colbourne would not have changed or even touched anything that the person whose death he believed he caused had created. According to an article in Architectural Digest, Lucy decorated the main level of the house. Colbourne's guilt is also the reason why he avoided being around Leo and Augusta, two people who he clearly cares about. Colbourne is afraid of ever destroying anyone else ever again. 3. Look at Alexander Colbourne, watch him, listen to him speak. That man doesn't have an insecure bone in his body. Colbourne has never felt unworthy of love from Charlotte or anyone else. (Nothing like that is anywhere in the script.) A man who feels unworthy of a woman is not going to take that woman in his arms and kiss her, and certainly not the way Colbourne does. 4. Colbourne and Lucy married young. We can assume that they were fond of each other, but it is also clear that they didn't know each other well before they married. Lucy loved London society; Colbourne detested London society. According to Augusta and her uncle, Lucy spent a great deal of time in London; she and her sister were inseparable. Colbourne never mentions the word love when he talks about Lucy. Colbourne said, "I hadn't realized how far apart Lucy and I had grown." Their original feelings for each other didn't grow into love; those feelings grew into cold, detached indifference. Colbourne said, "At last my curiosity conquered my pride. I went to London . . . ." Curiosity is not love or even concern. 5. Colonel Lennox repeatedly tells Colbourne that he failed Lucy. Lennox was right; Colbourne failed to ever love his wife because he was never able to accept her for who she was as a person. He had no more interest in being with Lucy than he had in being in London. Augusta implied that when she told Charlotte that her uncle rarely came to London with her aunt. Lennox said, "I have known love and war. You have known neither." Because Lennox accepted Lucy for who she was, he was able to love her. Lucy had no reason to want to stay at Heyrick Park because everything she cared about was in London. Augusta was right when she said her aunt felt trapped. Lucy and Colbourne were both trapped in a marriage without love. Lucy knew that Colbourne didn't love her, and Colbourne knew that Lucy didn't love him. Colbourne told Charlotte, "Lucy and I married young." For them, there seemed to be no way out of a mistake they made when they were young. 6. Lennox loved Lucy, and he asked Colbourne an important question that Colbourne didn't know the answer to. "Can you trust yourself not to fail Charlotte as you failed Lucy?" Colbourne doesn't know if his feelings for Charlotte will grow into love. In order for that to happen, Colbourn has to accept Charlotte for who she is, not for who he wants her to be. Charlotte helped Colbourne to accept Leo and Augusta for who they are as people. That is the journey that Alexander Colbourne is now on with Charlotte. If he cannot accept Charlotte for who she is as a person, he will never be able to love her. That is the Sanditon we have been watching. The story that you and a few other people have created in your heads is not Sanditon. Now that I've shown you those pieces to the puzzle, you should be able to accurately answer simple questions like: Was Colbourne suffering from a broken heart? The obvious answer is, No! Of course not! He was suffering from the pain of guilt. Was Lennox right when he said Colbourne failed Lucy and he abandoned her? The clear answer is, Yes! Colbourne never accepted Lucy for who she was, so he was never able to love her. When Colbourne rejected London society and left London, he rejected Lucy and abandoned her. Is Colbourne a broken man? Of course not! There is absolutely nothing broken about him. Colbourne is a man of integrity who knows that if he doesn't know the answer to Lennox's question (now that he knows that Charlotte is in love with him, because Lennox told him that she is), then he had to release Charlotte. That is what Colbourne realizes and struggles with as he rides his horse along the beach. And that is exactly what he did when he forced Charlotte to leave Heyrick Park by dismissing her. Colbourne's doesn't want to repeat the same mistake he made when he married Lucy. That mistake ended in disaster and Lucy's death. Colbourne doesn't want to make that mistake again or take that risk again.
@@Lorraine403X I agree Colbourne is not suffering from a broken heart, but guilt, good observation, but not sure the blame for her death can be put squarely on his shoulders. Also in 1815/16/17 a woman would have more normally been expected to stay by her husbands side rather than he go running about after her.
@@Lorraine403X my reading, your point 2 and point 3 seem to contradict each other. Big feelings of guilt and believing himself responsible do not sit alongside a man without an insecure bone in his body. How else was Lennox able to make him give up Charlotte so easy if he was so self confident.
The estate was left to AC saddled with debt, + he married young; Augusta is to inherit a small fortune... Could the marriage between AC and Lucy have been Lucy's money? (Hence the large portrait of her in the foyer.) ...to save Heyrick Park? Would that have compounded his feelings of guilt following her death?... Just a thought.
So, first there was Sidney Parker. Now, some people think Jane Austen's heroine has fallen in love with a broken man, instead of a man who simply had never been in love before? Well, if those people were right, Ralph would probably be Charlotte's best option since at least he's not broken. If I thought those people were right, I would not be looking forward to S3.
SP was never right for her he was a smoker drinker and a debaucher to boot not to mention he ignorant arrogant he loved Eliza and wanted to marry her in the first place but she married for money
I don't get the writing for this show! Why is Charlotte only *attracted* to men shout, yell, ,scream, get really scary angry at her and and then dump her? What's wrong with her?? And whats wrong with the writing staff for this show??
Sadly there are too many angry (I prefer stoic for AC) and women whose role is to save them... In literature, film and Disney princess movies as well as IRL. Male egos. But all turns out well in the end. Tee-up Colbourne 2.0 in S3.
Just didnt like the actor hes a bit wooden compared to Kate William's and definitely compare to her first love played by Theo James. That romance seemed more realistic, shame how it ended.
![Alexander & Charlotte Colbourne *S3* [] [Heybourne] ||Sanditon|| You Are the Reason *S3 *](/img/n.gif)
Colbourne looks so relaxed and happy when he is walking around his property with Charlotte. You can tell its the place where he grew up and felt free running around.
PBS .....there must be a season 4....so many story lines to follow!
This poor man is so broken. Having grown up with an alcoholic father, a physically abusive governess and an unfaithful wife who then committed suicide leaving him to shoulder the burden of her actions alone, it's no wonder that he thinks that he is undeserving of love. In his way, he is trying to protect the people whom he loves and cares for by keeping them at a distance because he thinks that he will only cause misery. Whatever confidence Alexander gained thanks to Charlotte's love, Colonel Rumpkin (Lennox) shattered it in one conversation. Even after Alexander regrets his words and his actions in dismissing Charlotte and tries to make amends, he's so awkwardly timid in his apology and Charlotte is so deeply wounded and rightfully so, that it all just falls spectacularly to pieces. I really hope that Alexander and Charlotte can reconcile. They both deserve to be happy and I think that they would be happy together. ❤️
@Susan Sparke I completely agree with your assessment of Lucy and Lennox's conduct and who they were as people. Alexander Colbourne, however, is a far more complex character, so it is easy to mistake what we are seeing when we look at this man and listen to him speak. Mrs. Wheatley warned Charlotte about doing that. In an interview, Ben Lloyd-Hughes talked about the challenges, as an actor, of portraying his character. During one of Janis and Maureen's discussions on The Sanditon Chronicles, it was mentioned that Justin Young, the lead scriptwriter, has said that there is a 10-page biography for Alexander Colbourne. Like Janice and Maureen, I too would pay good money to read that biography. Colbourne's personality is so complex that at times he seems inscrutable. It is this particular character who has caused me to revisit the historical record of what life was like during the time in which Jane Austen lived and wrote.
Alexander Colbourne does not have the profile of a broken man. In fact, his profile is far from that. Colbourne does not need our sympathy and certainly not our pity, but he does require our patience, our willingness to suspend immediate judgment, our understanding of the human dilemma, and our respect.
As a child, Colbourne was taught self-discipline. As an adult, he demands that of himself and he expects that of others. He conforms to and lives up to society's expectations, and he expects others to do so as well. Apparently, Colbourne married because that is what society expected of him, not because he loved Lucy. That is the failure that Colonel Lennox levels against Colbourne. Several times during S2, Lennox accuses Colbourne of failing Lucy, but his accusation is rather vague-with the exception of the moment just before Colbourne angrily storms out of the garden party. At that moment, Lennox points directly at what the accusation is when he says, "Never mind, Mr. Colbourne. You know what they say, all's fair in love and war. But then, I've known both, and you've known neither."
When Colbourne went to London and discovered that Lucy had failed, once again, to live up to society's expectations for a wife, he showed her "no pity, no compassion," which he soon came to regret for years to come. Instead, he allowed his angry emotions to rise to the surface and he excoriated her with his words, which effectively punished her. When Lucy died and left an innocent, helpless infant behind, Colbourne picked up the shattered pieces of their lives, shouldered the responsibilities of parenthood, and closed the door to a society that he neither liked nor respected nor condoned, and which he would certainly not have financially supported. Alexander Colbourne and Tom Parker are fundamentally at odds.
Do you recall what Augusta said to her uncle about being a human being? Of course, humans are imperfect creatures. We all have flaws and imperfections and emotions. But Colbourne seems to have a low tolerance for human flaws and imperfections, and he carefully guards his emotions and keeps them under control-except when he is in the presence of Charlotte. It is those lapses of self-control that Colbourne finds unsettling, disturbing, and ultimately intolerable. So, he chooses to remove the source that causes his human emotions to quickly and repeatedly-and inevitably-rise to the surface.
Colbourne expects himself and other to live up to standards that the average human is simply incapable of-which is precisely why he is immediately both frustrated and intrigued by Charlotte when they first meet. Charlotte is far from average-and, in that respect, it is obvious that she and Augusta and Colbourne share something in common. What is noticeably and significantly different about these three characters is that Charlotte and Augusta (with Charlotte's help) have been able to hold on to their own humanity and allow other humans to come into their lives and forge emotional connections with them.
This is the journey that Alexander Colbourne is on. As I am sure you already know, Charlotte freed Colbourne from years of guilt when she said, "You bear no blame," and when she told him why it was necessary for him to finally forgive himself for the harsh words that he said to Lucy. Colbourne's superior intellect and ability to reason allowed him to move quickly and instinctively along the path that Charlotte pointed to-but he has now reached a critical crossroad, and the questions are: Which path will he choose to take? Can he navigate that path successfully? Where will that path ultimately take him?
PART 2
Unfortunately, I do not think that you are alone in viewing Alexander Colbourne as a broken man. Although I certainly do not share that view, it may be the common view of this man-despite the fact that, as I said, Colbourne does not have a broken man's profile. By the way, I've never been entirely convinced that Colbourne's father was an alcoholic. Alcoholics have physical characteristics that would preclude an ability to excel at a sport such as archery. As for Colbourne's statement, "I'm nothing like my father," the very fact that just minutes later he shows himself to also be highly skilled at archery would suggest that his reply to Lady Dunham is not entirely true.
Regarding his own governess's method of disciplining, corporal punishment in child rearing was by no means unusual or considered brutal or abusive when applied in the manner that Colbourne described. Charlotte's comment and the notion that you expressed are actually quite recent. "When it is inflicted on minors, especially in home and school settings, its methods may include spanking or paddling," with, for example, a leather belt, a hairbrush or ruler, or a switch." In reality, based upon Colbourne's description of the governess's disciplinary actions, it is unlikely that anyone in Austen's era would have characterized that as "physically abusive," and there is no reason to believe that either he or his brother were any more worse for the wear than any of their peers, since they would have been disciplined in the same manner.
In a few other Sanditon-tribute videos where I have commented, I have mentioned the unusual and surprising sophistication of the Sanditon script, without elaborating on my reasons for saying that. I don't wish to do so here either, but perhaps I should point out one pertinent historical fact. Jane Austen lived and wrote during the time in which the proponents of The Age of Enlightenment were being challenged by thinkers of The Age of Romanticism, which ultimately dominated early 19th century culture (and which is the period when Austen began writing Sanditon, not long before her death in 1817). The general perception is that writers and artists gravitated towards Romanticism, while scientists continued to favor the Enlightenment. Presumably, Sanditon's scriptwriters would be well-grounded in the history of that period and how the traditional and the changing views of that time would likely have influenced Austen's thinking and writing. In general, romanticists believed that the advances made by the human intellect and reason had created an oppressive and conformist society and that science and reason could never even hope to truly and fundamentally understand the natural world and the human psyche. Modern progress, they argued, came at the price of natural human freedoms, the human spirit, and the human need to freely explore the untried and the unknown. If you watch and listen closely to Sanditon's characters, these recurring themes and conflicts become apparent.
Susan thank you. I appreciate your beautiful brevity in sharing an understanding of Colbourne many of us, learned or otherwise, wisely share. TY TY!
@@Jean-wk7on I always enjoy reading your comments because you don't make comments without showing evidence or make comments that you can't explain or defend. Sometimes I look for your comments. I agree with you. Besides, the writers wouldn't have created a "broken" man for Jane Austen's heroine and then try to convince us that he is perfect for her. Anyway, thanks again for your excellent analysis. ❤
I agree with your excellent analysis with one exception. I was really angry at Mr. Colbourne for falling for Col. Lennox very obvious ploy. (The song title, What Have I Done? is a perfect description of how he must have been feeling as she ran from his study.)
However, when Mr. Colbourne realized his blunder and went within hours of his mistake to apologize, I was shocked by Charlotte's reaction. Three times he tried to apologize and each time she cut him off with eyes so hard and cold she was virtually unrecognizable as the sweet girl we'd come to love over the last two seasons.
It was only in the last two episodes of S1 that Sidney Parker showed Charlotte any affection at all. Then, while he finally did something honorable for his brother by sacrificing his own desires to save Tom from possible ruin and debtor's prison, he ultimately rejected Charlotte and broke her heart. But having seen the video called Sidney Parker Behaving Like an Emotionally Constipated Narcissist for 16 Minutes Straight (I think that is the title) I was appalled to see all Sidney's insults, condescension, and selfishness strung together in near consecutive order. It was a lot.
I accidentally deleted S1 from my DVR after keeping it for two years, so I won't be able to quote this verbatim, but remember when Sidney said to Charlotte "Who are you? No one. Where do you come from? Nowhere." and then something to the effect of "I don't think of you at all."
And Charlotte says to Mr. Colbourne "I could never feel such tenderness for someone who showed me so little respect." Girl, do you have amnesia?
@@lisatea5779 Hi, Lisa. I completely agree with everything you said about Sidney Parker-and I could not have said it better. But keep in mind, during the early part of Sidney and Charlotte's relationship nothing romantic had taken place between them. They weren't even friends, and they were barely on speaking terms. So, that was a completely different dynamic. There was only one way for that relationship to go. It couldn't have gotten any worse, unless they had threatened to kill each other. So, the only place for that relationship to go was up.
Colbourne did not apologize to Charlotte when he went to the Parkers' home. To be honest, after the performance that he gave in his office, I have absolutely no idea what kind of apology could possibly have saved him from a cold, not-on-your-life rejection.
Lisa, because Charlotte freely acknowledged that she had been a willing participant, what Colbourne said to Charlotte when he dismissed her implied that he is a gentleman and a man of honor and she was nothing more than another member of his staff and an easily had slut. As if that wasn't bad enough, Colbourne had the audacity to go to the Parkers' home and follow that humiliation up with, "The house misses you . . . yadda, yadda, yadda." He was speaking to her as if they are in completely different social classes, which they are not. The questions Charlotte's put to him and her response were exactly what they should have been. And Charlotte further showed her strong sense of self-respect and dignity by not allowing Colbourne to see her break down and cry. She held back the tears until he had left the room. This is a very sensible young woman who deserves everyone's respect.
Apparently, Colbourne took Charlotte's open-hearted, gentle kindness for availability and weakness. At this point, Colbourne is in a position where he is now forced to either figure out how he really feels about Charlotte or lose Charlotte forever.
I genuinely like Alexander Colbourne, but what Colbourne said to her made it crystal clear that Charlotte Heywood could not return to Heyrick Park as his governess. Colbourne has made that all too obvious.
The scene of him on Hannibal racing to Sanditon gets me whenever I watch S2 Ep6. In such a hurry to try and correct his error. But of course, it's not yet to be as S3 awaits. I am mesmerized by BLH portrayal of Colbourne. Ben is in a class all his own as a performer. Phenomenal!!!
I've said it before . . . but, Charlotte is utterly gorgeous !
She really is beautiful inside and out!
Oh Stephen, you really are smitten with her aren't you! I agree she is gorgeous!
Magic!
What had he done indeed? He has kicked open the doorway into Season Three where we all hope he will get himself together!
And while we are all obsessing about how our chosen two will find their way back to each other, let’s spare a kind thought for poor Ralph!
Amen. . .
@@peggylittle9968 I bet once S3 starts none of us are going to think "poor Ralph". We are all going to start dreaming up ways of getting rid of Ralph so Charlotte will be free to marrying Xander!
But not with Charlotte.
love this song is great for him
Love this, lovely lyrics to match❤
Thank you for a wonderful melding of story & song!! Looking forward to Season 3 and this couple's hopefully happy ending!
Wonderful!
This is fantastic video of the Heybourne's finding/losing love story. I can't get enough of this couple as I wait in great anticipation of season 3. Thank you for your beautiful edit.
After days of not seeing a response from you to a different conversation we were having and my answers to your questions, I just realized that, for some reason, the first of my two recent responses to you is not showing up. This morning, I tried posting it again several times, in three parts (just in case the issue is length, but I don't think so). I think video creators do have some control over which comments are visible. Apparently, my responses to your questions are being blocked.
@@Jean-wk7on Thank you Jean for the reply. I'm sorry that your messages have disappeared. I'm very interested in what you have to say concerning this relationship and Sanditon in general. I'm sure we don't or won't agree on everything but I love to see other peoples view and how they came to it. Susan Firth has a Sanditon community forum on her channel if you would like to take the conversation there we can. I have a busy schedule today but will have some time later this evening to continue this converstion.
@@1ofSevensisters Part 2 has posted, but part 1 is not showing up. Possibly there is a daily word limit on YT now. Who know? Sorry.
@
1ofSevensisters In case you didn't get a notification, a few days ago, I posted PART 2 of my response where you suggested. See "Are they villains or just misunderstood?" in Susan Firth's Community Forum.
@@Jean-wk7on Oh thank you. No I didn't get notification. I will go and read it over there and reply to it as soon as I can.
Great song choice and video👏👏👏👏👏
This is perfect 🥰, of all the videos songs, this is it!
Great edit and song choice!
Another good one!
Thank you so much! I love making Heybourne Edits!
Keep on! You do it so perfectly!😊
That was SOOO good..Thank you!
Great song n video 🥰
I love this. Magnificent
Love the song - such a great pairing with the story of Charlotte & Alexander. Well done
Thank you!
Bellissimo! Loro due non smetteranno mai di farmi battere il cuore e tremare. La terza stagione non sarà mai abbastanza vicina.
Как называется фильм?
@@nadya.467Sanditon. On itv in UK. Or PBS in US
Good God, Colbourne! What have you done? Fate presented you with the perfect mate for you, and what did you do? You allowed someone else to distract you and then blind you to the opportunity that was right in front of you-and you blew it, repeatedly! If this were a real-life scenario, everyone observing your choices would be deeply concerned. Luckily for you and all of your anxious observers, we are virtually guaranteed a Jane-Austenesque ending-eventually. For heaven's sake, man. Do you not know that fate only presents us with opportunities? That's it! We are all free agents. It is the choices that we make that create our destiny!
Thank you, Krissy! I've returned to your video more times than I'd care to admit. This song is absolutely perfect for Colbourne and Charlotte, given the final episode of S2.
Jean, I always look for and read your commentary on a Sanditon video because it is always so insightful. I have spent far too much time rewatching this series in the hopes of figuring out where I think the writers are going to take their story. No doubt they are together by the time the final credits roll but it's the mushy middle is where all the drama will be. What that drama will be is the question! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
@@1ofSevensisters Thank you, 1ofSevensisters (If that is indeed true, you are quite fortunate.). I try to always respond to comments sent to me, and value the insights that have been shared. So, I gain as much as I've given.
@@Jean-wk7on Thank you for the reply. I am, indeed, the middle of seven sisters. My mother had 9 children. The first and last were boys with the seven of us sisters filling up the space in between them. We have a close bond and are the best of friends so I am truly blessed and fortunate especially because a few of them are even Jane Austen fans as I am.
Would you mind sharing your thoughts on something I've been puzzling over. Please don't feel obligated to respond. I will not be offended if you don't. I'm trying to figure out the relationship dynamics of these 3 people.
Do you think that Colbourne knew that Lucy and Lennox were "sweethearts" (in a relationship) before Colbourne married Lucy ? After watching Sanditon a few times, it is my belief that Colbourne didn't know about Lennox & Lucy's relationship. If he had, I don't think he would have married her. Perhaps Col Lennox was off to war and Lucy married Colbourne (who had just inherited his family's estate) while Lennox was away. Lennox returned to London and found out about Lucy's marriage and that is why Lennox believes that Colbourne stole Lucy from him. I wonder why Lennox is blaming Colbourne for the marriage rather than blaming Lucy for not waiting for him? Would Lucy have married Lennox even if she hadn't married Colbourne? Do you think Colbourne loved Lucy when he married her? How long do you think Colbourne and Lucy married before she had the affair with Lennox?
Both Col. Lennox and Colbourne accuse each other of abandoning Lucy. Colbourne tells Charlotte about going to London and finding Lucy pregnant and abandoned by Col Lennox. Col Lennox says he found Lucy in a terrible state, lost and abandoned when he met her in London. Colbourne replies that he knew he could have been a better husband but never abandoned her. Why would Lucy tell Col Lennox that she had been abandoned by her husband when it wasn't true? Do you think it was true or was Lucy hoping to renew her prior relationship with Lennox and needed to give him a reason for her unhappiness? Was Lucy unhappy because she had not conceived a child with Colbourne which caused her to believe she was unable to have children?
Col Lennox appears to not have realized that Lucy was pregnant with his child because Leo was a surprise to him. Col Lennox may have been away on one of the Napoleon war campaigns at the time that Lucy discovered her pregnancy. Lennox left Lucy in London but not necessarily because she was with child as Colbourne's statement to Charlotte made it seem like he did.
It's obvious that Lucy was a social butterfly and Colbourne is more of a homebody so the chances of them ever being contented together were slim at best.
@@1ofSevensisters Regarding something I neglected to mention earlier: Yes, what you suspect about Lennox's knowledge of the pregnancy is correct. The reason why Lennox told Charlotte "for reasons I do not comprehend, he destroyed her" is because he assumed that Colbourne never knew about his affair with Lucy. If Lennox had know that Lucy carried his child, it would have been quite clear to him that her husband would have been outraged and furious with Lucy when he discovered her condition (which also suggests that Lennox knew that Lucy and Colbourne were not sexually intimate with each other). It is not until Leo goes to the army's encampment and speaks with Lennox that he becomes aware of the condition Lucy was in when they were with each other for the last time.
Below is the dialogue.
PICNIC AT HEYRICK PARK (S2E3)
Charlotte: Where did you learn that?
Augusta: My mother.
Charlotte: What was she like?
Augusta: Pretty. Kind. Sad.
Charlotte: Why sad?
Augusta: She had a twin. Leoneora's mother. But after Aunt Lucy died, it was as if my mother lost half of herself-especially, given the circumstances.
Charlotte: What happened? Nobody ever seems to speak of her.
Augusta:That's because my uncle cannot bear to hear her name.
Leonora: Father! Look, it's father.
Charlotte: Mr. Colbourne.
Colbourne:I won't disturb you.
Charlotte:How is Hannibal, sir?
Colbourne: Recovering. Thank you! He sends his regards.
Charlotte: Be sure to send him mine in return.
Leo: We're having a picknic, father. and learning about wildflowers. Say you will join us, please.
Augusta: There is no need, uncle. I am certain you would rather do almost anything else.
Colbourne: I could spare a few moments.
Colbourne: So, what has Miss Heywood been teaching you this morning, Augusta?
Augusta: Not a great deal. As you arrived, she was asking about Aunt Lucy.
Charlotte: Miss Marcum was saying her mother and your late wife were close.
Colbourne: Yes. Inseparable.
Augusta: Aunt Lucy often used to stay with us. Somehow she always felt happier in London then
Colbourne: You were just a child, Augusta. Your memories cannot be relied upon.
Augusta: Perhaps she felt as I do, trapped!
Colbourne: We have discussed this. You will be introduced to society when you are ready.
Augusta: When will that be, uncle, since you seem to be so determined to avoid the company of those around you? When I'm 30?
Charlotte: Miss Marcum, I am sure your uncle only has your best interests at heart.
(Leo returns to the picnic blanket holding cornflowers, and the conversation immediately switches to them.)
MID-SUMMER FAIR (S2E3)
There is some chatting between them about the escaping balloon, Arthur saving the day, and Colbourne (which Lennox clearly doesn't like). Charlotte climbs out of the balloon, walks away, and Lennox follows her until he gets her attention.
(45:35) Lennox: From the moment we met, you have spoken to me with candor. I fear I have not repaid the courtesy. It's against my nature to impugn another man's character, but I must warn you to be on your guard against Mr. Colbourne.
(45:52) Charlotte: Why?
(45:54) Lennox: Please just take my word.
(45:56) Charlotte: With respect, you can't warn me on such strong terms without evidence.
(46:04) Lennox: Some years ago, there was a young lady who meant a great deal to me. She had a fierce, bright spirit-not unlike your own. Her name was Lucy.
(46:22) Charlotte: His wife.
(46:25) Lennox: Colbourne stole her from me, Miss Heywood, and then for reasons I do not comprehend, he destroyed her.
EAST WING AT HEYRICK PARK (S2E4)
Augusta: It's the thing I remember best about my aunt, her beautiful dresses.
Augusta: She was always so elegant, but this . . . this is my favorite. I remember her wearing it to a ball in London, with my mother and father.
Charlotte: And Mr. Colbourne.
Augusta: He rarely came to London with her. He's always been solatery.
GARDEN PARTY (S2E4)
Lennox: You chose not to heed my warning, I see.
Charlotte: Is it not possible he has changed?
Lennox: I very much doubt it, but for your sake I'll try to be civil.
Colbourne: Take your hands off her.
Charlotte: He's trying to help.
Lennox: She is the very image of her aunt, which was in my arms as if Lucy had come back to me.
(Shortly after the archery contest.)
Lennox: Never mind, Mr. Colbourne. You know what they say, all's fair in love and war. But then, I've known both, and you've known neither.
HEYRICK PARK DRAWING ROOM (S2E5)
Charlotte and Colbourne's drawing room dialogue - S2E5
Colbourne: Lucy and I married young. I had not long inherited this house.
Colbourne: She wanted to stay in London, with the heart of society-and I did not.
Colbourne: So, she stayed for a final season and I came back here.
Charlotte: That's where she met Colonel Lennox?
Colbourne: Captain, as he then was. I never thought what stranger she and I had become.
Colbourne: She wrote, delaying her return-pleading illness.
Colbourne: Months went by without a word. At last my curiosity conquered my pride.
Colbourne: I went to London-only to find she was with child.
Charlotte: His child?
Colbourne: Nods his head, then says, He had abandoned her-and she was too scared and ashamed to face me.
Colbourne: I showed her no pity, no compassion.
Charlotte: You're not to blame.
Colbourne: The words I spoke torment me to this day. She became a ghost of her former self, and not long after the child was born . . .
Charlotte: Go on.
Colbourne: Lucy knew she was not strong when she walked out into the rain that night. She must have known.
Charlotte: That is why it pains you to be in Leo's company. She's a living reminder.
Colbourne: I so wanted to tell you, but I was afraid of what you would think of me.
Charlotte: You should not endure such recrimination after so long. Forgive yourself.
Colbourne: I cannot! I cannot!
Charlotte: You must! Else the past will thwart the future. A future that I imagine could be very dear indeed.
HEYRICK PARK DRAWING ROOM (S2E5)
Charlotte: Miss Markham, what cheerful tune is this?
Augusta: You're quite right. I'll stop and take pause to apprehend all the wonderful other diversions ahead which I am sure will be an exquisite day.
Charlotte: What ever is the matter?
Mrs. Wheatley: The ball. She believes the garden party thwarted any chances of letting her return.
Charlotte: Well, naturally. For a man of Mr. Colbourne's disposition, to be surround by happy company enjoying lively conversation, I think nothing could be more disagreeable.
Mrs. Wheatly: Mind your tongue please, Miss Heywood. Mr. Colbourne doesn't deserve to be spoken of with such contempt.
Charlotte: Forgive me, but the man I've seen (Mrs. Wheatley interrupts her.)
Mrs. Wheatley: And how long have you known him? There is more to Mr. Colbourne than you can possibly imagine.
ARMY'S ENCAMPMENT (S2E6)
Colbourne: I came to thank you for sparing Leonora the truth.
Lennox: What good would have come of it. I only hope you take better care of her than you did of her mother.
Colbourne: Whatever you told Miss Heywood (Lennox interrupts him.)
Lennox: I remember the state Lucy was in when I first met her. Lost. Abandoned.
Colbourne: I know I could have been a better husband, but I never would have abandoned her.
Colbourne: It was you who preyed upon her vulnerabilities. It was you who made a victim of her.
Lennox: All I did was offer her the comfort her husband couldn't. You know I speak the truth.
(Colbourne turns around to walk away.)
Lennox: Miss Heywood's clearly in love with you. Can you trust yourself not to fail her as you failed Lucy?
Colbourne: You're not fit to speak their names.
Great video! Thanks ☺
Sanditon Season 2 has not long finished airing on ITV in the UK. I much preferred it to Season 1 in that I really was not fussed on the pairing of Sidney and Charlotte, just didn't think they fitted at all. So I wasn't that bothered that he wasn't coming back. However, I do think Charlotte and Alexander are another story! They just weren't ready for eachother yet, but fingers crossed for much more time given to their relationship in season 3! Their scenes together so far were great but I don't think the relationship was given enough screen time, and too many other storylines were going on for just 6 episodes. However , for Season 3, I hope this will be rectified significantly!!! But I do wonder how there are going to be enough instances created where they end up in eachothers company! Hoping for accidental 'bump into you' moments, and various social events i.e. balls, fairs and the bonfire night! Also, Alexander is going to have to fight for her and show and proclaim his feelings, she deserves to be pursued, after being so let down in seasons 1 and 2. Which is why I hope Ralph won't hang around as the fiance for too many episodes (rolls eyes!) so that we can get some proper romantic interactions between AC and CH. Because of course we know that his integrity would not allow CH to pursue an engaged woman. But he still has to make some major efforts to be in her company. They really need to get much more screen time together for Season 3!
Obvs there are going to be some bumps in the road before they officially get together, but do we think there will be any passionate moments, other than the expected longing looks, interrupted conversations etc? I definitely think there will be a couple of emotionally heightened dances, and lots of angst but I would like the last couple of episodes to at least see them having some fun together and smiles on their faces because those instances have been few so far, we the audience deserve to see some playful, happy moments between them! Also, I know it falls outside the realm of usual JA tropes, as things tend to end with a wedding , but can we please get some post wedding life! Even just a few scenes to allow a glimpse into their happy future as a couple and family unit..... I.e..... Evening of the wedding, he carries her upstairs to the bedroom.... Passionate kiss ensues, and the door closes behind them.... No graphic scenes required! (This is NOT bridgerton... Thank goodness!) But there definitely needs to be a couple of extra romantic scenes! Then to round it all off a few months post wedding, the family walking in the grounds of Heyrick, drone shots from behind, with AC And CH walking ahead arm in arm and Leo running behind with Augusta, the new puppy and Luna! then you see them both turn around to look at Leo and we see that there is a baby bump! A bit of a cliche, I know, but for me, that would round things off nicely! In some ways, it's a shame that both season 2 and 3 had to be filmed together as it doesn't allow for audience feedback to inform the showrunners of our thoughts/hopes for the final season! So let's hope massively that they give us what we wish for with some classic JA inspired romance! I don't want it to all be angst right up until the last episode because then we would barely get any loving or happy interactions between them until the very end ... Which would be a real shame because we need to see them finally joyful together with no further misunderstandings....! Thoughts anyone? ☺
You did ask. I hate Charlotte with Colburne. She will always belong to Sidney.
Krissy, another brilliant masterpiece of video editing and song choice that shows the Alexander arc. Just wanted to let you know that 50 other fans on Sanditon Sites loved this video.
Thank you so much! I couldn’t love these characters more and many of their emotions are so beautifully expressed through song 🎶
And 7 million viewers want Charlotte and Sidney back together!
AMAZING. ACTORS.... LOVE. SERBIA... FOREVER... ❤️💋💋💋♥️
This gives me goosebumps! ❤️❤️
Charlotte is doubly devastated by Colbourne's clumsy pulling away from her because her sister is deliriously happy and just got engaged! When Charlotte walks up to Colbourne and the girls outside and he asks to speak to her alone I think she is expecting a proposal from him!
Yes!! I’ve felt this as well! She was devastated he didn’t propose.
This poor man has a broken 💔 ,I so hope Charlotte can mend it again ,I know they could be one happy family and these two deserve to be happy
No. Colbourne doesn't have a broken heart, and he's not broken. The woman he married didn't love him, and he didn't love her. That's why their marriage was a DISASTER. So he decided never to marry again. THAT'S the PROBLEM!
Charlotte belongs with Sidney not this creep that thinks she is beneath him.
@@judithadams6599 how is he a creep? And he thinks he's not good enough for her, not that he's above her.
Colburne what have you done? Great song choice. Who is the artist? Thanks enjoyed my re visit to Sandition ❤️
Thank you so much! The artist is Irish singer Dermot Kennedy. Love!
What have I done……exactly my thoughts…..it’s (she is) waking him up
AC doesn't have a broken heart, and he is not a broken man. Colbourne married soon after he inherited Heyrick Park because that's what 19th century society expected of him. Lucy married for the same reason. Colbourne didn't love Lucy, and Lucy didn't love Colbourne. Their marriage was an absolute disaster. Lucy stayed in London most of the time, and Colbourne lived at Heyrick Park. That, and the very fact that, to put it bluntly, Colbourne was not screwing his wife, are the reasons why they had no children. Marriage was such a bad experience for him that he swore never to marry again. The PROBLEM is, for the first time Colbourne thinks he may be in love, and he is not sure what to do. That's why he keeps twisting the signet ring he wears. During JA's time, men who didn't want marriage often wore a signet ring on their pinky.
I don't believe Mr. Colbourne is a broken man to the point he'd be an unsuitable partner for Charlotte, or she wouldn't have been able to make such a difference in their lives in such a short period of time. I think he is a wounded, humiliated man, absorbed by his work and neglectful of "his children" because frankly he doesn't know what to do with them.
I believe he and his wife were mismatched in terms of personality and interests. Many couples of this era and social class had their marriages arranged for the sake of family fortune or influence and courtships were short. You might very well find yourself married to someone you found attractive but really didn't know. (Aren't Elizabeth Bennett's parents one such example?)
Mr. Colbourne seems more serious and educated, Lucy more social and perhaps flighty. I do believe he loved her, or he wouldn't be so "cut up." If he never loved her, I think the first thing he would have done was take down that portrait from the wall and burn all her dresses. He might still be reclusive because of the embarrassment, but I think the fact he can't bring himself to say her name or listen to her spinet says he did love her.
After the ball, he confessed to Charlotte that he hadn't noticed what strangers he and Lucy had become to one another. Just like a man. I hear a lot of modern couples who end their marriages because they "grew apart." And these people were all love matches presumably with plenty of time for courtship and getting to know one another.
Last week I read about the Duke of Wellington who was rejected by a young woman because he wasn't wealthy or influential enough when he was young. He spent ten years thinking about how lovely she was and while he made a fortune in those ten years, he made an offer for her without meeting her again. Once he did, he found she'd grown fat. He was too honorable to "cry off" and once they were married found that she was also rather stupid and annoying.
Mr. Colbourne could certainly be experiencing a more profound love for Charlotte (than he did for Lucy) as he shares some of her interests and admires her abilities and intellect. I suspect he was trying to figure out how to transition from employer to suitor without upsetting the girls or putting at risk the relationship they'd already developed when Col. Lennox's words made him fall back into that pit of insecurity where he felt unworthy of love, or at least unworthy of Charlotte.
@@lisatea5779 Hi, Lisa. Based upon what you wrote, it appears that you (as well as some other people) were not listening closely to the scriptwriters' dialogue. I admit, Sanditon is not an easy script to follow, and according to the head scriptwriter, Justin Young, they wanted to create mystery. So, Sanditon is very much like a puzzle. It's important that we have a clear sense of who these characters are as people. Anyone who doesn't have that is inevitable going to quickly get lost, because the pieces to the puzzle are scattered all over the script. The different characters give us pieces to the puzzle, so we have to listen carefully to what each of the characters says.
1. In the first place, Lucy died in London. Heyrick Park is on the outskirts of Sanditon. No one in Sanditon, with the exception of Charlotte and possibly Mrs. Wheatly and his other staff, has ever known anything about the circumstances of Lucy's death. That is mentioned in the script. Therefore, there would be absolutely no reason for him to be embarrassed about anything even if he had cause to be.
2. The night Colbourne and Charlotte sat together in his drawing room, he told her exactly what he has been suffering from for 9 years. Colbourne said, "I showed her no pity. No compassion." Then, he said, "The words I spoke torment me to this day." With those words, the writers make it very clear that Alexander Colbourne has been tormented by and suffering from guilt for 9 long years. Colbourne's primary characteristics are that he is a man of great integrity and compassion. (Think about how he treats his horse and his dog. Those scenes are in there for a reason. The writers are drawing a contrast.) Yet, that was how he spoke to Lucy.
Colbourne believes that he is responsible for Lucy's death, and he was never able to forgive himself for that before he told Charlotte what he was suffering from and why. Think about how a man like Colbourne would feel, believing that he was responsible for another person's death. For the past 9 years Colbourne has been doing penance for the sin he believes he committed by destroying another person. A man like Colbourne would not have changed or even touched anything that the person whose death he believed he caused had created. According to an article in Architectural Digest, Lucy decorated the main level of the house. Colbourne's guilt is also the reason why he avoided being around Leo and Augusta, two people who he clearly cares about. Colbourne is afraid of ever destroying anyone else ever again.
3. Look at Alexander Colbourne, watch him, listen to him speak. That man doesn't have an insecure bone in his body. Colbourne has never felt unworthy of love from Charlotte or anyone else. (Nothing like that is anywhere in the script.) A man who feels unworthy of a woman is not going to take that woman in his arms and kiss her, and certainly not the way Colbourne does.
4. Colbourne and Lucy married young. We can assume that they were fond of each other, but it is also clear that they didn't know each other well before they married. Lucy loved London society; Colbourne detested London society. According to Augusta and her uncle, Lucy spent a great deal of time in London; she and her sister were inseparable. Colbourne never mentions the word love when he talks about Lucy. Colbourne said, "I hadn't realized how far apart Lucy and I had grown." Their original feelings for each other didn't grow into love; those feelings grew into cold, detached indifference. Colbourne said, "At last my curiosity conquered my pride. I went to London . . . ." Curiosity is not love or even concern.
5. Colonel Lennox repeatedly tells Colbourne that he failed Lucy. Lennox was right; Colbourne failed to ever love his wife because he was never able to accept her for who she was as a person. He had no more interest in being with Lucy than he had in being in London. Augusta implied that when she told Charlotte that her uncle rarely came to London with her aunt. Lennox said, "I have known love and war. You have known neither." Because Lennox accepted Lucy for who she was, he was able to love her. Lucy had no reason to want to stay at Heyrick Park because everything she cared about was in London. Augusta was right when she said her aunt felt trapped. Lucy and Colbourne were both trapped in a marriage without love. Lucy knew that Colbourne didn't love her, and Colbourne knew that Lucy didn't love him. Colbourne told Charlotte, "Lucy and I married young." For them, there seemed to be no way out of a mistake they made when they were young.
6. Lennox loved Lucy, and he asked Colbourne an important question that Colbourne didn't know the answer to. "Can you trust yourself not to fail Charlotte as you failed Lucy?" Colbourne doesn't know if his feelings for Charlotte will grow into love. In order for that to happen, Colbourn has to accept Charlotte for who she is, not for who he wants her to be. Charlotte helped Colbourne to accept Leo and Augusta for who they are as people. That is the journey that Alexander Colbourne is now on with Charlotte. If he cannot accept Charlotte for who she is as a person, he will never be able to love her.
That is the Sanditon we have been watching. The story that you and a few other people have created in your heads is not Sanditon.
Now that I've shown you those pieces to the puzzle, you should be able to accurately answer simple questions like:
Was Colbourne suffering from a broken heart? The obvious answer is, No! Of course not! He was suffering from the pain of guilt.
Was Lennox right when he said Colbourne failed Lucy and he abandoned her? The clear answer is, Yes! Colbourne never accepted Lucy for who she was, so he was never able to love her. When Colbourne rejected London society and left London, he rejected Lucy and abandoned her.
Is Colbourne a broken man? Of course not! There is absolutely nothing broken about him. Colbourne is a man of integrity who knows that if he doesn't know the answer to Lennox's question (now that he knows that Charlotte is in love with him, because Lennox told him that she is), then he had to release Charlotte. That is what Colbourne realizes and struggles with as he rides his horse along the beach. And that is exactly what he did when he forced Charlotte to leave Heyrick Park by dismissing her. Colbourne's doesn't want to repeat the same mistake he made when he married Lucy. That mistake ended in disaster and Lucy's death. Colbourne doesn't want to make that mistake again or take that risk again.
@@Lorraine403X I agree Colbourne is not suffering from a broken heart, but guilt, good observation, but not sure the blame for her death can be put squarely on his shoulders. Also in 1815/16/17 a woman would have more normally been expected to stay by her husbands side rather than he go running about after her.
@@Lorraine403X my reading, your point 2 and point 3 seem to contradict each other. Big feelings of guilt and believing himself responsible do not sit alongside a man without an insecure bone in his body. How else was Lennox able to make him give up Charlotte so easy if he was so self confident.
The estate was left to AC saddled with debt, + he married young; Augusta is to inherit a small fortune... Could the marriage between AC and Lucy have been Lucy's money? (Hence the large portrait of her in the foyer.) ...to save Heyrick Park? Would that have compounded his feelings of guilt following her death?... Just a thought.
Cómo se llama la serie y donde puedo verla desde el principio?
La serie se llama Sanditon. Depende en qué país? En los Estados Unidos, se puede ver en PBS Masterpiece
So, first there was Sidney Parker. Now, some people think Jane Austen's heroine has fallen in love with a broken man, instead of a man who simply had never been in love before? Well, if those people were right, Ralph would probably be Charlotte's best option since at least he's not broken. If I thought those people were right, I would not be looking forward to S3.
Charlotte belongs with Sidney forever
SP was never right for her he was a smoker drinker and a debaucher to boot not to mention he ignorant arrogant he loved Eliza and wanted to marry her in the first place but she married for money
I don't get the writing for this show! Why is Charlotte only *attracted* to men shout, yell, ,scream, get really scary angry at her and and then dump her? What's wrong with her?? And whats wrong with the writing staff for this show??
Sadly there are too many angry (I prefer stoic for AC) and women whose role is to save them... In literature, film and Disney princess movies as well as IRL. Male egos.
But all turns out well in the end. Tee-up Colbourne 2.0 in S3.
Just didnt like the actor hes a bit wooden compared to Kate William's and definitely compare to her first love played by Theo James. That romance seemed more realistic, shame how it ended.