a Harlots season 3 wish list
Now that Harlots has officially been renewed for season 3 (HUZZAH), a quick list of some of the things I want, or DON’T want, to see from certain characters...
Charlotte: As much as I admire and appreciate Charlotte’s growing maturity, I kinda wanna see more of that reckless, impulsive side of her we saw so much of in s1? I think acting out a bit would help show her struggle to adapt to being a bawd, which I don’t think is something she’s ever wanted and not something that’s gonna come easily to her. Would also like her to find a lasting love (I’m not a big fan of the new-love-interest-per-season format, so I’m ready for something to stick). Also, I am literally begging the costume designer from season 1 to start styling her again, Charlotte was a fucking glam goth fashion ICON in s1 and the absolutely hideous neck ruffles and color combinations of s2 were an unforgivable crime.
Nancy & Lucy: Combining these two because what I really want to see most from both of them is for their relationship to be further explored. We know that Lucy really looks up to Nance, and a lot of thought the end of season 1 seemed to be setting her up as Lucy’s mentor. I think that’s worth revisiting. I think that would really benefit them both. Lucy is fresh off yet ANOTHER traumatic experience with a terrible client, and they both must be aching for Margaret. I feel like if Nance took Lucy under her wing, Lucy would get to explore an avenue of sex work that might better suit her, Nancy would realize that she isn’t nearly as alone in the world as she sometimes feels, and they’d both get the comfort of a surrogate mother--daughter bond.
Amelia: Remember at the end of s1 when Flo and Amelia said they were gonna found a house of penitence? Let’s revisit that! One of the points Hunt made during his whole marriage pitch was that Amelia could accomplish great things if she had the right position in society, and while he can no longer offer her quite the standing he could when he was justice, if they do marry (which seems likely) she’ll still have greater standing and greater access to resources than ever before in her life. I’d love to see her use that in service of some sort of goal that lets her stretch her wings, commit herself to a task, and expand her charitable mission.
Hunt: Very interested in what sort of new profession Hunt might get, but what matters most is that we keep up that positive character development!! I love that Josiah’s a man of principles, but we want to keep working toward anchoring those principles to a foundation of mercy and compassion, ya feel? Maybe that can be reflected by having his new profession still be in law enforcement / social reform, but approached with a very different ethos than he had at the start of s2. At any rate, please, Josiah: end Violet’s indenture, hire her as your eyes and ears, and please please PLEASE don’t let the Love Triangle turn you into a big huge irredeemable jerk.
Violet: I really want to learn more about Violet’s backstory, and I really want to see her get more of an active, self-directed arc in her own right, as opposed to sort of playing second fiddle to Amelia like she has thus far. So, keep pursuing that whole “eyes and ears” thing, but make it a really interesting and fulfilling profession for Violet. Work things out happily between her and Amelia, preferably without utterly destroying Hunt in the process, and maybe even reunite her with Betsey! Also, give her a sword.
Limehouse Nell: I just want more of anything from Nell, really. Where does she come from (besides Limehouse)? What’s her story? What does she want out of life? Harriet’s clearly set up to be the bawd of their new house, but I can definitely see Nell stepping up into a sort of lieutenant role and being a very good second-in-command.
Abigail: Would like to see her again, though I’m a little worried about the possible circumstances. She’s basically a Chekhov’s gun that’s escaped from the wall and is running loose somewhere with all her knowledge about Harcourt and Lydia and Charlotte — it’d feel weird if that gun never goes off.
Hannah: More please! More funny Irish gal. More backstory. It’s cool that she and Sukey are tight already, but I’d love to see them both interacting more with Fanny, maybe drawing her out of her shell of grief somewhat and becoming dear friends to her, like Kitty was.
Margaret: Just bring her home. But, like... in a way that doesn’t get her or Josiah hanged?? Give us beautiful tearful family reunion scenes and a minimum of tragedy please, that’s all I ask.
And last but certainly not least!
Lidington & Harcourt: DIE.
