WILL Episode 7

Episode 7 of WILL brings a fire to the theater, a fire later found out, by Will, to be set by Presto.  This further jeopardizes the livelihood of the Burbage Family, as James is slated to be arrested, due to debt that he can not pay back. 

 

Will makes it his goal to write a new play and find a benefactor to help save the theater.  He finds a man who is willing to bail James Burbage out of debt, and save the theater, if and only if the play can convince the woman of the benefactor’s fancy to marry him.  Will gets to work on writing, and creates what is essentially A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

 

Richard Burbage is cast as the “King of the Fairies” who is essentially Puck.  The woman of the benefactor’s fancy attempts to seduce Richard, backstage, but Richard refuses, placing his family’s well-being ahead of a cheap thrill.  Richard encourages the woman towards the benefactor, using a line that we later find out is from the play.

 

Richard Topcliffe survived Presto’s knife attack, but appears wounded and weaker than before.  He continues with his persecution of Catholics.

 

Alice Burbage expresses her hatred for Will, to Will.  Robert Southwell attempts to witness to Alice, explaining that Christ’s love is trustworthy and will never leave her.  Robert Southwell is excellent at imitating Christ’s love towards the woman caught in adultery.  He does not condone the sin, but witnesses to a love that is stronger than the sin.  Alice watches an infant baptism, but a raid occurs, in which two Catholics are taken away by Topcliffe’s minions. Robert Southwell, trusting in God’s ultimate goodness, the resurrection of the just, and the noble necessity of his cause accepts that the martyrdom of the two captives will lead to their ultimate peace in Heaven, surrounded by the glory of God. 

 

Presto sees Richard Topcliffe in public and plans to stab him to death, but Will catches Presto and advises him not to, on the grounds that such a public action would surely result in Presto’s death, and would not be an effective form of vengeance.  Will, however, promises Presto that Will will help him find a more appropriate form of vengeance against Richard Topcliffe.

 

Christopher Marlowe, who meanwhile has been getting more and more lost through the past several episodes attempts to have Satan invoked.  After finding the attempt to be a hoax, he decides that he wants there to be a new play featuring the devil on stage.

 

Will’s play ends with the benefactor’s proposal to the woman, and her acceptance.  James Burbage receives the money needed to pay off his debts and keep the theater functioning.  James is furthermore excited about this new play and the potential money that it can bring in, moving forward.

 

What will Will’s vengeance that he "owes" Presto against Richard Topcliffe constitute?  Will Robert Southwell convince Alice Burbage to convert to the Catholic Church?  Will A Midsummer Night’s Dream (variation) be a success?   What will Christopher Marlowe’s play be like?  The next episode is scheduled for Monday, August 21 on TNT.  I predict that just like the first 7 episodes, Episode 8 will be worth your time!