Masterpiece Season 28 Episode 4 A Respectable Trade (2)
- October 25, 1998
In Masterpiece season 28 episode 4, we continue following the story of Frances Scott, a spirited young woman who is trying to make a name for herself in 18th-century Bristol. As a former slave trader, Frances is eager to prove that she is more than just her family's dubious reputation.
Frances has found an unlikely ally in Mehuru, the African prince she rescued from a slaving ship in the first episode. The two have developed a close relationship, and Frances has been doing her best to help Mehuru adjust to life in England. However, their bond is put to the test when Mehuru is accused of a crime he didn't commit.
Meanwhile, Frances is determined to expand her business and has partnered with a wealthy merchant named Josiah Cole. Josiah is impressed by Frances's ideas and has offered to back her financially, but his motives may not be entirely pure. Frances is drawn to Josiah's wealth and power, but she can't shake the feeling that he is hiding something.
As Frances navigates the complex social and economic landscape of Bristol, she also grapples with her own identity. She is torn between the expectations of her family and her own ambitions. Frances is a woman ahead of her time, but she must learn to navigate the constraints of her society if she hopes to succeed.
Through it all, A Respectable Trade explores the harsh realities of slavery and the toll it takes on both the enslaved and the slavers. The series doesn't shy away from the brutal violence of the trade, nor does it shy away from the nuanced relationships that develop between those involved. A Respectable Trade is a complex and thought-provoking series that explores the many facets of Bristol's slave trade.