Ep 4. Food of Love

In Upstart Crow season 2 episode 4, titled "Food of Love", Will Shakespeare is struggling to come up with a new play idea and is feeling the pressure to produce something great. His wife, Anne Hathaway, suggests that he write a play about love, which inspires him to create a romantic comedy. However, when he presents his idea to his fellow playwrights, they dismiss it as trivial and unoriginal.

Meanwhile, Will's daughter Susanna is planning her wedding to the wealthy but dull Dr. John Hall. Her mother is thrilled at the prospect of a grand wedding banquet, but Susanna has no interest in the food and wishes to elope instead. Will urges her to reconsider, arguing that food is an important part of any celebration and that good cooking can lead to a happy marriage.

To prove his point, Will decides to write a play that centers around food and love. He enlists the help of his friend Robert Greene, who is a notorious glutton and connoisseur of fine cuisine. Together, they visit a fancy new French restaurant where they sample exotic dishes and are waited on hand and foot. Will is inspired by the elegance and sophistication of the restaurant, and decides to set his play there.

However, when Will presents his play to his actors and tries to stage a scene at the restaurant, chaos ensues. The food is too luxurious for the actors, who struggle to eat it without making a mess. The waitstaff, who are unfamiliar with the theater, interrupt the scene with their own performances, and the other diners in the restaurant are confused and annoyed by the spectacle.

Despite these setbacks, Will remains determined to make his play a success. He begins to incorporate elements of his real life into the story, including the conflicts between himself and Anne, and the struggles of Susanna and John. He also includes themes of class and social status, as well as commentary on the state of the theater industry at the time.

As the play begins to take shape, Will faces more and more pressure to produce something truly groundbreaking. He worries that his play is too light and frivolous, and that it will be forgotten as soon as the audience leaves the theater. However, his friends and family reassure him that his work is important and meaningful, and that he has a gift for making people laugh and feel connected.

In the end, the play is a success, and Will learns that there is value in creating work that is enjoyable and entertaining. He also realizes that food and love are intertwined, and that the joy and pleasure of sharing a good meal can bring people together in a way that nothing else can. As the episode closes, he and Anne share a quiet moment of intimacy, reflecting on the power of love and the satisfaction that comes from creating something beautiful.