Vanity Fair (2018) Season 1 Episode 3 A Quarrel About An Heiress

In episode 3 of Vanity Fair's first season titled "A Quarrel About An Heiress," Becky Sharpe's social ascent continues to soar as she makes new acquaintances and catches the attention of Sir Pitt Crawley's younger son, Rawdon Crawley. Meanwhile, Amelia Sedley struggles to come to terms with George Osborne's engagement to Miss Swartz, an heiress.

The episode opens with Becky, having moved on from her work as a governess, now under the employment of Sir Pitt as a secretary. She catches the eye of Rawdon, who is drawn to her wit and charm. As her relationship with Rawdon heats up, Becky continues to navigate the upper echelons of society, befriending Lady Bareacres and her daughter, who promise to help Becky marry well.

However, Amelia is still struggling to come to terms with George's engagement to Miss Swartz, who is wealthy but not of the same social standing as their family. She confides in her friend Dobbin, who has been carrying a torch for her for years, but she remains devoted to George and refuses to consider Dobbin's affections.

As Becky continues to rise in society, she makes several questionable decisions, including manipulating Rawdon into a hasty marriage and securing financial support from Lady Bareacres in exchange for helping her son secure a position in the army. However, her actions do not go unnoticed, and she soon finds herself at odds with Lady Southdown, who disapproves of her behavior.

As the episode progresses, tensions continue to rise as Becky and Amelia's paths cross, and George's true intentions towards Amelia begin to emerge. In the midst of all this, Rawdon is sent off to war, leaving Becky vulnerable and alone.

Overall, "A Quarrel About An Heiress" is an intriguing episode that showcases the complexities of social climbing and the toll it can take on relationships and personal values. The characters are dynamic and multi-layered, with their intentions and motivations often not being what they seem on the surface. It sets the stage for what promises to be an engaging and dramatic second half of the season.