Ep 3. Prior

In episode 3 of World Without End season 1, titled "Prior," we see the arrival of Prior Anthony from Kingsbridge into the monastery of St. John-in-the-Forest. Caris is thrilled to see her mentor and the two catch up on old times. However, their joy is short-lived as Prior Anthony is not there just to visit, but rather to take charge of the monastery and its finances. Meanwhile, Godwyn and the other monks resent the authority of Prior Anthony and are wary of his intentions.

As Prior Anthony assumes control, he quickly clashes with Godwyn over the financial management of the monastery. Prior Anthony believes that the monks have been mismanaging the finances and that the monastery is in dire need of repairs and renovations. Godwyn, on the other hand, doesn't want to give up any control and resents being told what to do.

The tension between Godwyn and Anthony only escalates when Prior Anthony announces his plan to acquire the stone quarry that Godwyn had been eyeing for years. Godwyn sees this as a direct challenge to his authority and accuses Prior Anthony of trying to undermine him.

As the power struggle between the two Priors continues, Caris becomes more anxious about the state of the monastery. She sees firsthand the need for repairs and renovation but fears that the conflict between Godwyn and Anthony will prevent any progress from being made. She turns to Sir Thomas Langley for advice, hoping he can help mediate the conflict between the two Priors.

In the meantime, Merthin continues to pursue his dreams of becoming an architect. He meets with a wealthy patron who is interested in his designs and offers to finance his education. However, Merthin's dreams are threatened when the patron's wife takes an interest in him and tries to seduce him.

The episode ends with tensions reaching a boiling point between Godwyn and Anthony. Godwyn accuses Prior Anthony of trying to take control of the monastery for his own gain, while Prior Anthony argues that Godwyn is only interested in preserving his own power. The fate of the monastery hangs in the balance as the two Priors prepare to face off in a final showdown.

Overall, this episode of World Without End is filled with intrigue, conflict, and drama. The power struggle between Anthony and Godwyn sets the stage for future episodes and leaves the fate of the monastery in doubt. Meanwhile, Merthin's pursuit of his dreams takes a dangerous turn and Caris struggles to keep the peace amidst the chaos.