Ep 7. Where There Are Friends, There Are Riches

Z: The Beginning of Everything is a period drama television series that premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2017. Starring Christina Ricci in the leading role as Zelda Fitzgerald, the series chronicles the life of the famous writer and explores her relationship with her husband, the legendary F. Scott Fitzgerald. The show is set in the roaring 1920s and captures the glamour and excitement of the era.

In the seventh episode of season one, titled "Where There Are Friends, There Are Riches," Zelda and Scott are struggling to make ends meet in New York City. They are both frustrated with their lack of success and find themselves in an increasingly difficult financial situation. To make matters worse, Zelda's mother has come to visit and is putting pressure on them to settle down and have children.

However, things start to look up when Zelda meets a group of wealthy young socialites who invite her and Scott to a lavish party at their country estate. The opulent surroundings and free-flowing booze are a welcome break from their struggling artist existence and Zelda quickly strikes up a friendship with one of the women, the charming and flirtatious Edna St. Vincent Millay.

As the night wears on, Zelda and Scott become enchanted with the lifestyle of their new friends and start to imagine a future where they too can live in luxury. Zelda is particularly drawn to the idea of having financial independence and being able to support herself and her husband. However, when she proposes the idea of writing a play to Edna, she is met with skepticism and told that she lacks the necessary talent.

Undeterred, Zelda continues to pursue her dream and starts working on the play with Scott. They struggle to make progress, but their new friends offer to help by hosting readings and providing feedback. As their collaboration deepens, Zelda and Scott start to realize that they have very different visions for the play and tensions begin to rise.

Meanwhile, Zelda's mother is growing increasingly impatient and starts to put pressure on her daughter to abandon her writing dreams and start a family. Zelda is torn between her desire for financial independence and her love for Scott, whom she feels obligated to support.

As the episode draws to a close, Zelda must make a decision about her future and the future of her marriage. Will she choose financial success and independence, or will she prioritize her relationship with Scott? And how will her new friends and their lavish lifestyle factor into her decision?

"Where There Are Friends, There Are Riches" is a compelling episode that explores the complex themes of love, ambition, and financial independence. With strong performances from the cast and beautiful set design and costuming, the episode immerses the viewer in the glamour and excitement of the roaring 1920s. Fans of period dramas and literary biopics will appreciate the attention to detail and the nuanced portrayal of one of the most fascinating figures in American literature.