Plot: Thomasina de Ballesteros has entranced the ton in her dedication to pull herself out of extreme poverty. She’s phenomenal at playing whatever role she needs to get what she wants, and there are untold number of lives depending on her doing just that. Jonathan Redmond is a youngest son, doomed to be of no use to anyone, and presently penniless because he’s trying to build up wealth and all his funds are tied up. But an unmissable investment opportunity makes itself known and he’s desperate to get in on it. Fortunately, Tommy just came into some valuables and urgently needs to convert it into a lot more. Shenanigans ensue.
Tommy and Jonathan are a perfect match. They are adventure seeking and dramatic and with too much heart to fit into a human body. They’ve been underestimated their entire lives and just the joy of being treated as an equal, as a person with value, allows them to blossom into their best selves. It’s a joy to watch it unfold. Watching their connection evolve against a backdrop of the systemic barriers to justice that existed (and in some forms persist to this day) with respect to gender and class really grounds the love story and gives it meaning. A reminder that the world can be harsh and unforgiving and surrounding yourself with love allows you not only to endure those things but also find the strength to do something about some of the problems we face. A timeless, hopeful message.
Trigger warnings for parental abandonment, child abuse, child endangerment, child death, and parental death.