THE BEST LOVE STORY MOMENTS OF ELIZA SCARLET AND WILLIAM WELLINGTON
When it comes to love stories on television shows, writers love to craft sassy heroines who do what they please. One of these heroines is Eliza Scarlet. I have some, shall we say, disagreement with Eliza because of her choices. Yet there is lots of social media love for her and her counterpart, William. Contrary to what some of these same Twitter users may think, I too enjoy them. But I also have TV fangirl complaints, which I think is part of the TV watching experience. Additionally, I can admit there are moments when these two shine together, but I’m not sure I’m convinced (yet) they’re end game. Perhaps even less likely now given William aka the Duke is no longer a present part of Eliza’s life. That said, we love the chance to spotlight some sweet romance so we’re looking at the romance of Eliza Scarlet and William from Miss Scarlet and the Duke.
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The show, from Masterpiece on PBS, takes place in 1800s England and follows an independent woman who, in the aftermath of her father’s death, takes over his detective practice. Along the way, she naturally annoys her childhood friend and police inspector, William. Eliza is one of those sassy ladies who I think is too busy butting heads to fully recognize that they could be better together. Eliza (Kate Phillips) wants William to respect her and take her work seriously. This is reasonable. But she then causes him grief in his career, and I think there should be mutual respect from both. I understand the time period dictates that she has the greater battle, but I still think, in the context of a relationship (even if only friendship), there should be mutual understanding and respect between these two.
THE BEST LOVE STORY MOMENTS OF ELIZA SCARLET AND WILLIAM WELLINGTON. Remembering the romance between #ElizaScarlet and #William from #MissScarletandtheDuke (now Miss Scarlet!). Share on X
Photo Courtesy of Masterpiece PBS / Photo: Element 8 Entertainment / PBS
As many will know, William (played by Stuart Martin for four seasons of Miss Scarlet and the Duke) has left to go live in New York. This leaves Eliza Scarlet pondering what his absence means, and perhaps wondering what impact this will have on him. Her next chapter begins in the rebranded Masterpiece on PBS show Miss Scarlet which will begin, as series five, streaming on December 8.
Before the chapter that was Eliza and William ends, we’re looking on some of their more memorable romantic moments together.
THE ROMANCE of ELIZA SCARLET and WILLIAM from MISS SCARLET and the DUKE
A near KISS in the KITCHEN
the EPISODE: Six from season one
I think I can honestly say, this moment in the romance of Eliza and William, coming at the end of series one, did impress me. In fact, at the time I think I had this exciting thought that this would be the turning point for these two. It would be this that would soften them, change perspectives and force them to rethink everything. It all takes place when, after sharing a harrowing experience, Eliza by herself makes a meal for the two of them. If you watch this, you know one of Eliza’s cute quirks is that she cannot cook. In the darkened and intimate kitchen, after the disaster of their meal, the two become close waiting for their food, and in the dim light, they very nearly share a kiss.
AS I SAID, I AM AN ETERNAL OPTIMIST. – William Wellington
– Miss Scarlet and the DUKE
YOU ARE A ROGUE. – Eliza Scarlet
AS THINGS ARE
the EPISODE: One from season two
At the end of a case, William arrives at Eliza’s doorstep to take her to dinner. She addresses his opinion on her latest cast work, and she tells him that she won’t be “dictated” to, and this will rule their possible future. William in turn tells her he cancelled their plans. He says if they were more than friends, his position would be untenable and denying that is to deny truth. He says it’s better for both to leave things as they are… for now. Eliza, sanding inside a closed door room walks towards the door but remains fixed even if uncertain.
And as he walks out, he too walks back towards the door, lingers in the hall, perhaps hoping she has more to say.
THE MEET-CUTE
the EPISODE: Three from season four
In an episode from series four, William is injured during a raid. Of course, Eliza is deeply concerned and she spends hours next to him, even going so far as to convince people she’s more to William than she is. After all, she has to keep vigil. During his hospital stay, the episode takes us back to their years as teenagers and how they met. Thus their bantering begins. Right from the start, when Eliza’s father finds a downtrodden William he wants to help, the pair spar. Eliza inserts herself into a little mystery as they try and impress her father by solving a case …and of course, they share a kiss too which is the infamous first kiss we heard of but hadn’t ever seen.
THE LETTER
the EPISODE: Four from Series Four
After his injury, Eliza in her usual force of nature manner insists William stay with her to convalesce. During this time, William realizes he and Eliza cannot be together because they both want something entirely different. He understands that they cannot work together and be together, but because of this, and his respect for the woman he loves, he also knows he cannot stay and be at this distance. So, he takes a new job and, well, in a surprisingly romantic move, he leaves.
Realizing that he and Eliza, who just isn’t ready to be with William in the way he loves her, cannot move forward as they are now, William makes a choice. He chooses to take a post in New York which will separate he and Eliza by an ocean. Trying to share this with her throughout the episode, he is unsuccessful because Eliza runs out on his attempts to speak with her all in pursuit of her case. Believing there is little way to explain, he writes her a letter…
THE BEST LOVE STORY MOMENTS OF ELIZA SCARLET AND WILLIAM WELLINGTON. Remembering the romance between #ElizaScarlet and #William from #MissScarletandtheDuke (now Miss Scarlet!). Share on XBECAUSE I LOVE YOU
the EPISODE: Four from Series Four
In the end, William does catch Eliza and they speak before she reads his words. When he tells her goodbye and she, believing he’s merely going home, playfully asks if this is because she’s “late for dinner” (referring to her absentmindedness with her case), as the fireplace casts shadows and a perfectly romantic atmosphere, William truthfully tells her, no, it’s because he loves her.
This is because I love you
– William, from Miss Scarlet and the Duke
This romance of Eliza and William ends bittersweetly, yet this is where it’s at. It’s needed and I think William is wise for recognizing this… and making this choice. While I want him to be with Eliza because of how he loves her, I also want her to get to where he has which is they can complement each other and still do what they are good at.
Many I think were annoyed that William is written off the show in this manner, done so because Stuart Martin is leaving. So while this means the pair did have to part, I also, quite weirdly admire how they part.
Beyond just these spotlight scenes, there are many other quiet moments and almosts (inducing them running around darkened streets trying to find each other one night with intention to admit the truth) between these two, but nothing has so far cemented a romance.
What do you love about the romance of Eliza and William? Do any of these moments make you swoon? Would you want to see William return and the pair begin a love story in earnest; do you think they are end game? Comment all of your thoughts down in the comment section below.
Photos courtesy of Masterpiece PBS / Photos: Element 8 Entertainment, PBS / Masterpiece
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