While not as good as Episode 2, The Count of Monte Cristo Episode 3 delves into the real beginning of the revenge story. Edmund learns that the treasure is, in fact, real, and now he has the means to be able to take down the men who caused his imprisonment.
Up to this point, he only really believed that the head of the police was responsible, but he soon learns that there are more. The letter that led to his arrest is uncovered, and it leads to him finally getting answers that he needs.
Heartbreak for Edmund on The Count of Monte Cristo
While there is a bit on the search for the treasure — which I’m grateful to see takes time for Edmund to work out the clues — the main focus is on grief. Edmund finds out everything that has happened in the last 15 years, including the fact that his father had died.
Photographer: Claudio Iannone
Courtesy of Palomar and MASTERPIECE.
It’s interesting how people in the village know about Edmund’s father. The man died five years ago, and the current owner of the house knew about the previous owner. It just shows how tight-knit this area is.
As he grieves the loss of his father, he also grieves the loss of Mercedes, learning that she had married someone else. It doesn’t sound like she waited too long, and that wouldn’t be too surprising for the time period. She couldn’t risk getting so “old” that men wouldn’t want her. And everyone believed that Edmund was dead.
While he’s hurt, he does understand. At least, it seems it, but you can tell in his eyes that he knows he has lost his whole life. People need to pay for this heartbreak.
Before that, he also needs to offer support to those who were there for him. Remember the man who gave him a purse of money as a wedding gift? Edmund knows that he has to repay the favor, paying his debts to help him get out from under the weight of all that. It’s the least that he can do, and it’s a clue that Edmund is still alive. Nobody else could have had that purse!
Photographer: Paolo Modugno
Courtesy of Palomar and MASTERPIECE.
Edmund hasn’t lost everything that made him a good man. While he now has money and he is on a mission for revenge, he hasn’t forgotten the good people in his life. He can split the good and the bad, and that’s not always easy when you’re angry at the world and people for everything that has happened.
A Little Slow But Lots to Look Forward To
I do admit that I found The Count of Monte Cristo Episode 3 a little slow. The problem is, I couldn’t tell you what needed skipping over to speed things up. And I guess it’s just the fact that this part of the story overall is on the slower side.
It needs to be as well. This series is about to pick up the pace very soon. We’re now into the ultimate revenge story.
Photographer: Paolo Modugno
Courtesy of Palomar and MASTERPIECE.
Edmund now needs to make himself this count that he says he is. He needs to build authority and connections to help move around Paris seamlessly. He’ll need to make the right connections to get to all of those who have destroyed his life.
It takes time and confidence for this, and Edmund certainly seems to have the latter. He quickly formed this identity and enjoyed getting into it, even with the hardships thrown at him, so he’s sure to have the confidence to gain the connections he needs. With seven episodes left, there’s everything to look forward to!
The Count of Monte Cristo airs on Sundays at 10/9c on PBS and streams on PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video and PBS Passport.
