The Forsytes Season 1 Finale Explained: Who Did Jolyan Choose?

Throughout The Forsytes Season 1, eyes have been on who Jolyan would choose. We all had a feeling based on the way the character had connected to both Louisa and Frances, but we needed the final episode to see his decision made.

At the same time, Soames proved that he is just as awful as he is in the books — well, there’s time to see if he goes there — and there are more Forsyte secrets to come out. One of those involves a member we didn’t quite expect, but it explains everything.

Jolyan Makes His Choice on The Forsyte Season 1 Finale

After leaving the house, Jolyan eventually realizes that he needs to face Frances. At first, Frances is focused on the way society will look at them, but she admits that maybe they both need to make some compromises.

It’s not enough for Jolyan in the end. He needs to be around his children, and he makes that clear to Frances just before the gala. They set their terms:

• There will be no divorce
• The children will not be legitimized
• His family and firm will cast him out

Then Frances delivers the final blow. “You were once interesting to me, now you bore me.” It doesn’t create an argument, though. Jo just leaves and heads straight to see Louisa. It’s time for them to start their family together.

As for Frances, she composes herself, offers up a home from her late father to the charity for fallen women, and decides to take control of her destiny.

Philip Tries to Save Irene from Her Fate

Meanwhile, Soames continues to control Irene, and that shouldn’t be surprising considering the book character. We knew that his decision to move to Paris with her and follow her dreams was all for show. Maybe he did think it would be a good idea, but they are too different. Now Soames needs to save face.

That means hiring Philip to design a country home. It’s supposed to be a secret, but when Philip tells June, and June tells Irene, the truth comes out. Philip realizes that this is going to be a prison for Irene, and he can’t do it. He needs to find a way out, and that means getting Soames to turn him down. So, he jacks up the price asked for it.

As predicted, Soames balks at the price and walks away. However, he changes his mind, and Philip realizes that there is little that he can do to help Irene.

There is a look that promises some sort of love affair. Honestly, what is it with the men showing more affection for other women than for their own wives/wives-to-be? I can believe more between Philip and Irene than I can between Philip and June!

When Irene reminds Soames of his promise to let her go freely if they realize the marriage isn’t working, Soames reneges on it. She may never get to Paris. However, maybe someone somewhere will help her escape.

Who Will Take Over the Firm?

For the whole season, there has been a battle in taking over the firm. Jo Sr. decides to back his son due to the insight he had in the gold mine. Soames tries to fight back, but Jo delivers a powerful blow, reminding Soames that he was responsible for Irene’s father’s situation. Irene has no idea that Soames was responsible for that, and even James is taken aback by the fight between cousins.

However, with everything going on as Jo walks away from his marriage to be with Louisa, the question of the firm’s future is back in the air. Ann clearly doesn’t want Soames to take over, though. After all, Soames proved that he is morally bankrupt, as Jo called him. Only Jo is the one making sure their investors diversify their funds to protect themselves.

Well, this could connect to Ann’s secret. It turns out that this Harry Faulkner is far more important than it initially seems. When Ann goes to see Jo about giving him money to make it right with Harry — as her sons refuse to — she explains that Jo’s grandfather helped Harry’s mother in her time of need. Jo Sr. knows that there is something bigger going on. Ann paid his debts, and when he asks why, she finally tells him that Harry is her grandson.

Wait! How? There are a lot of questions about this, and now we have to wait until The Forystes Season 2 to get answers to a secret we never saw coming.