Stonehouse Episode 3 (ITV1 Wednesday 4 January 2023)

Today Wednesday 4 January 2023, there is a new episode of Stonehouse.

Episode 3 After posting bail and getting freed from jail, John Stonehouse returns to his family’s home. Barbara Stonehouse is determined to keep her family together, despite her mistrust of her husband. Stonehouse fights the impulse to contact Sheila Buckley before and throughout the trial, when doing so would be illegal.

The court hears their private correspondence at the reading of their letters. Barbara is in the audience. When Stonehouse returns home, Barbara has already relocated him to the guest bedroom after the magistrate suggests the case be transferred to the criminal court. He thinks back to his younger years among the Woodcraft Folk and the simpler life he led there.

The state of the government remains tenuous. After missing two votes in a week, Stonehouse gives a contentious speech in which he criticises the political establishment. In a honest and peculiar discussion, Wilson reprimands him directly. When Stonehouse gets back to the house, he finds Barbara watching a TV interview with Alexander Marek, who may have evidence against Stonehouse. Indignant, he walks out the door.

Stonehouse finally gives in to visiting Sheila after spending the night on a park bench. The news of Harold Wilson’s resignation leaves him bewildered. He, too, quits his job and, impressed by the ENP protesters, switches allegiances to the group.

Despite the judge’s admonition, Stonehouse chooses to represent himself at trial. This was a poor choice. Stonehouse has to face his mortality and his mistakes when Barbara ultimately divorces him. Can we assume he feels remorse?

Airdate: Wednesday 4 January 2023 at 21:00 on ITV1

Season 1 Episode 3

Stonehouse relates how Labour minister John Stonehouse, a high-flying member of Harold Wilson’s Government, vanished from the beach of a large luxury hotel in Florida in November 1974, leaving a neatly folded pile of clothes as he swam into the sea, intent on faking his own death.  

Featured image credit: ITV1