The episode opens with a jolt: Cochrane is beaten and arrested in a brutal police raid. Ellen, desperate, begs Edward to intervene — but Edward has troubles of his own. Byron’s initiative in New York, promising 15% of Guinness’s American profits to the Fenian cause, is threatening to spark a diplomatic crisis with the English. Arthur watches with a wicked smile, enjoying his brother’s misstep, though he knows he has his own skeletons to hide.

Edward comes up with a solution that is as pragmatic as it is cold: deport Cochrane to the United States, removing him from Dublin and neutralizing the threat. Neither Ellen nor Cochrane takes the news well — he accuses her of betrayal, sleeping with the enemy — but there’s no alternative. Once in New York, Cochrane tries to refuse the deal, but Byron counters with a clever compromise: he will be paid by Guinness, but will personally donate the money to the Fenians. This way, Guinness stays clean with the English, and the Fenians still get their funding.

Meanwhile, Arthur delivers his own warning: Edward’s affair with Ellen is doomed. “Marriage is the best armor you could wear,” Arthur says with a smirk. Edward deflects but can’t hide that he’s in love.

Adelaide arrives at the brewery to discuss her philanthropic projects and is intercepted by Arthur, who encourages her to stop running from Edward and consider his proposal. Adelaide brushes him off, but the seed is planted.

On his way out, Arthur crosses paths with Patrick, now promoted — and with his evenings free. Patrick steals a quick kiss and invites Arthur to a night of dancing, leaving him intrigued. What Arthur doesn’t know is that Patrick is being blackmailed by Henry Grattan, Arthur’s own uncle, to lure him into a trap that could destroy his reputation and send him to prison.

Meanwhile, Anne, now a mother, encourages Adelaide to spend time with Edward and arranges for her to stay at the Guinness castle for several weeks. At first, Adelaide avoids Edward’s attempts to impress her, but her detour to Cloomboo — where famine and cholera still ravage the population — changes everything. Edward follows her there, confronts the reality of the village’s suffering, and begins to help, breaking the ice with Adelaide and forging a genuine connection. He confesses that he has a lover and is in love, which paradoxically ignites Adelaide’s curiosity and pride. Slowly, her walls start to come down.

While Edward grows closer to Adelaide, Olivia plunges headlong into her affair with Rafferty — with Arthur’s knowledge and apparent consent. Arthur, intoxicated by his own budding romance with Patrick, invites him to a party where they can dance and be free. But danger is closing in: Henry gives Patrick the address and the exact time of the police raid. Patrick is told to use a code word to escape, leaving Arthur behind to be arrested and disgraced.

The final moments are pure dread. Patrick glances nervously at the clock — 10 p.m. The raid is about to begin. The door is seconds from being broken down. Is this the end of Arthur Guinness’s career, his freedom, and his carefully constructed facade?