The Durrells in Corfu: Season 2, Episode 2 Recap
When we last left the Durrells, Louisa had gained a potential new suitor in wealthy British businessman Hugh Jarvis and a rival in new landlady Vasilia Prifona. Gerry’s pursuit of animal conservation led to an otter breeding enterprise. Margo’s infatuation with a young monk and his peaceful lifestyle resulted in some spiritual reflection. Leslie made amends for his heinous, albeit accidental, wounding of Gerry’s canine companion, Roger. And Larry discovered a treasure trove of writing material was under his nose all along. Oh, yeah there was that village-wide “food poisoning by Scotch egg” fiasco as well.
Let me start by saying this episode featured a lot of difficult parenting moments for Louisa. Not that raising kids is ever a doddle, but we find Mrs. Durrell struggling to strike the correct balance between letting her children be themselves and properly supervising them. Essentially, she questions if she’s a good mother. More on that later, but first, let's examine what transpired in the life of the Durrell family this week in more detail.
A tutor for Gerry. When Margo informs Louisa that Gerry hasn’t slept in his room that night, she panics. The fear of where he might be is coupled with guilt over how she could have lost track of his whereabouts in the first place. The boy’s return to the house shortly thereafter prompts a family group hug and the resolution to provide more consistent oversight. Housekeeper Lugaretzia (Anna Saava) is deputized and charged with the task of keeping Gerry in the house. She takes her powers seriously as evidenced by her bold choice to tether the child to the stair railing.
Next Louisa goes on the hunt for a tutor well-versed in math, an area in which several of her children appear to be deficient. Her first choice, Theo, refuses preferring to remain Gerry’s friend and mentor. We'e told the lad growled at Theo when the he attempted to suggest Gerry step up his hygiene habits.
When Sprios is approached he agrees, but his brand of discipline (shouting and belittling) reminds a tearful Gerry of his headmasters in England. The chauffeur and family friend apologizes by bringing the boy a pair of magpies, or magenpies as Sprios pronounces it. When Louisa overhears Spiros teaching automobile maintenance and the philosophy of American women, she dismisses him as Gerry’s teacher. And just in time seeing as Gerry’s otters are finally getting romantic.
Finally, Louisa recruits the literary-minded Mr. Kralefsky (Vernon Dobtcheff) to be a serious tutor for her wayward child. And serious he intends to be if the stack of reading material he drops off for Gerry to review is any indication. How long will the elderly tutor last is anyone's guess but I would wager not more than an episode or two. Gerry isn't a traditional student, but a tactile, experience-based learner.
Leslie becomes a distiller. Upon overhearing Pavlos telling Margo about the kumquat liqueur the monks make at the monastery, Leslie’s entrepreneurial spirit is sparked. When Leslie presents his idea of getting into the alcohol distilling business, he is surprised to find that Larry considers it a good idea and even comes up a with clever slogan.
