The Forsytes Episode 3 recap: James schemes against Jo as Irene and Soames take a big step

Channel 5's period drama, The Forsytes, is currently airing on PBS Masterpiece in the US. New episodes drop every Sunday at 9 PM ET in the US. Episode 3 delves into the chaotic lives of the titular wealthy family of London.

Previously on The Forsytes, we saw how Jolyon Sr. wanted to pass the baton to his son Jolyon Jr. However, James, Jolyon Sr.'s brother, thinks that Jolyon Jr. is incapable of handling the family business. James wants his son Soames to head the business. Soames falls in love with Irene, who dreams of studying ballet in Paris. Irene fights against all odds to gather funds to do so after her father's unfortunate death.

Meanwhile, Jolyon Jr.'s secrets come to the forefront in Episode 2. Frances, Jolyon's wife, finds out that the dressmaker, Louisa, was Jolyon's ex-partner and that her twin children are his. Frances knew that if James came to know about this secret, it would ruin Jolyon's chances to be Jolyon Sr.'s successor at the firm.

Here's what happened in the latest episode of The Forsytes.

The Forsytes Episode 3 recap: James schemes against Jo

In the previous episode, when James saw Jo leaving Louisa's shop, he guessed that Jo was hiding something. In The Forsytes Episode 5, he realizes that Louisa's children are Jo's. He decides to use the secret as an excuse to remove Jo from his position in the family's firm. Soames, on the other hand, wants to prove his worth and earn the chairman position by himself.

Elsewhere, June also seems unhappy with Jo and Louisa's complex relationship. She questions whether Jo ever loved her or her mother, Frances. Frances is even willing to look past everything. She wants Jo to break all contact with Louisa. However, Jo wants to support Louisa and their children financially.

Jo meets Louisa

In The Forsytes Episode 3, Jo ignores all the warnings and meets Louisa in the market. Louisa declines the financial support. She tells him that she is capable of raising their twins as a single mother. Jo tells Louisa that she should have contacted him when she was pregnant. If she had done so, Jo would have left his family for her. June notices Jo talking to his twins in the market, and this upsets her.

June finds comfort in Bossiney

June went to the market to attend a Fabian meeting. She met Bossiney at the opera house, where he handed her a pamphlet. June was quickly impressed with Bossiney's personality and his rebellious thoughts.

At the meeting, she meets Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy widow who advocates for workers and their rights. June invites Bossiney for a picnic at the park after she learns that he is an architect. After seeing Jo with his twins in the market, she finds comfort in Bossiney and feels quite relieved after she shares everything that troubles her with him.

Soames introduces Irene to his family

Soames knows that even though he's fallen head over heels for Irene, his family won't accept her. They feel Olivia Carteret is a perfect match for him. Soames introduces Irene to his family at the horse race event. He wants to marry her and leave for Paris soon so that she can complete her ballet training.

James tries to remove Jo from the board but fails

Monty, Winifred's husband, schemes to get a chair on the board. James brings up Jo's and Louisa's relationship during the board's meeting. Jo tries to explain his side. Ann, the matriarch of The Forsytes, shows up, and she turns the vote in favor of Jo.

The board agrees to overlook Jo's past if he cuts ties with Louisa permanently. Jo decides that he will financially support Louisa. The votes are in Jo's favor. Frances warns him that any association with Louisa might ruin him.In the end, Soames and Irene marry in a private ceremony.

In the end, Soames and Irene marry in a private ceremony.