‘Great Expectations’ recap: What happened in Episode 5?

The new adaptation of Great Expectations continued tonight!

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has adapted Charles Dickens’ classic novel in this six-part series for the BBC and FX.

Olivia Colman (The Crown) stars as the iconic Miss Havisham, alongside Dunkirk actor Fionn Whitehead as Pip.

They’re joined by Ashley Thomas (The Ipcress File), Johnny Harris (Medici), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Hayley Squires (Call the Midwife), and Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows).

Watch the trailer here:

Here’s a plot recap for the fifth episode, which premiered at 9pm on Sunday 23rd April 2023 on BBC One in the UK and on Hulu in the US:

As part of their plan to ruin Drummle, Jaggers and Pip head to a pleasure garden, seeking entertainment.

While Drummle is keen to find women, Pip must try and shake off the opium he has begun to rely on, Unable to trust his own eyes, and unsure of what is real or simply the smoke taking hold, Pip is suddenly accosted by Compeyson.

Pip has no means of knowing why Compeyson seeks him out, but luckily he manages to escape – although for how long he cannot be sure.

Back at Jaggers apartment, and all suitably inebriated, Jaggers comes to the point of the evening. He needs Drummle to sign a document that insures Monsieur Dorget’s ship.

Jaggers and Pip know Dorget is running slaves, and with Drummle’s signature they hope to condemn both men – and claim the riches for themselves, adding to Jaggers already comfortable existence and finally setting Pip up as a true gentleman of London.

Meanwhile, Estella has to fend off a new suitor.

Frustrated at her refusal to pick a date to marry the apparently respectable Mr Drummle, Miss Havisham arranges a dinner to focus her wayward daughter’s mind and introduce her to her second choice, Mr Herbert Pocket.

Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations is available on Amazon.