I just want to start off by saying that I love, love, love, love, love Miss Scarlet and the Duke. It is literally one of my all-time favorite TV shows. I love the Victorian England setting, the characters, the costumes, and especially the mysteries. However, I don’t really love the romance aspect between Eliza and William. It was clear from Season One, Episode One, that their romance is the endgame, and honestly, when it happens, I will probably still root for them. If I had it my way, though, I would like to see Eliza in a relationship with Moses.
I realize that Eliza and Moses could be considered a controversial couple, given the time period in which the show is set. But, Eliza is already living a life that most people in the show consider controversial. She has been laughed at and ridiculed by practically everyone on the show over her chosen profession, so I feel like a woman that is strong enough to rise above all of that and persevere, should be able to weather any storm a relationship with Moses could cause.
For those of you that do not agree, or do not understand my point of view, allow me to present three reasons I believe Moses is a better romantic partner that William.
She Trusts Him
Whenever Eliza gets arrested, which she seems to do often, she turns to William for help. Obviously, that is because of the position he holds as an Inspector at Scotland Yard. In season two, there were two times when Eliza’s life was in serious danger. Once in episode three, when she is framed for breaking into the morgue and stealing documents, and once in episode six, when a criminal she helped capture returns to kill her. Both times, she turned to Moses for help, not William.
It might just be me, but I want a partner I can turn to in times of need. For Eliza, Moses is that guy. He doesn’t care about appearances; he doesn’t have to answer to bosses or play office politics, he simply does what he has to do to make sure that she is safe. And most importantly, she trusts him to do so. Not only that, Ivy, her trusted housekeeper and friend, also trusts Moses. The same Ivy who gives Eliza a weekly speech on propriety. Ivy trusts him so much that she was willing to lie to William and go along with a plan that had her also lying to the doctor at the morgue.
I just feel like there is an intimacy there, a level of trust that she just doesn’t have with William. She is also much more open and honest with Moses. She doesn’t feel like she has to lie to him or keep secrets, nor does she ever fear that her actions are going to make him angry. (Not claiming William is abusive in any way. Just acknowledging that they fight a lot, and he is often angry with her for not doing what he thinks she should).
He Accepts Her for Who She Is
In the very beginning of season one, episode one, Eliza learns her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her with no money and quite a bit of debt. I don’t really know what William expected her to do, but she needed to make money quickly. There were not a lot of job opportunities for women in those days, nor were they viewed as being particularly intelligent or competent.
Eliza choosing to follow in her father’s footsteps was a natural choice, especially given that the opportunity presented itself right as she needed it. It has not been easy for her, though. I feel like if William cared for her, he would truly support her in her career. By William’s own admission, he feels like her success undermines his own. I can see why that would be frustrating, but she should have the right to be successful and maybe if he viewed her as more of an ally than an adversary, her success could bolster his instead.
I don’t remember season one well enough to know if Moses questioned her ability as a lady detective, but I feel like it is safe to assume that he did, since she is considered to be the first one. Regardless, he came around to accepting it pretty fast. Yes, they were reluctant allies initially, but now they are trusting partners. They have a way of working together, both of them acknowledging and accepting their own, as well as each other’s, strengths and weaknesses. There’s no tension between them, no secrets, and no fear of judgment.
I would also like to point out that Moses doesn’t treat her like she’s inferior or incapable simply because she’s a woman. He listens to her and respects her. Yes, she pays him, but seriously, he doesn’t have to work for her. The fact that he chooses to do so, that he’s willing to take risks for her, to show up for her when she needs him, shows how much he truly does care for her.
There’s No Competition Between Them
Healthy competition never hurt anyone, but William and Eliza seem to take it way beyond healthy. Their relationship feels more like that of a sibling rivalry than two people who are in love. I know they grew up together, so a little rivalry is expected, but these two are lacking the closeness and camaraderie that comes with a friends to lovers kind of relationship.
They are both incredibly defensive whenever they try to tease one another, both of them imagining slights when none are intended. In fact, when Eliza proposed William work for her, he immediately took it as some sort of offense, instead of seeing it for the desperate attempt to keep him in London that it was. He then gave her the silent treatment, which of course led to her once again turning to Moses over William to keep her safe.
All three of the characters, for different reasons, have this powerful need inside to prove themselves to the world. While I understand that need, I feel like your romantic partner should be your safe space. A space where you don’t have to prove anything because you are with the one person who loves and accepts you for who you are.
I feel like your romantic partner is someone who should encourage you to be the best person you can be. They should be your cheerleader, someone who will celebrate your wins and console you over your losses. In my opinion, Moses is that person for Eliza.
There is no competition between them. They work together to achieve the same goals. When needed, they show up for each other. They trust each other with their lives and they don’t take offense if they tease one another. There is an ease between them. They have that safe space.
Sadly, there has never been even a hint of a romantic relationship between Eliza and Moses. It would be awesome if that changed, but as a realist, I understand how unlikely it is that will happen. I will say this, both Eliza and William have a lot of personal character growth to achieve before they commit to a relationship with each other and I sincerely hope that is allowed to happen. I really don’t think they would be good for one another as they currently are, for the reasons mentioned above.
One last thing, I think William could do with a little competition for Eliza’s affections. Whether that comes in the form of Moses (I wish) or the new character of Nash, it would be nice to see him change the way he views her. Seeing another man, one who views Eliza as the smart and capable woman that she is, take an interest in her might just be the swift kick in the arse William needs to change his attitude and finally admit his feelings for her.
All that being said, I can’t wait for season three, which I am so excited to say is coming January third! I’m so thankful that we don’t have to wait another year and a half to see what our beloved characters are up to. Here’s hoping that there will be plenty more seasons to come.
