what really makes me want to fling myself into the sun over this is because it makes SENSE that sidney would be the self-sacrificing idiot because that has been his CHARACTER ARC THIS SEASON

Also, I desperately wanted to believe that Sidney wouldn’t do this! But it actually makes total sense. If it was just a case of saving Sanditon he would chose Charlotte. But it’s more than that, it’s his brother in debtors prison. It’s Mary and the children all ruined. We know Sidney loves his family, his brother, his sister in law and his nieces/nephews. Their happiness and well being is obviously more important to him than his own.

lady susan hearing about sidney and eliza being engaged to be married and swooping in with her money to save the day in season 2:

Sidney Parker: I believe I am my best self, my truest self, when I‘m with you.