In defense of Benedict's "be my mistress"
I have seen people online talk about how they are mad that Benedict asked Sophie to be his mistress or that they were grossed out by the question but Benedict's decision makes perfect sense in the context of their story.
First things first, I get that there are certain preconceived notions we have of mistresses within the show and in our current day, but that is why they introduce Mr. Hiscox and Virginia.
Literally the only purpose they have is to show Benedict (and by extension the audience) how having a mistress can be about love. Within 30 seconds of seeing them together in 04x04 we even have Mr. Mondrich say "We must marry according to class, but we do not always love that way" when the group is talking about them. With that in mind, Benedict asking Sophie to be his mistress was really him saying "be mine and let me be yours in the only way society allows us."
That being said, Sophie's reaction makes perfect sense as well. Her life is the consequence of someone having been a mistress. Sophie's demeanor only changes the moment he says the word mistress but was smiling during the confession part of the conversation. Benedict and Sophie are using the same word but with different contexts. Sophie (and people who have been pissed at Benedict online) take mistress to mean the worst thing it can mean but Benedict takes it to mean love defying class like Hiscox and Virginia.
Anywayssss just needed to get that off my chest because I keep seeing people wanting to slap Benedict for asking the question😅
gummygunk
kianamaiart
