In the gripping third episode of "A Thousand Blows," Saul embarks on a daring break-in at the prestigious Conservative Club in Greenwich, stealthily planting a bomb amidst its hallowed halls. To his astonishment, a pair of unexpected police officers arrive on the scene, unwittingly walking into the impending chaos as the bomb detonates in a fiery explosion.
Meanwhile, Mary stumbles upon Sugar paying a visit to the destitute children at the workhouse. Upon learning from her that Hezekiah has been injured, Sugar, driven by curiosity, confronts Hezekiah directly. The confrontation reveals a shocking truth: Mary's actions were self-serving, motivated by her own devious schemes. He promptly cautions her against placing her trust in Hezekiah, a figure shrouded in mystery to her.
Driven by a complex mix of emotions, Mary subsequently visits her mother, Jane. The encounter is far from heartwarming; Jane's demeanor is harsh and accusatory. She demands money from Mary, swiftly transitioning from financial plea to accuse Mary of abandoning her family. Mary, undeterred, reveals her audacious plan to pilfer from the queen herself, earning a scornful rebuke from Jane who labels her a foolish girl.
Later, Eliza steps in to offer Mary a word of caution, stressing the perilous nature of her mother. "She is a woman to be reckoned with," Eliza warns solemnly.
Elsewhere, the weight of responsibility looms heavy over Alice as one of the elephants, a figure of authority, delivers a stern reminder. "Complete your tasks promptly," it urges, hinting at doubts over her competence. The stakes have never been higher, and Alice knows she must rise to the challenge.Her responsibilities encompass extracting insights from Lady Grace, her employer—a young woman confined by disability who harbors a sense of abandonment from her spouse. Alice entrusts Mary with a letter, the contents of which verify the impending visit of a Chinese delegation. Among the other elephants in the circle, some harbor resentment towards Mary's endorsement of Alice.
Hezekiah persists in his desire to engage Sugar in a boxing match and enlists Alec to impart his fighting prowess. Alec agrees to mentor him, stipulating that they shall wait until his hand mends. In the meantime, they embark on a regimen of sprinting to hone Hezekiah's swiftness, with endurance training looming on the horizon.
Sugar finds himself in a turmoil of frustration, yearning to confront the elite but met with Treacle's reminder that everyone has progressed beyond such ambitions. Matters escalate when Sugar discovers the father of a workhouse girl indulging in ale at their local tavern. In a fit of rage, Sugar delivers a punch, accusing the man of exploiting his charitable gesture—money meant to shield the family from the workhouse's harsh realities.
Meanwhile, the police have embarked on a relentless hunt for Saul, their prime suspect in the bombing saga. Following a swift raid on the tailor's establishment, the elephants — a colorful group of associates — rush to the scene, anxious to ascertain whether Saul's work for them had been confiscated. Fortunately, Eliza discovers their bespoke ensemble hidden amidst the chaos. They rush the garments to Lao, who expresses ignorance about the clothes being dyed yellow, a hue reserved solely for members of the royal family. Fortunately, Lao possesses another suitable outfit for the occasion.
Elsewhere, Eliza stumbles upon a wounded Saul, concealed in a dark alley. Realization dawns on her that he was indeed the perpetrator behind the Greenwich bombing. Despite having ample opportunity to flee, his desire to see her one last time kept him rooted to the spot.
A police officer approaches Sugar with a proposition, urging him to assist in capturing Woolfe. In exchange for his cooperation, the officer promises to turn a blind eye to Sugar's illegal boxing matches, ensuring his continued freedom from legal repercussions.
Hezekiah enjoys a meal meticulously prepared by Lao, who listens intently as the young man reveals the tragic tale of his mother's murder at the hands of the British. Lao offers solace, urging Hezekiah not to conform to society's expectations but to find his own path to resistance. Furthermore, Lao reveals that Mary has generously covered his rent, which she jokingly calls his unpromised work advance, and warmly invites him to go on an adventure tomorrow. Lao outfits Hezekiah in finer attire, and the pair venture out into the bustling town the following day.
Mary leads Hezekiah to a society event where she is recognized as Lady Augusta Farnley. She engages in conversation with Miss Victoria Davies, the queen's goddaughter, who is privy to Mary's multiple identities and the intrigue they entail. The evening promises not just a display of opulence but also a web of secrets and alliances, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and adventure.
She introduces Hezekiah to Peggy Bettinson, a prominent figure in the West End boxing circuit, who is well-versed in Hezekiah's reputation for besting Sugar in the ring. Intrigued by this, Peggy extends an invitation to Hezekiah to join their exclusive boxing club. Moreover, Mary mentions that the Yellow Earl, too, is eager to meet the rising star.
The room erupts in awe as a captivating Black woman steps onto the dance floor, her presence commanding the attention of everyone around. Hezekiah is mesmerized, sensing her inherent power, which aligns perfectly with his own desires. Mary suggests that boxing could be the avenue through which he can harness such strength. He's now onboard with Mary's scheme, but upon realizing the heist involves stealing from the queen, he demands an additional 100 pounds.
Later, Sugar issues Mary an ultimatum: remove Saul from his territory and ensure her plans don't clash with his operations. In a separate altercation, Sugar emerges victorious in a fight against Bert Arnott, just as the police descend upon the area in search of Saul.
Meanwhile, Alec and Esme share a fleeting kiss, their moment interrupted by Eliza's plea for assistance. She enlists Alec's help in hiding Saul while he recuperates. Though he urges Eliza to flee with him once he's healed, her loyalty to the elephants keeps her rooted in place.
When Mary discovers Saul's hiding spot, her disappointment is palpable. She summons Charlie Mitchell, an expert in such matters, who proceeds to amputate Saul's arm under Mary's guidance, drawing from her prior experience with similar cases. The following day, they bid farewell to Saul, while Eliza makes the heart-wrenching decision to stay behind, her place firmly alongside the elephants. Mary sternly warns her against challenging her leadership again.
Hezekiah and Alec's training intensifies, with Hezekiah now focused on fulfilling his dream of becoming a world champion.
