Episode 4 of Black Cake kicks off with an improbable encounter between Eleanor and Gibbs. After learning of the accident, Gibbs had lost all hope, only to be bewildered by the sight of Eleanor's face and the touch of her hand. Unsure of his reaction, Eleanor opts to keep her Glasgow ordeal a secret. They had finally found each other, their soulmates, ready to embark on a life together. For a while, it seemed perfect.
But fate had other plans. One day, Edwina, from Covey's boarding house, caught a glimpse of Eleanor outside the theater, leaving Eleanor breathless and fleeing into the downpour. Fearing for Gibbs' safety, Eleanor pleaded with him to sever all ties with her, not wanting him to be entangled in her mess and live a life of secrecy and constant vigilance. But Gibbs defied her wishes, binding Eleanor to his life forever with a marriage proposal. And thus, Eleanor became Mrs. Bennet, Gibbs' middle name taking on a new meaning.
With the financial support from his parents' estate, they escaped to the US, starting a new chapter. Eleanor affectionately called him Bert and revealed to him that he was the father of B&B. We flashback eight years, to the Thanksgiving when Benny ran away. Eleanor panics as Bert, playing charades, mistakenly calls her Covey. The children remain oblivious, while Bert apologizes and suggests telling them the truth. But Eleanor fears it would create a rift rather than bring them closer, a decision she later regrets.
In the present, the children take a break, pondering why Eleanor never told Bert about Glasgow. Byron tries to console Benny, who feels betrayed by Bert's past. Benny's reason for running away and avoiding contact with her family for nearly eight years remains a mystery. The siblings return to their partners for the night, but not without turmoil. Lynette, Byron's wife, suddenly lambasts him for not using his "race card" to secure a promotion, convinced that racism played a role in his rejection. She accuses him of cowardice, unable to stand up for himself. Meanwhile, Benny's bisexuality remains a secret from her parents, though her then-girlfriend Joanie encourages her to embrace it.
In the present instant, Benny comes across Steve, her agent, who reveals an enticing offer for one of her cherished paintings. Yet, Benny falters, for this artwork holds a profound personal value. Our memories rewind to a fateful Thanksgiving, where Benny introduces Joanie to her family. Upon learning of Joanie's culinary school dropout, Bert unleashes a torrent of harsh words, pushing Benny to the brink of despair. Bert's mockery extends to Benny's perceived bisexuality, branding her as a "string of failures" who cannot commit. From that moment, Benny charts her own course in life.
A year later, Benny's artistic creations are displayed in an exhibition, where she crosses paths with Steve for the very first time. Impressed, he extols her as a "talented soul," leaving Benny flushed with pride. Steve, a renowned artist, offers Benny an apprenticeship, and soon, a bond blossoms between them. However, their idyllic union is shattered by an unexpected encounter with Joanie.
After that fateful meeting, Steve's demeanor changes drastically. He suspects Benny of exploiting him and resents her social circle. This may mark the beginning of the end for their tumultuous relationship.
One evening, they are together when Benny receives news of Bert's passing. She is overwhelmed by emotion, berating herself for avoiding him for two years despite their mutual pain. Steve becomes possessive and aggressive when she refuses his advice to skip the funeral. He relentlessly emphasizes his importance to Benny, his words turning harsh, ultimately culminating in a violent outburst.
With a visible bruise on her face, Benny is unable to attend the funeral, instead watching it remotely from her car. Benny confides in Byron the truth of that fateful day. He assures her of his unwavering support, and she reciprocates with heartfelt gratitude. The episode concludes with Eleanor advising her children to embrace the imperfections of those they love.
