A little Madness in the Spring

***A little Madness in the Spring*** is the sixth episode of the third season of Apple TV+'s *Dickinson*. It is the twenty-sixth episode of the series overall, and aired on November 25, 2021

## Synopsis

*The Dickinsons take a fun family outing to an asylum. Henry helps the soldiers with a uniform inspection.*

## Plot

The Dickinson family takes a tour of a women’s mental asylum, where each member of the family gets a taste of what they desire. For Edward it’s a place to stamp his name on; his idea of legacy is tied into institutions. His wife, however, just wants to escape from the world and likes the idea of spending a few weeks in a place where you can do nothing but relax; even if it means pretending to be crazy to get in .

Lavinia, still reeling over Henry Shipley and Joseph Lyman’s deaths during the ongoing war, finds solace in another woman grieving over the latter. Shocked to discover they both mourn the same lover, she takes pleasure learning that Lyman only really had eyes for her; that is, until she remembers that he is dead.

Emily, who’s at most danger of being committed, finds a group who has been casted aside by society, rebels of conformity like her. Abby Wood and others have been locked in a dungeon, and she bravely leads them to their escape, unaware that at that very moment the head doctor is negotiating her own stay in the facility.

On the frontlines, Henry is finding it increasingly difficult to motivate the black squadron. He believes Higginson’s promise that a successful uniform inspection could lead to their being armed, but the others have seen this trick done before. To inspire them, he brings out his sewing kit, and talks of his life. Henry has been writing letters to Betty that he refuses to send. “Maybe it’s better they forget me,” he says, “as odds are they’ll never see me again.” But little does he know the harm he’s causing back in Amherst.

Nevertheless, Henry advocates for making the small changes they can, rather than feel useless in the face of things they have no sway in. “The world tore my family apart,” he tells them, “and sadly my sewing skills can’t mend a broken community or a broken heart. But what I can fix is a uniform”.

Back in Amherst, Edward refuses to sacrifice his daughter for his reputation but does not care for the others suffering in the asylum. Likewise, Henry’s uniform inspection does little to change the situation of the squadron. Despite an advancing army, Higginson waffles, in a true white liberal manner, on the issue of arming them. Both attempts at group liberation are blocked by the white men in charge, but it’s significant that Henry sees the pain of the black soldiers and vows to step up the fight, whereas Emily doesn’t even look behind, not thinking even of her friend. For Emily, the fight is one she can slip in and out of like a nightgown. For Henry, this is his duty and his life.

Meanwhile, Sue proposes that Austin take an active part in raising their child, but their plan is potentially undercut when Austin receives the draft notice.

## Cast

### Main

* Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson
* Jane Krakowski as Mrs. Dickinson
* Toby Huss as Edward Dickinson
* Anna Baryshnikov as Lavinia Dickinson
* Ella Hunt as Sue Gilbert
* Adrian Enscoe as Austin Dickinson
* Amanda Warren as Betty
* Chinaza Uche as Henry

### Recurring

* Sophie Zucker as Abby Wood
* Gabriel Ebert as Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson
* Marceline Hugot as Patient
* Jordan Lage as Doctor
* Annie Hamilton as Florence

### Co-Starring

* Wavyy Jonez as The Wall
* Myles Evans as Erasmus
* Tristan Griffin as Everett
* Curtis Morlaye as Michael River Jordan
* Jamel Davall Rodriguez as Freddie
* Morgan E. Sullivan as Soldier
* Casey Jane Ellison as Doll Woman
* Sibyl Santiago as Nurse
* Alexio Barboza as Dancer

## Quotes

> TBD
>
> TBA to TBA

## Trivia

* The episode's title and themes are based on "A little Madness in the Spring" which is a poem written by Emily Dickinson.
* This episode also paid homage to *Dante's Divine Comedy* and the short story *The Yellow Wallpaper* written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in January 1892 on the *The New England Magazine*.
* On November 27, 2021, Smith mentioned that that the song "Get Low" by Baby Glume at the end of **A little Madness in the Spring** isn’t even her favorite song of hers that viewers are gonna hear this season💎🎶💞.

## References

1. ↑ A Little Madness in the Spring - Apple.com
2. ↑ A little Madness in the Spring - Emily Dickinson Museum
3. ↑ The Yellow Wallpaper - Wikipedia
4. ↑ Alena Smith Nov. 27, 2021 Tweet - Twitter