I LOVE Masterpiece Theater!
I have come to a very important realization in the last year. I am a BIG nerd, and I am not ashamed of it! A large key in my newly embraced nerdhood is my passion for classic literature, and films based on said books. There are three little words that send most movie watchers changing the channel, or running out of a theater (faster than if they were viewing the latest Rob Schneider cinematic disaster). PERIOD… COSTUME… DRAMA. Terrified, aren’t you? Since the A & E channel switched its staple programming from quality period drama, such as 1995’s Pride and Prejudice miniseries, to shady reality programming, such as that show about the tattoo parlor in Vegas (though, I must admit, that Dog the Bounty Hunter is one of my guilty pleasures), I have been forced to search for my costume drama fix elsewhere. The only other direction to look to on American television is PBS, and their long running program, Masterpiece Theater. Those two words give me chills, I adore Masterpiece Theater!
Oh, yes dear, Bleak House sounds... delightful.
Sunday, Masterpiece Theater debuted the first episode of their new miniseries, Bleak House, based on the novel by, Victorian era author, Charles Dickens. I must admit, I have not always been a big fan of Mr. Dickens’ work. As a teen I found his writing dark, depressing and often confusing. I remember HATING Great Expectations, the truth is that it still is my least favorite Dickens work. I don’t know why primary school literature teachers use it so often. I must have read it 3 different times in junior high and high school. I had my fill of Pip, Miss Haversham and "vittles". Since experiencing more of life, I have grown a great love and appreciation for the words of Mr. Dickens. I love David Copperfield and Our Mutual Friend. I adore the eccentricities, grittiness and richness, of the characters that overflow from any of his novels. He brings compassion to the weak, and exposes the cruel. Dickens was a champion for the good. His exposer of how the poorest of the poor lived during England’s Industrial Revolution was historic.
Bleak House centers around a never ending lawsuit, and contains Dickens standard array of fascinating characters. Gillian Anderson, of X-Files fame, plays the sad and mysterious Lady Dedlock (don’t you just love the character names in a Dickens novels). Her performance in the first episode was mesmerizing. Ms. Anderson was also superb in a little known film adaptation of Edith Wharton’s tragic novel, The House of Mirth. I really enjoyed the first episode of Bleak House (though, I am not a big fan of the “modern” fast camera movement that seems to plague recent period drama, such as last year’s Pride and Prejudice Lite). I, still, defiantly recommend investing the time in this miniseries. If you want to catch up on the story, or want more information, please check out the Masterpiece Theater web site.
Agent Mulder, where are you when I need you? I am so bored...
Oh, yes dear, Bleak House sounds... delightful.
Sunday, Masterpiece Theater debuted the first episode of their new miniseries, Bleak House, based on the novel by, Victorian era author, Charles Dickens. I must admit, I have not always been a big fan of Mr. Dickens’ work. As a teen I found his writing dark, depressing and often confusing. I remember HATING Great Expectations, the truth is that it still is my least favorite Dickens work. I don’t know why primary school literature teachers use it so often. I must have read it 3 different times in junior high and high school. I had my fill of Pip, Miss Haversham and "vittles". Since experiencing more of life, I have grown a great love and appreciation for the words of Mr. Dickens. I love David Copperfield and Our Mutual Friend. I adore the eccentricities, grittiness and richness, of the characters that overflow from any of his novels. He brings compassion to the weak, and exposes the cruel. Dickens was a champion for the good. His exposer of how the poorest of the poor lived during England’s Industrial Revolution was historic.
Bleak House centers around a never ending lawsuit, and contains Dickens standard array of fascinating characters. Gillian Anderson, of X-Files fame, plays the sad and mysterious Lady Dedlock (don’t you just love the character names in a Dickens novels). Her performance in the first episode was mesmerizing. Ms. Anderson was also superb in a little known film adaptation of Edith Wharton’s tragic novel, The House of Mirth. I really enjoyed the first episode of Bleak House (though, I am not a big fan of the “modern” fast camera movement that seems to plague recent period drama, such as last year’s Pride and Prejudice Lite). I, still, defiantly recommend investing the time in this miniseries. If you want to catch up on the story, or want more information, please check out the Masterpiece Theater web site.
Agent Mulder, where are you when I need you? I am so bored...
posted by Meg | 6:02 PM
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