"Better a fallen rocket than never a burst of light."
~ Tom Stoppard, The Invention of Love

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Fallen Angel: Episode 3 (2007)

 
As predicted, PC gets more to do in this episode.  Not as much as I’d like, but I’m a PC fan/big-time Whovian who’s just had her appetite whetted for the Twelfth Doctor and has another month to go before Christmas.  I’m what you might call hard to sate.
 
Anyway, episode 3 moves further back in time to Rosie’s childhood.  Henry’s wife Wendy is the witness to the increasingly suspect events occurring around Rosie, because she’s moved in with Rosie’s family since her separation from Henry.  It’s never really spelled out why they’ve parted, though feelings are pretty heated on Wendy’s side.    It might have just been growing conflicts and frustrations aggravated by their unsuccessful attempts to start a family; they don’t go into detail.
 
The Henry we see here has a good deal more character than the one in episode 2.  He longs to get his wife back, and he can’t help being a little undignified in his sorrow.  Whatever happened between them, they must have really loved each other once, or Henry wouldn’t be so desperate and Wendy so angry now.
 
He also really seems to understand Wendy.  While working as an assistant in the parish library, Wendy happens upon the works of the poet that will later fuel Rosie’s obsessions.  Wendy becomes fascinated with his story, and though Henry doesn’t share her interest, he gladly assists her investigation into the poet’s history.  Sure, a big part of that is because he wants to be around her, but he also realizes that this is important to her and sets out to help.
 
It’s still not a huge role – tertiary character, maybe – but PC works very efficiently.  Despite relatively little screentime and not many details in his characterization, he (and Clare Holman) manage to make you care about Henry and Wendy as a couple.  I know I was hoping for those two crazy kids to work it out.
 
Accent Watch
 
Yep, RP.  Sounded better here than in the previous episode.
 
Recommend?
 
In General – If you’re into dark and cerebral dramas, you might like it.    The Rosie story was unraveled effectively, and I liked delving into the life of the poet.
 
PC-wise – Possibly.  He has a few really nice scenes.    However, he’s definitely used to the best effect in episode 3.
 
Warnings
 
Nothing further.

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