I read
portions of Tom Jones back when I
took a Restoration-era lit. class. Its
length kept me from reading past the assigned pages, but I enjoyed it as a
microcosm of its period: sex and scandal
mixed with pageantry and propriety.
Evidently, when it came out in 1749, it was considered so shocking that
it got the blame for an earthquake.
PC
shows up halfway through this miniseries, so I’ll bring you quickly up to
speed. Tom Jones, as per the title, is a
foundling. Translation? Illegitimate.
He’s raised comfortably by one Squire Allworthy and falls in love with
the lovely/rich Sophia Western. However,
despite his upbringing, his birth discounts him as a good match. Certain unscrupulous persons defame his
character, and he’s forced to leave home.
Sophia likewise departs, fleeing an odious fiancée, and the two
crisscross one another’s paths on their ensuing adventures leading to London.
PC’s
Lord Fellamar is introduced near the end of episode 3. Not much is known about him yet. Henry Fielding, our narrator, identifies him
as a villain, and he develops an at-first-sight infatuation with Sophia. Based chiefly on the height of his wig, I’m
assuming he’s rather peacock-ish and is probably even worse for Sophia than the
fiancée she ran away from.
With
such a brief look at Lord Fellamar so far, I don’t have a lot to say. Still, I anticipate good things. PC’s turn as Azolan in Dangerous Liaisons proves he can fit in well in 18th
century period pieces, and I bet he’ll be even more fun playing a prissy lord
than a manservant.
Familiar
faces abound, so many that I won’t
even list them all here. I’ll hit the
highlights and probably mention more for the remaining two parts of the
miniseries. Sophia is played by the
wonderful Samantha Morton. We also have
Michelle Fairley (lately Catelyn Stark on Game
of Thrones,) Benjamin Whitrow (Mr. Bennet from the Ehle/Firth Pride and Prejudice,) James D’Arcy (Tom
Bertram in the Billie Piper version of Mansfield
Park,) and Kelly Reilly (it always makes me smile to see her – I discovered
The Spanish Apartment when I was in
college.) Phew!
Accent Watch
He’s
only had a couple lines, shouted in the midst of an uproar. I’m sure it’s RP, but I’ve yet to pass
judgment on it.
Recommend?
In
General
– Quite possibly, if you don’t mind lots of 18th-century
naughtiness. Tons of excellent actors
having a grand old time in an arch, racy adaptation.
PC-wise – Too early to say,
but I’m sure the next two episodes will give me more to work with.
Warnings
Lots of
sexual content, including sex scenes, sexual discussion, and nudity. A brief scene of violence.
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