Mr. Wakefield’s Crusade: Episode 3 (1992)

 

The last installment of Mr. Wakefield’s Crusade brings the story to a fairly satisfying conclusion.  I correctly guessed certain twists early on, and I suspected the big answer about halfway through this episode, but that’s all right.  Luke is much slower to catch on, and some good tension is pulled from concerns that he’ll get it wrong and do something stupid, dangerous, and/or insane.

 

Here, his crusade leads him to several people closely connected with Marion, and we see, more than anything, how eager Luke is for company.  Throughout the miniseries, he indulges a habit of rigging his phone to call his own number, so he can have conversations with imaginary people on the other end.  He uses it to fill the space, to talk through his confusions, and even to bluff others, but it’s nothing compared to the anxiousness and energy he pours into his investigative work/burgeoning friendships in this episode.  He rehearses every conversation numerous times before he has it and fantasizes about becoming the inseparable friend of a man who may or may not be an accomplice to murder.

 

I won’t get much into the resolution.  Suffice it to say that it works for me and seems plausible for the near-surreality of Luke’s world.  Overall, I’m definitely pleased with the series.  Fun, watchable, and interesting, and PC plays Luke with terrifically-unhinged vigor.  This is why I enjoy exploring the filmography of actors I like – while there are always some clunkers, I inevitably find the reverse as well, great works that I never would’ve found otherwise.

 

Wrapping things up:

 

Accent Watch

 

Considering that this role is fairly early relative to PC’s career, I’m impressed with his RP here.  It stays on track, and if I didn’t know he was Scottish, there isn’t much to tip me off that he’s putting on the accent.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Yeah.  Engaging story, entertainingly told and well-performed.  Definite thumbs up!

 

PC-wise – Of course!  It’s a fantastic, funny leading role with a lot of range.  What are you waiting for?

 

Warnings

 

Nothing further to be added.

Mr. Wakefield’s Crusade: Episode 2 (1992)

 

In episode 2, “more than a little off” increasingly becomes Luke’s dominant trait.  The man is rapidly unraveling at the edges, thanks to the one-two punch of his crusade and a lot of unfinished business with his ex-wife.  The police have picked up the Marion trail, and Luke is convinced that they’re wrongfully trying to string him up for the murder.  As such, he can add paranoid to his laundry list of neuroses, which also includes unhinged, hypochondriac, and delusional.  If he doesn’t solve his mystery in the final episode, the guy might actually implode.

 

Even aside from the obvious mental instability, Luke and his story continue to be tons of fun.  This episode involves surreptitious calls to an anonymous tip line, a sanatorium siesta, and the full undercover monty (we’re talking hair dye and false mustaches – Luke don’t mess around.)  There’s also a brief appearance from Miranda Richardson (Queenie!) as a prostitute/potential lead, and I should mention the late Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon from Harry Potter) in a supporting role as the porter for Luke’s building.  The jocular doorman seems well-meaning and friendly, but Luke clearly regards him as one of several banes of his existence.

 

PC is delightfully off-kilter in this, just balls-out crazy but still kind of sweet and sympathetic.  While I don’t know if this role could unseat any of my top ten performances of his, it could definitely make its way into the top twenty.  I’m so glad that PC’s casting as the Doctor has brought these little-known projects to light, because some of them are really great.  It’s wild, the kind of stuff that can slip through the media cracks (although at least PC’s work has survived better than the Second Doctor’s!)

 

Plus, that hair ought to have its own screen credit.  Ah, the ‘90s…

 

Warnings

 

Add prostitution to the sexual content – no sex scenes, but plenty of talk and implications.

Mr. Wakefield’s Crusade: Episode 1 (1992)

 

And here’s the start of what I imagine will be the final Capaldi Fall entry before Who starts up again – at least, I assume another rare Peter Capaldi project won’t surface on the interwebs before next Saturday.  I’m certainly glad this one did, though.  Not only is it a starring role, it’s a highly entertaining one that, if I didn’t know the miniseries was based on a book, I’d suspect of being tailor-made for PC.  A third of the way through the series, and I’m having a bang-up time.

 

Luke Wakefield is a lonely, awkward man whose life is changed at the post office.  When a fellow mailer drops unexpectedly dead, Luke pilfers the letter the man had been planning to send.  One steamed envelope later, and he has a mystery on his hands:  the late Sebastian was writing to his wife Marion at their shared address.  Initial inquiries reveal the more disquieting fact that Marion died six months before her husband, evidently at his hand.  Luke takes it upon himself to pinch the couple’s complete correspondence and discover the full truth.

 

If episode 1 is anything to go by, Luke is one of PC’s most substantial roles not written by himself.  He’s the undisputed lead (just in case the title didn’t tip you off,) and in addition to appearing in every scene and playing opposite all the other characters, he has long stretches where he’s alone onscreen, talking to himself or monologuing via voiceover. 

 

Beyond that, Luke is a dynamite role right up PC’s alley.  He’s a potent combination of deeply awkward and starved for company, resulting in plenty of priceless exchanges with complete strangers.  He’s also sensitive, a bit full of himself, slightly fussy, obsessive, and, on balance, more than a little “off” – prone to flying off the handle at inopportune moments.  He’s a character that lets PC play all over the place, both large and small, and allows his eyebrows to operate on their own agenda.  I get a huge kick out of Luke and can’t wait to see more of him.

 

As for the miniseries itself, I love the premise, and I’m fond of the cheeky storytelling and filmmaking.  In particular, hard cuts are used to great effect.  For instance, after some fiddling with the stolen letter, Luke resolutely shuts it in a drawer.  Followed instantly, of course, by a shot of him steaming the envelope open.  Clever, fast, funny, and off the wall – loving it.

 

Accent Watch

 

A crisp, almost prissy RP.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – So far, a definite yes.  I’m having a great time.

 

PC-wise – Undoubtedly.  Massive amounts of screentime, comedy, drama, and everything in between, and a bit bonkers.  What more do you want?

 

Warnings

 

Sexual references, implied nudity, lots of drinking, and references to violence.