The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Episode 5 (1997)

 

And so our story draws to a close, mixing all sorts of drama and unfortunate coincidences before reaching its conclusion.  Lady Bellaston, having fallen out with Tom, brings new meaning to the term “hell hath no fury.”  She enlists Lord Fellamar to forever remove Tom from any romantic equation, either through naval conscription or the gallows.  Misunderstandings are made, chance encounters occur, and secrets come to light.

 

As for Sophia, her father and aunt have each championed a prospective fiancée for her, and she can’t stand either of them.  Kept forcibly under a close watch, she has Lord Fellamar thrust before her, offering the promise of land, fortune, and a title.  (Note:  it’s interesting to me that Lord Fellamar is actually in love – or rather, lust – with Sophia.  In stories like this, the Wrong Fiancée is usually only in it for the dowry, all about making the advantageous match.  While it’s true that Sophia’s father is a wealthy squire, Lord Fellamar was head-over-heels before he even knew who she was.  Maybe this sort of romantic villain was more common in the 18^th century?  Admittedly, a lot of the period romances I’ve read are Victorian, which perhaps have different tropes.)

 

Also, I just have to say – Lord Fellamar is involved in one of the best duels I’ve ever seen.  Just stupendous.  Greatest resolution ever.

 

Just a few more actors to mention.  On the Who side, there’s also Ron Cook (Mr. Magpie in series 2’s “The Idiot’s Lantern”) and Rupert Holliday-Evans (Colonel Mace in the Sontaran two-parter from series 4.)  Plus, we can’t forget Frances de la Tour; I’ve seen her in all sorts of things, but I best know her as Madame Maxime, Hagrid’s lady love in the Harry Potter films.

 

Accent Watch

 

RP, as previously stated.

 

Recommend?

 

In General – Quite possibly.  It’s a lot of fun, with some delightful performances.  If you like costume dramas and don’t mind all the scandal, it makes for a good watch.

 

PC-wise – I would.  PC is very good in a role that’s somehow absurd and creepy at the same time.

 

Warnings

 

In addition to what I’ve previously mentioned, there’s a question here of possible incest (probably what got the book blamed for an earthquake.)  Nowhere near approaching the kind of stuff you get on Game of Thrones, but it’s still there, and I know that’s a deal-breaker topic for some.

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Episode 4 (1997)

 

Because misunderstandings, prejudice against bastards, and the disapproval of Sophia’s father isn’t enough, further forces in episode 4 conspire to keep the young lovers apart.  Lady Bellaston, the relation in London with whom Sophia is staying, has taken a shine to Tom, and she’d very much like to keep him all to herself.  Her machinations come fast and furious throughout today’s installment.

 

One of the many prongs in her efforts involves Lord Fellamar.  The dandified, powdered snob is determined to “have” Sophia, and he’s willing to do anything to acquire her.  Fortunately for Sophia, he’s not terribly adept, but he’s tenacious as all get-out and keeps turning up as the proverbial bad penny in her life.  Naturally, once Lady Bellaston becomes aware of Lord Fellamar’s intentions, he becomes involved in her schemes.

 

PC is great in this role.  Lord Fellamar, like I said, isn’t adroit enough to seem intimidating on first glance.  However, his obsessive, single-minded focus is unsettling and doesn’t bode well for the heroes.  He’s a not-all-together rational man with a great deal of power, piles of money, and a woman saying no to him.  Despite his ridiculously made-up appearance and foppish manners, all that could spell big trouble.

 

So hey, how about some of the other scads of British actors in this thing?  Today, we have Tom Jones Cast:  Whoniverse Edition.  This miniseries features Sylvester McCoy (the Seventh Doctor himself,) Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler,) Lindsay Duncan (Capt. Adelaide Brooke in the Tennant special “The Waters of Mars,”) Roger Lloyd-Pack (John Lumic, creator of the Cybermen in the second series of new Who,) and Brian Blessed (Blackadder is usually my first thought when I see him, but he also played King Yrcanos in one of the “Trial of a Time Lord” stories from the Sixth Doctor’s era.)

 

Accent Watch

 

The RP is pretty good.  I can’t hear much Scottish in it, but there’s something that’s just a little bit off – can’t tell what.

 

Warnings

 

An attempted sexual assault.

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Episode 3 (1997)

 

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 18^th 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 18^th-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.