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Dickensian

(194 Posts)
Gagagran Thu 07-Jan-16 20:47:12

I really think this is so good a series that it deserves a thread of its own despite being mentioned in passing in another thread.

Everything about it is excellent from the costumes, the scenery and dialogue. Above all though is the perfectly cast characters - all of whom seem to look exactly as they should! I think Inspector Bucket is my special favourite but all of them have the faces and bearing and delivery of the lines exactly as they should have.

The clever knitting together of so many Dickens' characters is brilliant and I shall be so sorry when it ends. I think the great man himself would be very pleased if only he could see it.

merlotgran Thu 11-Feb-16 23:12:34

Bloomin' good tonight.

DH is driving me mad trying to overthink it.

cornergran Thu 11-Feb-16 23:06:50

Had begun to be just a little bored. Tonight's episode changed that. Looking forward to the next one, rather than think 'I've started so I'll finish'!

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 11-Feb-16 22:55:24

What an episode tonight! shock

I don't care who murdered Jacob Marley, tonight's storyline is much more exciting! Only four episodes left and I haven't got a clue what is going to happen! Top notch stuff! grin

WilmaKnickersfit Sun 24-Jan-16 14:39:05

It's easy to see how some characters like Miss Haversham and Nancy might come to the same end as in the books, but I'm not assuming that will happen. It's good to have a little knowledge of the characters, but I don't know all of them so I'm just going with the flow and enjoying the story.

rosesarered Sun 24-Jan-16 14:25:19

The quality of the acting is good all round,the actor playing Bill Sykes manages to convey a lot with facial expressions, and is very menacing.Pauline Collins is superb.

Imperfect27 Sun 24-Jan-16 09:46:55

Twenty episodes eh? Ah, happy days to come! As long as the quality of acting is upheld and the plots do not get too twisty and unbelievable. I am a bit frustrated with Arthur ...

Greyduster Sun 24-Jan-16 09:33:11

Is it just me, or does anyone else think this is in danger of dragging on a bit? I am enjoying it, but there are so many characters who don't seem to be directly allied to the plot, that the plot itself is in danger of being subsumed within their stories. They drag this out into 20 episodes and condense War and Peace into six! Having said that, it is only a personal niggle, and i am enjoying the quality of the acting. Caroline Quentin's Mrs Bumble is brilliant, and Anton Lessing is a wonderful Fagin.

Imperfect27 Sun 24-Jan-16 08:46:56

Had an iplayer Dickensian binge in the early hours of this morning so I am bang up to date now. It is a long time since I was so enthralled by a programme.

Maybe we do have to let go of the stories we know and stop looking for continuity when so much license has clearly been taken. I would like to think there are some happier endings in store for some of the characters I have warmed to. I never expected to have a soft spot for Sykes!

Tegan Sun 24-Jan-16 00:15:34

Don't even try; just let it wash over you. That's what I do now. I was getting quite stressed trying to understand what I was watching [especially as I tend to fall asleep watching most things now, even if I'm enjoying them...].

Nelliemoser Sat 23-Jan-16 23:53:43

I have also come to this late and I am really enjoying it. I am slowly catching up with the episodes I have recorded. I find the way they have stitched so many different Dickens stories together is really clever.

Not that I have ever read much Dickens other that A Tale of Two Cities.

Howver fitting in my Dickensian catch ups just after watching War and Peace is getting me quite muddled at times.

Courting solidiers and young boys from rich families spending or gambling too much of Dads money.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 23-Jan-16 19:16:45

True.

Tegan Sat 23-Jan-16 17:28:42

If Dickens was alive today he would probably be writing for television.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 23-Jan-16 17:06:17

ly

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 23-Jan-16 17:05:46

I've got a feeling CD might be turning in his grave. It's a right old mish-mash. But very entertaining and atmospherically in it's own right.

There are a few bits that are definitely more of modern day television than anything Dickens would have written.

Tegan Sat 23-Jan-16 16:55:41

Jip did die though. But where in Dickens is his replacement dog..that little fluffy thing?

nigglynellie Sat 23-Jan-16 16:42:28

Came into this a bit late, but am loving it. Not sure why Gyp had to be drowned though, particularly as he originally belonged to Dora in David Copperfield, and wasn't drowned!!! The Bumbles are fantastic, as is Pauline Collins. Goodness knows who the murderer is though!

Marmark1 Sat 23-Jan-16 16:17:10

Pots,the writer was on the breakfast show,he did say how he had (I think)two thousand characters to choose from.

Tegan Sat 23-Jan-16 12:33:51

I'm absolutely loving it! It's always a pleasant surprise finding it on catchup.

Imperfect27 Sat 23-Jan-16 11:48:41

Or ...having invested so much in the set, maybe the Beeb will get their money's worth and churn out another 10 series ...as long as the quality is this good I won't mind! grin

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 23-Jan-16 10:38:49

I'd love to see a second series - with a different story though, no cliff hanger please! The only thing is that it cost a lot to make this series, so maybe the BBC won't be able to do another.

POGS Sat 23-Jan-16 10:34:54

It is a well thought out story and manages to mingle the characters we know so well , must have spent some time deciding which characters to choose. Poor old Miss Havershams pet dog!

I think it is still looking like Bill Sykes but it does seem so obvious a choice confused. Do you think the success of this series will see another involving other characters from his books?

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 23-Jan-16 10:20:13

Sorry, I misunderstood what you meant about being made up. blush Yes, I think she is a made up character.

WilmaKnickersfit Sat 23-Jan-16 10:13:49

I'm not sure time scales matter. As the story is made up, doesn't that mean anything could happen and characters might not have the same ending as in the books?

I think Nancy is a good call Imperfect27. I did wonder if maybe it's Jagger.

At the moment Miss Haversham has no hero to save her, but I'm hoping one will arrive.

Pauline Collins is superb and definitely should get nominated for a BAFTA or something. I don't know the name of the actress playing Miss Biggetywitch but she was in Coronation Street a long time ago. Don't think she's made up, but her hair and costume are great.

We're halfway through the series now, so plenty of time to go! grin

Pittcity Sat 23-Jan-16 09:53:10

Forgot about that imperfect.
I never got to the end of Our Mutual Friend so will need to Google what happened to Wegg and Venus.
Who is Miss Biggetywitch? Is she made up for this series?
It is all so intriguing.

Sparklefizz Sat 23-Jan-16 09:43:04

WTF??? Something went very wrong there. I promise absolutely that I did not post a million times!!!