As the master of deceit, Tulkinghorn, works to destroy Lady Dedlock by proving the identity and actions of Mr. Nemo, more are made to pay for his evil. Meanwhile, Guppy has dredged up evidence that he feels could be used to get what he wants, namely, Esther Summerson. This episode also focuses on Jo, who is wise to certain things, but who has contracted a serious fever. He is brought into Mr. Jarndyce's house. Lady Dedlock admits to herself something really serious. Excellent exposition. We get more of Smallweed, the venomous lackey of Tulkingthorn. Also, Sergeant George proves and honorable man but one who is in great danger for his kind acts and bad business.
2 Reviews
The evils of Tulkinghorn
TheLittleSongbird3 September 2019
The previous five episodes of one of to me the best Dickens television adaptations, which did a more than admirable (wonderful actually in my opinion) job at adapting one of Dickens' longer and more complicated to adapt books, were all outstanding. The standard getting better and better with each part when there was more revealed, the storytelling became richer and more complex, the sense of mystery built and the characters got more interesting all the time.
Episode 6 is in no way a let down, the complete opposite. As with the previous episodes, the plot progresses, with things introduced, things given more prominence and things building upon what was seen before. The characters also advance, where one sees even more how evil a character Tulkinghorn is, calling him a nasty piece of work here is a big understatement. There is not a sense of coming to a standstill or going backwards, like one worries when an adaptation is as long as this and when the storytelling in 'Bleak House' is so rich.
It didn't feel rushed to me, which is great for so much going on and with an episode length that is relatively short. The story doesn't lose its coherence, which is again great when some of it is complicated to get your head round at first.
Visually, this looks wonderful. It's beautifully shot and the Victorian era is nailed in both look and atmosphere, although the buildings and costumes are so handsome to look at one can feel and smell the full impact of the dangerous living conditions present in the era. The music fits nicely.
Dialogue is literate and thoughtful in an accessible way, without being too wordy which is a feat as Dickens is talk-heavy and it can be quite dense. There is exposition but it doesn't ramble and actually moves the story and character writing forward.
All the performances are strong, the acting honours going to Charles Dance, a very sinister Tulkinghorn and was born to portray him. Despite his name, Guppy is a character that one can take seriously and like, something that Burn Gorman conveys beautifully without going over the top on it. Gillian Anderson is a haunted and artistocratic Lady Dedlock, Hugo Speer is a noble Sergeant George and Phil Davis is a suitably repellent Smallweed who we see more of. Johnny Vegas is not as out of place as feared, really didn't think that a comic actor/comedian would work as Krook.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
Episode 6 is in no way a let down, the complete opposite. As with the previous episodes, the plot progresses, with things introduced, things given more prominence and things building upon what was seen before. The characters also advance, where one sees even more how evil a character Tulkinghorn is, calling him a nasty piece of work here is a big understatement. There is not a sense of coming to a standstill or going backwards, like one worries when an adaptation is as long as this and when the storytelling in 'Bleak House' is so rich.
It didn't feel rushed to me, which is great for so much going on and with an episode length that is relatively short. The story doesn't lose its coherence, which is again great when some of it is complicated to get your head round at first.
Visually, this looks wonderful. It's beautifully shot and the Victorian era is nailed in both look and atmosphere, although the buildings and costumes are so handsome to look at one can feel and smell the full impact of the dangerous living conditions present in the era. The music fits nicely.
Dialogue is literate and thoughtful in an accessible way, without being too wordy which is a feat as Dickens is talk-heavy and it can be quite dense. There is exposition but it doesn't ramble and actually moves the story and character writing forward.
All the performances are strong, the acting honours going to Charles Dance, a very sinister Tulkinghorn and was born to portray him. Despite his name, Guppy is a character that one can take seriously and like, something that Burn Gorman conveys beautifully without going over the top on it. Gillian Anderson is a haunted and artistocratic Lady Dedlock, Hugo Speer is a noble Sergeant George and Phil Davis is a suitably repellent Smallweed who we see more of. Johnny Vegas is not as out of place as feared, really didn't think that a comic actor/comedian would work as Krook.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
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