'Brideshead Revisited' from the very start was a classic book, given perfect justice by one of the finest book to television adaptations ever made (didn't care for the 2008 film much at all). The characters, the emotional depth, the storytelling, it all comes together, book and adaptation, like a beautifully wrapped package. Things took a darker, more sombre and even meatier tone around the sixth episode (named "Julia") and that continued up to the powerful end.
"Orphans of the Storm" is one of the series' parts where the darker and more sombre turn is evident. Will admit to not finding it quite as engrossing as for instance "The Unseen Hook" of the previous episodes and the very last episode "Brideshead Revisited" of the following two episodes. That doesn't mean that "Orphans of the Storm" is not compelling, it absolutely is in particularly the character relationships and it is still more than excellent in every regard as to be expected. Just found the series more emotionally powerful in other episodes respectfully.
The storytelling still engages, leisurely and deliberate but never dull because it is eventful. "Orphans of the Storm" is at its most dramatically compelling with the relationship between Charles and Celia and with Anthony Blanche. He is an absolute snake here with Nickolas Grace sinking his teeth into the material, one really hates him more than they already do. Celia, as calm and aristocratic as ought, also plays a prominent role and Waugh's brilliant characterisation of the relationship between her and Charles aboard the ship is translated equally brilliantly in the series. Julia, the complete opposite of Celia, has really grown as a character and her development gets richer all the time.
All the acting is great. Grace is a scene stealer and Jane Asher is the embodiment of Celia. Diana Quick is both affecting and formidable. Nearly 40 years on and Charles Ryder is still one of Jeremy Irons' best roles for reasons that have been given in a couple of the reviews for the previous episodes, there is a reason as to why it was his big break.
Likewise with the dialogue, always eloquent and never too heavy on the talk, the retrospective moments are so poetic and as said it is very striking with Charles and Celia. "Orphans of the Storm" looks beautiful, the handsome and authentic period detail complemented in a never overblown or static way by the photography. The direction is accomodating yet assured and the music from the classic main theme to the end is an ideal fit throughout.
Concluding, cannot find anything wrong here. 10/10
"Orphans of the Storm" is one of the series' parts where the darker and more sombre turn is evident. Will admit to not finding it quite as engrossing as for instance "The Unseen Hook" of the previous episodes and the very last episode "Brideshead Revisited" of the following two episodes. That doesn't mean that "Orphans of the Storm" is not compelling, it absolutely is in particularly the character relationships and it is still more than excellent in every regard as to be expected. Just found the series more emotionally powerful in other episodes respectfully.
The storytelling still engages, leisurely and deliberate but never dull because it is eventful. "Orphans of the Storm" is at its most dramatically compelling with the relationship between Charles and Celia and with Anthony Blanche. He is an absolute snake here with Nickolas Grace sinking his teeth into the material, one really hates him more than they already do. Celia, as calm and aristocratic as ought, also plays a prominent role and Waugh's brilliant characterisation of the relationship between her and Charles aboard the ship is translated equally brilliantly in the series. Julia, the complete opposite of Celia, has really grown as a character and her development gets richer all the time.
All the acting is great. Grace is a scene stealer and Jane Asher is the embodiment of Celia. Diana Quick is both affecting and formidable. Nearly 40 years on and Charles Ryder is still one of Jeremy Irons' best roles for reasons that have been given in a couple of the reviews for the previous episodes, there is a reason as to why it was his big break.
Likewise with the dialogue, always eloquent and never too heavy on the talk, the retrospective moments are so poetic and as said it is very striking with Charles and Celia. "Orphans of the Storm" looks beautiful, the handsome and authentic period detail complemented in a never overblown or static way by the photography. The direction is accomodating yet assured and the music from the classic main theme to the end is an ideal fit throughout.
Concluding, cannot find anything wrong here. 10/10
