In Paris, 1803, Napoleon has advanced to the title of First Consul, overworked yet serviced by a series of mistresses. He and Josephine have reconciled, with her hoping to bear him a child, but he's not cooperating, always working, and sleeping apart from her -insisting on separate bedrooms. After eight years of marriage, he is considering divorcing her, but Josephine feigns submissiveness in order to retain her position and save her marriage. She cleverly arranges by the pope to marry Napoleon in a Catholic ceremony, in order to become Empress Josephine.
Ambitious young actress (of the Comedie-Francaise) Mademoiselle George, played adroitly by young Nicola Pagett early in her tv career. Is the central character, having become Napoleon's latest mistress. Napoleon is portrayed as a bit schizo here, initially blowing his top at the girl, then christening her "Georgina" and showering her with gifts.
Looking forward to becoming emperor of France, Napoleon is much taken with the acting profession in this segment, play-acting dominant opposite Pagett, including a delightful brief scene in his library featuring a two-story stage set of fake books. Whitelaw is fierce expressing her jealousy, with this newest mistress who threatens to take her place in his life. She has a right to be worried, when Nappy becomes intent on having a child with Georgina.
Holm plays it cool and hot as well in this episode (given to abrupt temper-tantrum outbursts, finally styled minus a wig in the familiar short hairdo we associate with the historical character. Cast of many women is easy on the eye, with the contrasting stars Pagett and Whitelaw a treat. Also introduced is Janina Faye as Caroline, Napoleon's yung sister, well-played.
Interestingly, this Philip Mackie-scripted series has a different director for each of the first four episodes, some evidence that the auteur theory (to which I subscribe) regarding the director's pre-eminent role in shaping a movie, does not pertain to series television to any great extent.
Ambitious young actress (of the Comedie-Francaise) Mademoiselle George, played adroitly by young Nicola Pagett early in her tv career. Is the central character, having become Napoleon's latest mistress. Napoleon is portrayed as a bit schizo here, initially blowing his top at the girl, then christening her "Georgina" and showering her with gifts.
Looking forward to becoming emperor of France, Napoleon is much taken with the acting profession in this segment, play-acting dominant opposite Pagett, including a delightful brief scene in his library featuring a two-story stage set of fake books. Whitelaw is fierce expressing her jealousy, with this newest mistress who threatens to take her place in his life. She has a right to be worried, when Nappy becomes intent on having a child with Georgina.
Holm plays it cool and hot as well in this episode (given to abrupt temper-tantrum outbursts, finally styled minus a wig in the familiar short hairdo we associate with the historical character. Cast of many women is easy on the eye, with the contrasting stars Pagett and Whitelaw a treat. Also introduced is Janina Faye as Caroline, Napoleon's yung sister, well-played.
Interestingly, this Philip Mackie-scripted series has a different director for each of the first four episodes, some evidence that the auteur theory (to which I subscribe) regarding the director's pre-eminent role in shaping a movie, does not pertain to series television to any great extent.