Crimson Petal

[Frimblypoo]

Chris O'Dowd's todger! I can't watch the IT crowd in the same way again!

Who was Gillian Anderson? Because I did not spot her.

Mrs Castaway was played by Gillian Anderson.

i've interviewed Romola Gara before, and can report that she is everything you would want her to be. really smart woman.

Really? I did not see that.

I'm going to have to watch last nights again because I came in a little late and was a bit confused.

I'm really enjoying it though and it's so sad. I don't think he means to be abusive, I think he thinks he's doing the best for everyone but is totally blind to what's going on around him. The doctor I think is being abusive though. OK they might have thought that was an acceptable way of examining a woman but he doesn't seem to be just examining her IYSWIM.

I thought Gillian Anderson was brilliant as Mrs Castaway. She looked positively raddled.

I have no idea what any of this means, but I want to watch it!

MIssed the first one but it's great fun isn't it?
At first I was annoyed at Romola Garai's blank boring acting, having seen her be far more perky in other things. But then I started to realise that the character has learnt not to show emotions to cope with her work and an untrustworthy mother-figure. The blank face and voice also hides the seething book that's being written in her head I suppose.

Can't wait for next week - loving this series; perfect Wednesday evening telly (well that and 'If Walls Could Talk' - I love Lucy ;o)

confuddled - I felt fairly sympatheic towards him until last night's episode. I can't really fathom why he wanted to do that to Agnes, as he'd previously seemed quite protective of her. Was it a "misguided" display of affection? Is his "protectiveness" of her borne out of love, or does he not want the shame of a wife who is in a mental asylum?

Amanda Hale is playing the part brilliantly. I wonder if we will see what happens to Agnes or Christopher.

And I know it's stating the obvious, but bloody hell! life as a Victorian woman was just appalling.

I loved the totally lucid bit from Agnes when he pinned her down on the bed- she's got it right when she says all he worries about is what other people think.

I felt similar about Sugar not reacting when she has so much knowledge of what is going on....e.g. Dr. Curlew abusing Agnes etc.

And after a few minutes of feeling I was going to explode pleading the telly to "say something" I realised two things that affect Sugar's actions. The period was when women were ruled and obeyed and also Sugar has an agenda and knows knowledge is power.

Although I'm a little worried to what will happen to our heroine, as Romola was interviewed on BBC Breakfast three weeks ago and Bill and Sian said that Sugar has all the power over William in the first two episodes but the tables turn in the second two.

I'll be sad next week when it ends. Roll on Downton Abbey!

ColdComfortHeart- I think there is something up Sugar's sleeve re: snapping at Sophie, the little girl, when they were in the garden re:her Father's words. I think she is maintaining a distance between them on purpose, perhaps?

And I have just remembered all the times she was being sick, an heir to the throne possibly? Only boys could inherit.

I don't want a spoiler and haven't read the book btw. Just enjoying the tv program and excited for the next installment!

Yeah, last night was strange, it didn't seem to follow how he'd been before so I'm wondering why because I don't think he meant it to be sinister. I can't believe I'm defending it but I honestly don't think he meant it or if he did it was a moment that he'll regret and probably did at the time.

I want the DVD so I can watch it properly, I don't think I've given it enough dedicated time when it's been on!

Oh lookit we're on Discussions of the Day!!

Ooooh Aitch have you? I love her. She seems very clever, I love watching her. She did a CBeebies bedtime hour story a while ago.

Have just watched episode 2 and am enjoying it immensely, though haven't read the book. I love the strange relationship between Sugar and Agnes.

So what does Sugar have? Obv am a little behind everyone else - but what is it? Syphilis or something?

No she does not have syphilis, it's a skin disorder called ichthyosis see here

Just watched episode 1 on iplayer and praying it doesn't get taken off before I get the chance to watch 2 & 3 (Tuesday probably) I haven't read the book, but loved this and hopefully will get the book soon. IMO William isn't a heartless man, just a typical Victorian chap with no clue about women. Even his "socialist" credentials don't stretch to women or servants! The doctor seems sinister, but viewed through a modern lens I think many medical practices on women of the day are quite sinister, when they were fairly commonplace back then. Didn't make it any more pleasant for the women though!

Roll on Tuesday!

i have read the book, and although it deals with lots of my favourite meaty issues (angel/whore split, madness, motherhood), i found it ultimarely disappointing. i'm very much a book rather than tv person - so often i think a screen presentation is very prescriptive and overly directing, whereas as a reader you have more creative input. but i LOVE this adaptation - for me, so much better than the book. that's probably the only time in my life i've ever said that!

Was Sugar anything to do with William getting beaten up at the end?

I thought Sugar might have something to do with his being beaten up as when the old woman repeated herself it sounded different, at the time I thought it was Sugar saying it.

I thought William was beaten up so he couldn't be found when the alarm was raised, so he definitely didn't return home until she was well off into the country!

Ooo there's so many twists and imagination can still run wild like a book. But with less time available to read, this works for me!

Just watched the first episode on iplayer on the strength of this thread - I loved it and can't wait to catch up on the rest of it

I've just ordered the book. I did wonder if sugar was responsible for Williams beating. I'm not sure that Agnes' escape to a convent would have 'fitted' with the gritty themes of the book.