Dickensian

[EElisavetaOfBelsornia]

Anyone else watching? I am really enjoying it, and have either read more Dickens than I realised, or at least the right books.
I had always imagined Little Nell to be a bit younger though.

That's an idea.
Poor Honoria. Now she doubts herself and probably James.

Blimey, I absolutely did not expect that.

Loving this episode! So sad.
Don't check out links in case of spoilers but
For when it's over I can highly recommend the BBC series of Bleak House. There are two the latest is one with Gillian Anderson and an older with Diana Rigg.... I have read the book and it is big! Worth it though.
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/welcome.shtml<a class="break-all" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bleak-House-Box-1985-Discs/dp/B000GW8TEQ"?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-telly-addicts-2535344-Dickensian" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.amazon.co.uk/Bleak-House-Box-1985-Discs/dp/B000GW8TEQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bbc.co.uk/drama/bleakhouse/welcome.shtmlwww.amazon.co.uk/Bleak-House-Box-1985-Discs/dp/B000GW8TEQ

Yes yes, I keep hearing Gillian Anderson in my head - the scene where she's telling Miss Summerson the story of little Esther's birth and (she believed) death.

What an upsetting episode tonight. How could Frances be that evil and heartless, to her sister and the poor little baby.? She's ruined Honoria's life by not telling her her baby was alive, the Captain's too and possibly baby Esther's. It was so sad when Honoria said she kept imagining she could hear the baby crying and that made her milk come. Just what her baby desperately needed and Frances didn't say a word. Coming after the heart-to-heart she'd had with Honoria it was even worse.
I feel very sorry for the Cratchits too.

Didn't expect that either! I still don't think it was any of the Cratchits.

Oh goodness I don't think I can stand the suspense. Oh Frances, oh Mrs Cratchit.

I don't think the murderer is Mr or Mrs C but I'm coming back to a theory I had earlier is it young Peter Cratchit?

Oh and nice touch Hawdon becoming "Nemo".

Could the baby be taken in by Miss Havisham? Esther is very similar sounding to Estella

That would be a huge plot diversion tho'

Oh and poor Arthur, you finally do the right thing and it's too late.

Lass what was the reference to Hawdon becoming Nemo? I missed that.

"Without you I am nothing. I am no one."

Buuuuut in Bleak House, Hawdon didn't even know about the baby - he was posted overseas almost immediately after lying with Honoria.

MrFeynman Yes indeed.

3 episodes to go. I'm gripped. That poor baby I assume she was being handed in to the Bumbles ' workhouse?

That was intriguing, wasn't it? Who has her? It was a male figure, but I didn't think corpulent enough for Bumble. And why a meeting at the docks rather than just leaving poor wee Esther on the workhouse or church doorstep, as per?

I don't think the intention is to stick rigidly to creating a backstory which leads to the plots in the novels.

At the beginning of this thread we discussed it and we thought they would not interfere with the plots.

I then found an interview with Tony Jordan in The Telegraph which indicated they weren't going to be bound by the existing plots.

So far Nell didn't die; Jip has wandered into the wrong book; Silas Wegg has acquired a pub; Mr and Mrs Bumble married earlier than they should have; Esther appears to have been put in an orphanage rather than being brought up by her aunt (although I suppose she might be reclaimed)

I do hope Amelia doesn't marry Compeyson.

Just a thought but could Mrs Cratchit make more of a business of her pie-making given their excellence?

Very intriguing Mr F. You are right. I don't think It was Bumble. It was done very discreetly -Bumble would have made a song and dance about it.

What do you think to it being Mr JJ (not yet introduced in this series)?

Ah, thank you for the gen from the Tony Jordan interview. I hope they don't do too much violence to plots, though...

I think there is still hope for Amelia being prevented from marrying Compeyson. Mr Jaggers is getting someone to find out everything they can about him. Hopefully Arthur will redeem himself when the time comes but Amelia will still be heart broken.

What do you think to it being Mr JJ (not yet introduced in this series)?

Interesting. The reason for JJ being Esther's guardian has always been a bit vague. I can't now remember if he knew Frances Barbary or if it was arranged through an approach being made on her behalf by their mutual lawyer. I think it was the latter.

I suppose Esther becoming his ward could be advanced.

It was so well done, wasn't it?

How delighted Frances was when the baby was alive, and then thinking that perhaps it would be better if it was thought that the baby had died.

Just watched the baby's birth and rolling pin episodes on catch up. Absolutely drained. I can't bear Frances to have done that.

More great acting - thought Frances and Honoria were both fantastic.

Brilliant episode. Frances was doing what she thought was the best for everyone. Captain Horden hadn't showed up and she thought Honoria and the baby would both be left in shame and penury. By the standards of the day she did the best she could and it obviously cost her emotionally.

Oh you're right. I'd overlooked Frances didn't know Hawdon eventually turned up. She is of course right that he's a waste of space anyway.

I love this series. Would have said what fun it was, but little Esther's birth was harrowing, but so well performed. I loved the rolling pin device - never saw that coming and it was just perfect that the answer arrived on a plate!

Even if Hawdon had been promoted, he's a drinker & a gambler, isn't he?

Isn't Honoria lucky that her father hasn't just turned her out?

(Or doesn't he know?)