osprey_archer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
osprey_archer) wrote2018-09-24 06:34 pm
osprey_archer) wrote2018-09-24 06:34 pm
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BBC Little Women, episode 3
The BBC Little Women continued mediocre through the end. Marmee had one shining moment of actual Marmee-ness when she helped Meg through the birth of her twins; however, she then fled the room and collapsed into tears when Beth told her that she was dying, which sort of canceled that out. Marmee is supposed to be the pillar of the family and I just can’t be having with this weeping willow interpretation.
Also, this production bases Mr. March on Bronson Alcott too much: Bronson never in his life did anything as useful or selfless as becoming a Civil War chaplain.
I also really disliked their interpretation of Laurie, particularly in the last two episodes (which is, after all, two-thirds of the miniseries): his friendship with Jo seems to consist entirely of Laurie relentlessly scooting closer on the couch while Jo interposes a sofa pillow between them in an attempt to keep him from confessing his love yet again. Where are the good times they have together? All Laurie ever does is make a nuisance of himself.
You would think this would at least leave the field clear for Jo & Professor Bhaer, and their interpretation of Bhaer is in fact pretty sympathetic - although I think it’s cheating a bit to have him complain about the trashiness of sensation papers when he doesn’t even know that Jo writes for them, and recant instantly once he discovers that she does. But it doesn’t get much time; and neither does Amy’s romance with Laurie, or even Beth’s death (although there is a very nice seaside scene with Jo & Beth). Where did all the time go? Did Laurie’s endless love confessions suck it all up?
Unless the character is Lord Peter Wimsey, it is never necessary to have a character fruitlessly confess his love four times. And anyway Lord Peter’s love confessions illuminate different aspects of his relationship with Harriet (and also Harriet’s charging feelings) whereas Laurie’s confession scenes are all identical: he scoots closer to Jo, Jo begs him not to bring this up again, Laurie leans in and insists on confessing his love yet again, Jo refuses him, tears, anger, etc.
Also, Amy is quite reformed by the end - or at least has shown no further inclination to slink about performing evil. Quite frankly I would like to see her performing evil on this version of Laurie: it might improve him. Certainly it might have improved the series.
Also, this production bases Mr. March on Bronson Alcott too much: Bronson never in his life did anything as useful or selfless as becoming a Civil War chaplain.
I also really disliked their interpretation of Laurie, particularly in the last two episodes (which is, after all, two-thirds of the miniseries): his friendship with Jo seems to consist entirely of Laurie relentlessly scooting closer on the couch while Jo interposes a sofa pillow between them in an attempt to keep him from confessing his love yet again. Where are the good times they have together? All Laurie ever does is make a nuisance of himself.
You would think this would at least leave the field clear for Jo & Professor Bhaer, and their interpretation of Bhaer is in fact pretty sympathetic - although I think it’s cheating a bit to have him complain about the trashiness of sensation papers when he doesn’t even know that Jo writes for them, and recant instantly once he discovers that she does. But it doesn’t get much time; and neither does Amy’s romance with Laurie, or even Beth’s death (although there is a very nice seaside scene with Jo & Beth). Where did all the time go? Did Laurie’s endless love confessions suck it all up?
Unless the character is Lord Peter Wimsey, it is never necessary to have a character fruitlessly confess his love four times. And anyway Lord Peter’s love confessions illuminate different aspects of his relationship with Harriet (and also Harriet’s charging feelings) whereas Laurie’s confession scenes are all identical: he scoots closer to Jo, Jo begs him not to bring this up again, Laurie leans in and insists on confessing his love yet again, Jo refuses him, tears, anger, etc.
Also, Amy is quite reformed by the end - or at least has shown no further inclination to slink about performing evil. Quite frankly I would like to see her performing evil on this version of Laurie: it might improve him. Certainly it might have improved the series.
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WAT
Also, this production bases Mr. March on Bronson Alcott too much: Bronson never in his life did anything as useful or selfless as becoming a Civil War chaplain.
BRB LOLLING MY ASS OFF, sorry, I loathe Bronson Alcott completely. He would never do something so helpful and non-Bronson-centered!
I think it’s cheating a bit to have him complain about the trashiness of sensation papers when he doesn’t even know that Jo writes for them, and recant instantly once he discovers that she does
....that scene does sound like fanfic, hah.
Also, Amy is quite reformed by the end - or at least has shown no further inclination to slink about performing evil.
She is BIDING HER TIME. Watching that pillow. And waiting.
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Yeah, pretty much.
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I'd misremembered the March's poverty as being a direct result of Mr. March's selfless Civil War service, but as it turns out, there's a Bronsonesque detail early on: apparently Mr. March "tried to help a friend" and subsequently lost a ton of property, whoops. :(
I don't like Marmee, but I agree that she's not going to flee the room when her teenage daughter tells her she's dying, good heavens. I'll be very surprised if that happens in the book.
Anyway, Bronson Alcott is the worst.
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