Gads, ever since I watched Pride and Prejudice, I've been thirsting for period drama. I've tried re-watching the older version of P&P but it didn't quite pique my interest. But when I saw a clip of North and South on Youtube, I just knew I had to watch it. I'm not really used to watching period romance, I've been used more to reading it. But I've discovered that it is such a pleasure to watch it! To see for myself their clothes, to hear their accents, to know how a country ball looked like. It's hard to imagine when you've never seen anything like it in your life. HAHAHA.I also want to mention that this is a show by BBC. Recently, I've really grown to liking their shows. (Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sherlock, Doctor Who). I also know they do a lot of good period drama. The good thing is they do them as serials which, I think, is waaaay better than doing them as movies. Especially the adaptations like Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and other stuffs. The first BBC show I've watched is, of course, Sherlock which is NOT a period drama. Anyway, I want to talk more about North and South.
This drama is set in the time of the Industrial Revolution, I've gathered. And it's about the differences between the slower-paced, more rural South of England and the Industrialized North. This show is based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. I've recently downloaded an e-book version of this and I am soooo looking forward to reading it. Much so, in fact, that I have also downloaded an audio book that I can listen to if I can't get a hold of a computer or an e-book reader. Last night, HAHA, I listened to it till I fell asleep and my dream was infused with bits of the story. It's so funny.
Okay, so this is a synopsis from the BBC website.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's industrial north, it follows the fortunes of Margaret Hale, one of 19th century literature's most original heroines.
Played by Daniela Denby-Ashe, Margaret is a privileged, middle class southerner who is forced to settle in the northern town of Milton.
Margaret takes instant offence to the town and its people. She becomes terribly lonely and hates the dirt, noise and lack of civilisation, blaming their new way of life for her mother's ailing health.
Her distaste for the town and its people extends to handsome and charismatic cotton mill owner John Thornton, (Richard Armitage), whom she believes epitomises everything she dislikes about the North.
However, Margaret gradually begins to settle in Milton. Her social conscience awakens and she befriends some of the local mill workers, learning about their poverty and workplace struggles.As events conspire to throw Margaret and Thornton together, the two spirited characters have to overcome their repressed physical attraction for one another and conquer prejudices of class and circumstance.
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Another shorter one from Wikipedia
North & South is a British television drama serial, produced by the BBC and originally broadcast in four episodes on BBC One in November and December 2004. It follows the story of Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a young woman from southern Englandwho has to move to the North after her father decides to leave the clergy. The family struggles to adjust itself to the industrial town's customs, especially after meeting the Thorntons, a proud family of cotton mill owners who seem to despise their social inferiors. The story explores the issues of class and gender, as Margaret's sympathy for the town mill workers conflicts with her growing attraction to John Thornton (Richard Armitage).
The serial is based on the 1855 Victorian novel North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell. It was adapted for television by Sandy Welch and directed by Brian Percival.
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This drama is actually so sweet and romantic. I also like the history behind it. If you know Pride and Prejudice, the love story is actually quite similar. How the heroine hates the hero at the beginning and all that.
What I really really really like about this drama is the hero, John Thornton. At first, I didn't really like him. I don't think anybody would've liked him in his first scene because he actually beats up one of the workers in his mill. HAHA. But he had a reason for beating up the lad, at least. As the story progresses, my word! You are going to adore every fiber of his being. He is a complete momma's boy. HAHA. No, I wouldn't actually say that. It's just that his mom is all he has in the world. His mother absolutely loves him, although she could be overly protective. I also like their not-so-typical relationship, although it's easy dislike his mother. Another reason why John Thornton is amazing is because of the actor who portrayed him, Richard Armitage. HE IS SOOOO FRIGGIN' AWESOME! What an excellently effective actor. I am totally besotted with his piercingly fierce eyes and his half-smiling wry lips. Gosh! The thing is, I like details in what I watch. I like to notice the little things. And Richard is the kind of actor who pays attention to those things. So, I really love every flicker of his eyes, every tilt in his tone of speaking, every twitch of the corner of his mouth. He acts with those small details and I just feel elated watching him. I guarantee you, you will fall in love with him. **Oooh! I'll disrupt this train of thought to mention that Richard is going to be in The Hobbit! Although I seriously don't think he'll be as awesome looking there. I think he's the guy, that character, I always see with his face covered with mustache and beard. HAHA. Although his sideburns in North and South is most definitely charming too. END**
I like it that I know more about Thornton than I do Margaret. I know about his feelings more than hers. He even falls in love with her earlier! It's like he's the main protagonist here. And Margaret is the ethereal closed-off character he adores.
It's quite easy to make audience develop a liking towards Thornton. He is pretty much like Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Dark, brooding and exceedingly moody brute. But his show of vulnerability, his declaration of love even though he knows "such a woman cannot care for him", oh gads, you do not only trust the man, you actually become smitten.
Everyone is particularly in shambles because of the "Look back. Look back at me." scene. OH, but I'm telling too much already.
I would love to watch this thing with you guys. It's just four episodes (pouting), PLEASE????
HAHAHA.
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