Great Expectations (TV Mini Series) Episode #1.2 (2023) User Reviews

Morality is for Sunday mornings.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 5/10 · 10 April 2023]

Pip receives his first lesson from Miss Haversham, she introduces him to themes and ideas that he perhaps isn't ready for.

The first episode was a drag, and unfortunately the second episode was no better, now I don't claim to be any sort of expert when it comes to Great expectations, aside from GCSE studies a long old time ago, and several versions, but, was this the story, or was most of it re-imagined?

Mr Pumblechuck, that was a scene I was not expecting to see, what on Earth was writer Stephen Knight imagining when he penned that scene? Not one for schools kids to learn from perhaps.

Although Miss Haversham wasn't quite the character I had in my mind's eye, there is no denying the brilliance of Olivia Colman, a sinister character indeed, credit to her for creating a grotesque, cold tormenter, she is the best element.

I'll score it highly for acting and production values, but the story left me cold, I came away feeling absolutely nothing, I couldn't see any trace of romance, attachment, there simply was no love or yearning.

Maybe there'll be an upturn in quality in the next episode.

5/10.

Episode 2

[Prismark10 · 4/10 · 9 April 2023]

Steven Knight has gone for earthy and raw in his adaptation. There are some F bombs but surely no one expected some S&M!

The second episode opens with Pip playing a game initiated by Miss Havisham. He is blindfolded and needs to find Estella. However there are always obstacles in the true path of love.

If Miss Havisham has known pain from being jilted. Mr Pumblechuck feels pain from the lashings he receives from Pip's sister. That was certainly not in the novel.

Pip is being paid handsomely to be trained as a gentleman. The grown up Pip is suddenly discarded by Miss Havisham and has to eventually fend for himself in London.

Mr Jaggers gets an interesting introduction. He saves a man from the gallows by essentially blackmailing the judge. There are two men due to hang, Jaggers tells the other one that he should had got a better lawyer as his client is freed.

The variations were probably needed but it still does not make this adaptation captivating. Once again it is the Olivia Coleman showcase.