User Reviews

Tulkinghorn is overplaying his hand it would seem. For one thing, his treatment of Lady Dedlock is becoming less powerful because of her desperation. There are signs here that he is starting to put himself in danger. Her loyalty to her old man husband who is not much of a prince was never an issue. If she goes down and takes him with her, she wouldn't be the worse for wear. Also, there is that French woman who was made promises. She doesn't back down. And then there is the Captain who is told in this episode that his debts have been called in. And our wonderful Mr. Jarndyce finally gets the courage to ask Esther to marry him and immediately regrets doing it. There are all kinds of possibilities and I can't wait.

Fourteen years on and 2005's 'Bleak House' has proven to have held up brilliantly. Thought at the time it was one of the best things on television to air that year, and it is not hard at all to see why. It is also among my favourite Dickens adaptations, or at least among the television adaptations. Have always generally thought that Dickens' work lends itself better to television, with a lot of the books being long and the story and characters quite complex, 'Bleak House' is one of the books that in my mind would not work as a film for those reasons.

In Episode 10, the tension really does mount (especially between Tulkinghorn and Lady Dedlock), the intrigue increases (again especially with those two, and concerning Jardyce as well) and things become more complicated as more is revealed (like with Sergeant George's debts). Making for another superb instalment that is wholly successful at building on things already known and setting things up for what is to come.

Cannot fault the episode on a visual level. It is handsomely and evocatively designed while showing how dangerous living conditions were at the time (one actually feels that watching), all while being beautifully and atmospherically shot. The music fits well as ever.

The dialogue is literate and thought-provoking with a smooth flow and not coming over as rambling. Dickens prose is very wordy, but there isn't too much of that feeling here luckily. The story never loses interest and handles the numerous story strands beautifully, as said the tension and intrigue keeps increasing and it was rewarding somewhat to see Tulkinghorn less powerful. The heart that the Jarndyce and Esther subplot has balances out the tension well.

All the performances are very fine, Charles Dance, sinister without being pantomimic, and Denis Lawson, portraying Jarndyce with understated dignity, sharing top honours.

Summing up, wonderful. 10/10