Carston is off on his own. He is such a dolt at times, too young to know the implications of his actions. He has decided to take up the law, so he can look into the people controlling his possible inheritance. Of course, here is a twenty year old looking into something that batteries of lawyers have been perusing for decades. He has also fallen into the firm with Guppy, who is up to no good. His interest is entirely in Esther. He's also slimy enough to be dangerous. Jo, the young boy who helped Lady Dedlock, is cornered and has to admit that he helped someone (he doesn't know her name) look into the circumstances of Nemo's death. Mr. Krook is piling up documents, even though he can't read any of them.
2 Reviews
Inheritance complications
TheLittleSongbird4 August 2019
'Bleak House' became an instant favourite first watching it in 2005, also reading the book concurrently. Still hold it in extremely high regard, one of the best literary period television adaptations in the past twenty years or so. Don't know which is better between this and the 1985 adaptation, both wonderful in their own way. That adaptation was more faithful, without feeling overly so (yes there is such a thing), while this is more accessible, particularly when you've either not read the book or reading it at the same time.
Am saying this because 'Bleak House' is a very long book, one of Dickens' longest, with a complicated story where there is a lot going on, and very meaty characters that are mostly complex. All three of the previous episodes of this adaptations are superb and achieve their main objectives, the first in setting things up and the next two building upon what was set up and introducing more. That is also what Episode 4 does and does so equally as superbly. A lot goes on but not in a way where the episode feels bloated or over-complicated.
Visually, this looks wonderful. It's beautifully shot and the Victorian era is nailed in both look and atmosphere, although the buildings and costumes are so handsome to look at one can feel and smell the full impact of the dangerous living conditions present in the era. The music fits nicely.
The characters are still interesting, the complexity and important character traits still maintained but expanding too. The dialogue is literate and thoughtful in an accessible way, without being too wordy which is a feat as Dickens is talk-heavy and it can be quite dense. All of the major subplots are interesting, though at this point of the series there are more interesting characters than Richard (mainly due to that there's been more time dedicated to them) and didn't make me restless or unfocused.
Have no issues with the acting. Gillian Anderson's Lady Dedlock is as tortured and artistocratic as ever and Timothy West shines here too. Despite the name, the Guppy of Burn Gorman is one that one can easily take seriously without that aspect being overdone.
In summation, if you loved the previous three episodes the fourth won't disappoint. 10/10
Am saying this because 'Bleak House' is a very long book, one of Dickens' longest, with a complicated story where there is a lot going on, and very meaty characters that are mostly complex. All three of the previous episodes of this adaptations are superb and achieve their main objectives, the first in setting things up and the next two building upon what was set up and introducing more. That is also what Episode 4 does and does so equally as superbly. A lot goes on but not in a way where the episode feels bloated or over-complicated.
Visually, this looks wonderful. It's beautifully shot and the Victorian era is nailed in both look and atmosphere, although the buildings and costumes are so handsome to look at one can feel and smell the full impact of the dangerous living conditions present in the era. The music fits nicely.
The characters are still interesting, the complexity and important character traits still maintained but expanding too. The dialogue is literate and thoughtful in an accessible way, without being too wordy which is a feat as Dickens is talk-heavy and it can be quite dense. All of the major subplots are interesting, though at this point of the series there are more interesting characters than Richard (mainly due to that there's been more time dedicated to them) and didn't make me restless or unfocused.
Have no issues with the acting. Gillian Anderson's Lady Dedlock is as tortured and artistocratic as ever and Timothy West shines here too. Despite the name, the Guppy of Burn Gorman is one that one can easily take seriously without that aspect being overdone.
In summation, if you loved the previous three episodes the fourth won't disappoint. 10/10
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