There have been plenty of good, and even great, adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic Great Expectations.

Unfortunately, this is not one of them.

Most recently, Mike Newell directed a film version in 2012 starring Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter.

BBC, one of the production companies behind this version (along with FX), produced a three-part miniseries in 2011-2012 starring Douglas Booth, Ray Winstone, and Gillian Anderson.

The most famous adaptation this side of the pond is probably Alfonso Cuarón's modern version in 1998, starring Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Bancroft.

News of Steven Knight's version was exciting, particularly with the announcement of Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham.

If you're going to remake something that has been adapted so many times, you have to approach it from a new vantage point.

Cuarón's version, for example, didn't always work, but it did something fresh with the material. What's the point if you're not going to bring a new vision to it, merely a new cast?

This version is bleak and plodding. Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 1 starts promisingly with an interesting hook and then takes us through a thrilling prison ship escape.

Pip: I’m guessing you’re the cause of the cannons.

Magwitch: One of the causes. There are two causes out on these marshes tonight. One’s a lost cause. The other, a just cause.

_{🔗 permalink: One of the causes. There are two causes out on these marshes tonight. One’s a lost cause. The…}

The journeys through the marshes, as well as Pip and Magwitch's inevitable meeting, are done well, but Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 2 is a much duller affair.

Most of Episode 1 plays like a horror movie.

It's eerie and dark and foreboding. The mist on the marshes is shot ominously and atmospherically.

The recurring, sweeping overhead shots of the wetlands are pretty striking. Well done to Dan Atherton, the director of photography, for achieving that all so expertly.

The imagery, too, of Pip wading through the muck is a clever thematic metaphor for the struggle he must endure as he makes his climb in society.

Estella (Chloe Lea) is suitably unnerving as she leads Pip into the seemingly haunted Satis House.

Estella: We don’t need ghosts here. Ghosts would be afraid to come.

_{🔗 permalink: We don’t need ghosts here. Ghosts would be afraid to come.}

Olivia Colman, who's marvelous in everything from Fleabag to The Favourite, is alright here, but she lacks the bite and viciousness needed to make Miss Havisham interesting.

Miss Havisham: Look upon me. Look on what remains of me.

_{🔗 permalink: Look upon me. Look on what remains of me.}

Portraying Havisham (and later Estella) as opium addicts makes sense, with the blend of luxury and decay, but it makes them appear exceedingly bored, which begs the question — why are they toying with Pip at all?

It's hard to understand Havisham's motivations since only dead eyes are behind them. She talks of love and vengeance, but it doesn't land.

Miss Havisham: Love cheats. Love hurts. Do you understand, Pip? Love is unkind.

_{🔗 permalink: Love cheats. Love hurts. Do you understand, Pip? Love is unkind.}

At least she looks fantastic — the costumes by Verity Hawkes are first-rate, not just Havisham's (though she is the crown jewel in that respect) but across the board.

Tom Sweet, who portrays young Pip, is an engaging young actor and easy to root for.

As the older Pip, Fionn Whitehead comes across as more subdued, perhaps a little too subtle for his own good, and he has more chemistry with Biddy (Laurie Ogden) than Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin).

Pip: Everybody knows you’re the cleverest person in school, but you’re a girl, so your cleverness is seen as… like horns on a horse. Odd, alarming, and of no practical use.

_{🔗 permalink: Everybody knows you’re the cleverest person in school, but you’re a girl, so your cleverness…}

The whole Mrs. Gibbons scene is disturbing (though it's obviously meant to be) but doesn't really land because Pip doesn't show any emotion there. 

Pip is ambitious, but he feels like a blank slate sometimes. Since, at this point, we've spent more time with Sweet as Pip, it might just take some warming up to Whitehead's adult version to connect with him.

As it is, we don't really care about any of the characters or why they're doing anything.

Pip: I believe once you have made your fortune, love is not so hard to find.

_{🔗 permalink: I believe once you have made your fortune, love is not so hard to find.}

Havisham keeps incepting the idea of Pip falling in love with Estella into Pip's mind, but we never really see or feel it happen. It's implied that constant repetition, like all his other lessons, will lead him to believe it.

All of a sudden, Pip is in love with her, even though we've seen no indication of it. We need to feel something between Pip and Estella, and at the moment, it's lacking.

Mr. Pumblechook: Observe, absorb, improve.

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One strength of the show is the presence of Matt Berry, who is the perfect Mr. Pumblechook. He's got the most iconic British voice since Alan Rickman (RIP).

Berry was made for Dickens and Shakespeare. If you're adapting a British classic, put Matt Berry in there, and you know he'll nail it. Let the man play Falstaff already. He's very nearly wasted here.

The whipping scene, presumably there to add an edgy subplot and more layers between potentially one-dimensional characters, is a strange choice.

Whipping seems to be the kink of choice in period dramas of late — is it a British thing?

I don't understand the reasoning behind giving Mr. Pumblechook and Sara (Hayley Squires) this secret kinky relationship, what it represents, or what it will come to. Was this in the novel? I certainly don't remember it, and I feel like I would.

Despite this, the dynamic between Pip and Joe (Owen McDonnell) feels grounded and warm, particularly with the hostile Sara in there for some conflict. McDonnell and Squires are great foils for each other and play off each other well.

However, it doesn't last, as we focus more on Pip's lessons at Satis House.

Another fine actor who jolts everything to life is Ashley Thomas as Mr. Jaggers. He's mysterious and menacing, riveting to watch in all of his scenes.

If the show follows the novel, we'll have more of him in upcoming episodes, so that's something to look forward to.

In his small amount of screen time, Thomas shows us exactly the kind of person Jaggers is, even if we don't know all his secrets yet.

Keefus Ciancia's music, particularly Mr. Jaggers's underscore, is another highlight. It's got a tinge of modernity but still supports the story, enhancing the squalid grittiness of the whole thing.

Great Expectations is a dense novel and does work better as a limited series rather than a film because it gives the material room to breathe and a chance for us to get to know the characters.

But, as it stands, two hours in, I'm still not sure what everyone's motivations are or what is the point of it all.

Overall these two episodes offer little promise, though it has set up many characters well (though we still have some significant characters from the novel yet to meet).

There are still four episodes left, so perhaps these two will serve as a prologue, but it seems it's taking its time without doing much deep mining.

Estella: All you have to do is everything I tell you to do.

_{🔗 permalink: All you have to do is everything I tell you to do.}

Biddy: It is a window. A small window, but you’ll crawl through it.

_{🔗 permalink: It is a window. A small window, but you’ll crawl through it.}

It's also relatively humorless. Yes, it's a drama, but the novel has enough fun moments to keep it from being too consistently dreary. 

This story is a classic for a reason, but it shows that a clear vision and strong direction are needed to make it sing 170 years after it was first published.

We'll keep watching to see if it picks up, but we might sneak off to watch Cuarón's 1998 version in the meantime.

What do you think, Fanatics? Do you love the story enough to be engaged with these new portrayals, or are you bored? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Great Expectations premieres on Hulu with two episodes streaming on Sunday March 26, 2023, and one episode each subsequent Sunday. 

The post Great Expectations Season Premiere Review: Disappointingly Dull appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Miss Havisham blindfolds Pip, telling him she was once blinded by love. Estella must stand perfectly still, and Pip will walk around the room until he finds her.

Among many lit candles, Sara pulls out a crop, preparing to whip a man who stands in the shadows.

Miss Havisham says she was stood up at the altar. Pip walks about, bumping into things and knocking them over. Havisham explains that somebody broke her heart.

She orders Estella to speak. Estella does so. Miss Havisham trips Pip, and he falls dangerously close to the lit fireplace. Pip expresses his dislike for the game. Havisham tells him he must play if he wants to be paid.

Sara whips Mr. Pumblechook while Joe works in his shop.

Pip continues to search. Miss Havisham tells him to watch his step, but Estella tells him there's nothing in his way. Miss Havisham asks if he trusts his love, but Pip insists Estella is not his love.

Miss Havisham silently orders Estella to move, and she does. Pip hears her walk away and removes his blindfold. Miss Havisham tells him that love cheats.

Pip assures Miss Havisham that he does not intend to fall in love. She asks him what his intention is. He tells her he hopes to learn from both of them how to become a gentleman so that he can make his fortune — shipping elephant ivory.

Estella finds him tedious, but Miss Havisham says he is ambitious. Pip says that love is easy to find once you've made a fortune.

Joe works in his shop. Mr. Pumblechook and Sara approach, and Pumblechook says he has been through their accounts and will sign them off and give them to the tax inspector.

Joe thanks him, and Pumblechook takes his leave. Joe tells Sara he has been forging chains and shackles for the prison ship Redemption.

Pip and Estella descend the staircase. She asks if he'll tell anyone what happened. He says he wants to become a gentleman, he'll have to become crueler. He sympathizes with her, saying her life must be horrible.

She says she will find a wealthy suitor, escape as soon as possible, and go to Cairo. He says he intends to go there one day, too. Estella asks if he is strong as well as smart.

Estella takes Pip out to meet Herbert. She tells Herbert that Pip is in love with her, and Herbert immediately punches him in the nose.

Estella explains that Herbert is in love with her, too, and this is a gentleman's duel. Pip insists he is not in love with her. He shoves Herbert into a barrel, breaking it, and asks Estella why she would have them fight.

She says she likes elephants and doesn't want him to take their tusks. Herbert gets up and comes at Pip, and Pup punches him, telling him to "fucking stop!"

Estella asks Pip to teach her that word. He apologizes, his nose bleeding, and goes to leave. Estella follows and wipes Pip's nose. Estella explains that Herbert is her cousin (though not by blood) and destined to be a gentleman.

She walks with Pip to the front gate, telling him what it means to be a gentleman. She asks what he will do when questioned about his birth and parentage, and he says he will lie.

She lets him out and closes the gate on him, locking it, and says he might have what it takes. He asks when he should return, and she is vague in her reply.

At Newgate prison in London, a policeman brings in a priest.

In the Old Bailey, Mr. Jaggers knocks on the door of a judge, saying he needs to get the papers to Newgate, or his clients will die. The judge is loading a pistol.

Guards at Newgate beat the prisoners.

Mr. Jaggers knocks relentlessly. The judge puts the pistol to his temple but cannot go through with it. The judge finally lets him in, and Mr. Jaggers puts the papers before him. He demands the judge's signature.

The judge explains he was about to shoot himself. Mr. Jaggers says that would be the easy way out, and he'd still release the blackmail incriminating the judge as a sodomite.

Jaggers orders the judge to sign the papers commuting the sentences.

Prisoners are lined up on the gallows, nooses fastened. The priest recites the last rites. The prisoners are about to be executed when Mr. Jaggers arrives, halting the proceedings, saving his client, but damning the rest.

Sara questions Pip about his day. He tells her he dined on cakes and wine, and four dogs fought for veal. He says Miss Havisham is tall and dark, and Estella is plain.

Joe asks when Pip is set to return there. Before Pip can reply, Mr. Pumblechook enters, informing them that Pip was well received by Miss Havisham and Estella. He gives the Gargerys ten shillings but takes three for himself.

Pumblechook also tells them that Miss Havisham and Estella would like him to return every Wednesday and continue his instruction to be a gentleman.

Pip says nothing, and Sara chides him. Pip tells her he has already told Joe he intends to leave them when he is of age and make something of himself.

Pip reads alone outside on the swing. Biddy shows up and pushes him on the swing, saying it used to be their thing to talk after school if they'd had an interesting day.

Pip tells her he doesn't intend to fall in love. Biddy says no one mentioned love. He asks for her help accessing the books in the school library. He says he will pay her to tutor him — two shillings a week.

Biddy says she doesn't want money, but her mind and library are his. She sits on the swing, and he twists her. Pip runs, and she playfully chases after him.

Pip shows up at Miss Havisham's again. Estella, dressed beautifully, lets him in. She offers him a sweet. When he accepts, she tells him a gentleman does not eat while wearing gloves.

She also tells him that a gentleman does not engage in conversation with an unaccompanied woman who is not his wife.

Inside, Estella calls for her mother. She grabs Pip by the arm and tells him a gentleman can only link arms with a lady when they are on uneven terrain.

They start the lesson. She informs him they are in Regent's Park — a lady is approaching and asks what he should do.

He tells them he would say hello, but Estella corrects him, saying a gentleman should never greet a lady in public unless she greets him first — it is considered vulgar to initiate action. Instead, he should assist a lady.

They order him to sit and tell him not to cross his legs. They order him to stand when a lady stands.

Pip returns each week. Estella and Miss Havisham continue to teach him how to be a gentleman for years. Pip and Estella grow into young adults.

Pip arrives, and Estella remarks it is his eighteenth birthday. He says a gentleman would not mention it. Estella says they have a surprise for him.

Estella and Miss Havisham take him upstairs, where a woman, Mrs. Gibbons, waits.

Pip recognizes her, and vice versa, from church. She wishes him a happy birthday and mentions that she's been with many men in their congregation.

Miss Havisham and Estella tell him that a man of class needs only to behave as a gentleman with members of his own class, not those below, and he can behave how he wishes with Mrs. Gibbons.

Mrs. Gibbons suggests that they leave him with her, as they are frightening him. They leave Pip and Mrs. Gibbons alone. She holds her hand out to him.

At church, Mrs. Gibbons smiles at Pip from across the nave, and he smiles back.

Pip helps Joe load the cart, and they drive through the town. Joe sees some convicts working and wonders about the man who stole his tools all those years ago. Pip reminds him of his name — Magwitch.

Pip and Joe deliver chains and shackles to the Redemption. A boatman inspects the goods, and remarks on their quality, asking if they could make enough for the long journey ahead, delivering slaves from Africa to America.

Pip says they could not countenance such an order. Joe says nothing. The boatman pays him, saying that if he wants to make money, he should consider what he might and might not countenance.

Mr. Jaggers receives a letter from Miss Havisham, saying, "The time has come." Mr. Jaggers murmurs that the boy is eighteen already. He dictates his reply — that he is ready to fulfill his obligation.

Estella joins a doped-out Miss Havisham and smokes some of her opium.

Pip arrives, and Estella greets him in French. He doesn't understand. Instead of unlocking the gate, she hands him a note.

Pip finds Biddy, now the schoolteacher, and asks her for books in French, as all gentlemen must speak French (and Estella and Miss Havisham only speak French on the last Wednesday of every month).

Biddy talks to him in French, and begins giving Pip French lessons.

Pip recites French conjugation for Estella.

Pip's French improves under Biddy, Estella, and Miss Havisham's tutelage.

Miss Havisham explains Pip's lesson: they are to pretend they are at a ball, and a lady who speaks only French is present. He must introduce himself and ask her to dance.

Though the hall is mostly empty, there is a string quartet playing. Miss Havisham calls for Estella, and she appears. Havisham orders Pip to ask Estella to dance. He says he can't dance.

Havisham says Estella will teach him. He approaches Estella, introduces himself, and asks her to dance (in French). They dance together as Estella instructs him. Interspersed are scenes of him practicing dancing with Biddy.

Miss Havisham orders them to stop and asks Pip to come with her. He obeys. She asks if he is in love with Estella yet, but he reaffirms that he does not intend to fall in love. She sees through him.

Havisham tells him to buy better clothes to impress her, but he says he gives his money to his family. She asks him for a kiss, and though he is taken aback, she quickly tells him just on the cheek. He obeys.

Havisham gives him a small bag of opium to sell for six pounds, which he can then use to buy a fine suit. Pip asks if she thinks Estella might love him.

Havisham says when he is dressed well, he can ask about love. She kisses him on the mouth, and orders him away, telling him to take care with his shoes and burn his boots.

Pip delivers more manacles and chains to the docks, saying they are only for prisoners. He offers to sell the men there his opium. The boatman inspects the bag. The boatman pockets it and pays Pip the full six pounds.

Pip arrives at Havisham's in a fine new suit. Estella sees him from her window. He rings the bell. S

he wipes away tears and emerges, meeting Pip at the gate. Estella tells him that Miss Havisham says his education is complete, and he is no longer welcome in the house.

She gives him one final lesson — as a gentleman, he must always be the one who holds the key to the gate. Estella turns from him and heads back inside.

Quietly, he says he loves her, but she does not hear. Miss Havisham watches from the window.

Pip trudges back through the marshes.

Estella smokes opium.

Mr. Jaggers heads out on horseback.

Miss Havisham smokes opium.

Pip drinks, thinking of dancing with Estella.

Mr. Jaggers enters the pub, calling for Pip Gargery.

The post Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 2 Recap: Episode 2 appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Seven years earlier. Gravesend, December 24.

A young boy, Pip, recites Shakespeare to himself while working with his blacksmith brother-in-law, Joe. Pip's sister, Sara, calls them in for supper. Pip lingers, collecting the day's money.

On the prison ship Retribution, a guard makes his rounds. Two prisoners argue, unhappy about having their cells next to each other. The guard tells them they'll be side by side until they reach Australia.

One of the prisoners fashions himself a fire. As the blaze grows, the prisoner calls for help. The guard releases him from the burning cell. The prisoner strangles the guard and kills him.

The other prisoner — Magwitch — calls for help, but the escaped prisoner leaves him locked up to burn. Magwitch frees himself, still in chains, breaks open the door to his cell, and leaps off the side of the boat.

Magwitch swims until he reaches the shore.

Young Pip heads home and sneaks in the upstairs window. Smoke from the burning boat can be seen in the distance.

Pip brings Sara holly to decorate the house for the holidays, but she is unhappy with his un-Christian contribution and burns it. Sara and Joe remark on Pip's verbosity.

Sara serves them sauce with supper, and Joe says that despite Sara's harsh words, she loves them. They laugh together and eat their supper.

The three of them hear a loud cannon go off from outside.

Magwitch continues to run. There is a search party with torches and dogs after him. Magwitch hides.

The cannon fire continues. Sara remarks that she won't let in any escaped convicts. Joe tells Pip about the horrors of Australia. Pip asks if any convicts would come up their way. Joe remarks that they'd probably be frozen already.

Pip says he will go to see his parents. Joe advises against it. Though Sara tells Pip that it's the end of the discussion, Pip insists — after all, it's Christmas.

As he heads to the door, Sara grabs a switch, intent on beating him if he disobeys. Joe tries to calm the tension. Pip heads upstairs. Joe tells Sara if she beats Pip again, he will run away.

Magwitch trudges through the marshes. His chains weigh heavy on him.

Pip lies in bed. Outside the bedroom door, Joe calls goodnight, and Pip responds. Pip quietly sneaks out of bed and out the window into the cold. The cannons continue to fire. Pip heads to the graveyard.

Magwitch hears dogs barking in the distance.

Pip visits the graves of his parents and little brothers and sisters.

Magwitch grabs Pip from behind, demanding to know who he's talking to, and Pip assures him it's just his dead family. Pip discerns that Magwitch is the cause of the cannon fire, and Magwitch says he is one of two.

Magwitch demands help and food as a Christian man. Pip gives Magwitch the bread in his pocket, which Magwitch eats, though he bites down on a nail. Pip explains that he works with a blacksmith.

Magwitch asks Pip to meet him by the twisted trees in the marsh at first light, to bring him food and strong drink, and tools to cut his chains. Magwitch threatens Pip, saying if he turns him in, he'll kill him, along with his sister and the blacksmith.

Pip runs away. He reaches home and climbs in his window.

Magwitch waits in the marshes, hearing dogs in the distance. Pip awakens at dawn. He packs food and drink, then hides as Sara descends the stairs. She lights a fire, breaks the switch, and tosses it in the fire.

Pip runs to the shop to fetch the tools, then heads to the marshes, where he meets Magwitch. Magwitch drinks and eats. Pip assures Magwitch he won't turn him in.

Magwitch orders Pip to cut his shackles. Pip takes the file and gets to work on them. Magwitch asks if Pip has seen anyone else with shackles.

When Pip asks if the other prisoner is a friend — Magwitch says he'd rather kill him. Pip asks why. Magwitch says some men have dark souls. He asks Pip's name. Pip tells him.

Dogs bark in the distance. Magwitch takes the file and orders Pip to run.

Pip comes across the other prisoner (the one who set the fire) in the marshes. The prisoner says he heard two voices in the marsh.

Pip plays the fool, but the prisoner sees through him. He moves to attack, but he is still shackled, and Pip runs all the way to the church.

The church bells ring, and Pip hears singing coming from the church. Pip picks some flowers and finds Joe and Sara inside. Sara angrily tells him she was worried, but Pip gives her the flowers to apologize.

Sara, Joe, and Pip receive guests for Christmas dinner, including Mr. Pumblechook.

Sara describes the pork pie she made special for the occasion. Pip realizes this is the pie he took to Magwitch. Sara asks Pip to get rosemary from the garden, which he does.

A girl named Biddy says hello to Pip. He asks what she's doing, and she tells him she's avoiding going home due to the Christmas guests.

Pip confides in Biddy that he has helped an escaped convict. Biddy doesn't believe him. He tells her that he'd immediately leave this house if he had money. Sara comes out and orders him in.

Mr. Wopsle, the church clark, says how he would do things differently if he were allowed to speak and says he would do a sermon about pigs — a warning against gluttony.

Sara orders Pip to eat. Pip says he will abstain as a pronouncement against gluttony. Sara laughs. Pip needs to get some air. Mr. Pumblechook explains that he is a go-between between uptown (the well-to-do) and downtown (poor people).

Pumblechook tells them of Miss Havisham, who is looking for a male friend for her adopted daughter.

Pumblechook explains that since they could not find a boy of equal social standing, they decided to go with the most intelligent — Pip.

Sara asks how much Havisham will pay. Joe says he needs Pip in the shop. Pumblechook assures Sara that Pip will fetch a good price, and asks about the pork pie.

Sara gets the pie dish and brings it to the table. She is about the lift the lid when three soldiers burst in, demanding all able-bodied men must do their duty to the king and help in the search for the two escaped prisoners.

Magwitch continues to file his shackles. The other prisoner hears the sound of the filing.

The soldiers order men to form a human chain and stand ten yards apart. Pip wants to tell Joe something, and Joe assures him he won't let Miss Havisham take him.

A soldier orders them apart, and then men march through the marshes.

In the mist, Magwitch attacks the other prisoner, and they fight in the mud.

As they walk, Pip tells Joe he doesn't want to be a blacksmith and take over the shop. Joe is speechless.

Magwitch and his enemy fight, getting muddier. Magwitch gets the better of him, but the soldiers come upon them. They separate the prisoners.

The soldiers ask how Magwitch got free of his shackles, and Magwitch tells them he broke into a blacksmith's and stole a file, a pork pie, brandy, and bread.

The soldiers take him away. Mr. Pumblechook starts to discuss the Havisham arrangement with Pip.

Magwitch and the other prisoner are chained back on a boat.

Joe works in his shop.

Pip reads and stares out at the prison boat.

Pip comes upon Biddy, collecting kindling. She says he will make the most of his opportunity and forget his origins. He assures her it's a financial arrangement, and he might be able to help Joe retire with the money.

Pip tells Biddy of his plans to gain employment in London — he wants to be a gentleman.

Pip sketches. Joe calls him. Pip puts down his book and gets in the carriage with Mr. Pumblechook. They head off.

Pumblechook tests Pip on his arithmetic. Pumblechook reminds Pip that he has been sold as a prodigy and mustn't disappoint everyone.

They arrive at Satis House. Pip asks Pumblechook about Miss Havisham. Pumblechook says he's never met her and she conducts all her business through a Mr. Jaggers.

A young, well-dressed girl, Estella, emerges from the house and meets them at the gate. She is unimpressed with Pip's appearance but opens the gate to let him in, leaving Mr. Pumblechook out in the cold.

Estella shows Pip into the large house and up the stairs.

Pip wonders if it's haunted, but Estella says ghosts would be afraid to come.

She knocks on one of the doors, telling her mother that Pip has arrived, then takes her leave of him.

Pip heads into the room, introducing himself as Mr. Pumblechook's boy. The older lady, Miss Havisham, is dressed lavishly in jewels and a veil over her face. She orders him closer, and he obeys. She lifts her veil.

Havisham tells him her heart is broken. She asks why he is here. He says he will be here as company for the girl. She corrects his grammar. She tells him to call Estella. He obeys. Estella appears.

Havisham asks Estella what she thinks of Pip. Estella says he is a smelly stable boy. Havisham asks what Pip thinks of Estella. He says she is proud.

Havisham prods him, getting him to agree that Estella is pretty. Havisham says she will watch them play.

The post Great Expectations Season 1 Episode 1 Recap: Episode 1 appeared first on TV Fanatic.