Thursday, July 10, 2008

North & South - finale!

Great moments from last night’s viewing

Once upon a time I would see those video montages of North and South, frequently at Katie(babs) and KristieJ’s place, and occasionally I’d play them, and it would be like, people walking around in an atmosphere of cotton fluff, or else looking out windows at each other, and I was like, hmmm. WhatEV.

No more! Now I will play those videos and relish the moments they call up. Without fear of spoilers! For I have come to the end of North & South! Twice, because once was just not enough.

Le moments:

The hands at the train station. I have to say, the way that John and Margaret sat together, and then put their hands together, pressed them over each other, that was even more satisfying than that kiss. It was so, just, perfect. Not that the kiss was chopped liver, but oh, those hands!!

It made me think of the way the hands are all the way through. Like, in the beginning, Margaret won’t shake John’s hand, then at the party, that fine handshake I mentioned in a previous gushing post. Then, during the proposal, he leaves his gloves and she picks them up. Empty gloves - deflation, absence, lack. No hands! And then the lovely train station scene, of hands joining!

Margaret has pleasantly plump hands which makes this scene all the more sweet and wonderful. I first saw this video at Sula's, and I just love it. Thanks!





Mrs. Thornton and Margaret in the empty factory. I love these two together in scenes. Now, I am not a good line rememberer, but Margaret says something like, you once accused me of not fully understanding the man I rejected, and you were right. And I felt at that moment the mother got it. Oh, the mother is perfectly written. She is the ultimate complex three dimensional character.

John Thornton’s voice. I love his voice, especially when it goes a little gravelly, which it tends to when he gets emotional, like at the end of the proposal scene, or when he bitterly tells Margaret that he’s looking toward the future after her rejection of him. I think my fellow crusaders know precisely what I am talking about. I also watched the Armitage interview - gosh, what a gracious fellow! - and his voice is just as enchanting in real life. I like him better with the cravat, though, than that little necklace.

n.b.: Look how he smiles as he is about to kiss her!

The extended proposal scene. Thanks, Sula, for pointing out the existence of this. Why did they cut this? This scene made so much more sense. I mean, I suppose they had to fit the series into a time slot, but now it is on DVD. They should stick in all the deleted scenes!

She goes back to the South. That was such a great way to highlight the journey of her character, how she suddenly saw the South as suffocatingly simple. And in a way, it brings the father to light as an intellectual. In the beginning, I felt the father seemed a bit stupid and selfish, but you really see what was going on with him by the end. He was rejecting that suffocation.

Okay, question. The one thing that seemed weird was that the old Oxford friend of the father’s owned the properties Marlborough Mills occupied. Wasn’t that a weird coincidence? Did they go to Milton because his old friend owned property there? It seemed actually, unnecessary, too, that she would inherit that property. It seems like it would’ve been enough to inherit money and invest it. Not that it detracted from my enjoyment of the series, of course!!

The expressiveness of Armitage. John Thornton is a character who contains many emotions at a time, or a fluid series of them. Almost in any scene, esp. with Margaret, he’s consumed with love, anger, worry. And actor Armitage has this ability to embody all that at once. Because really, the character of John Thornton is a highly emotional character. I love photos like this. Look at all the different emotions here!

53 comments:

Voxy said...

Yay! I have so much love for this mini-series and Armitage. It's so nice to see that love spreading.

What I loved most was juse those quiet moments in the video, where you just breath slowly, watch the characters reflect and facial expression convey more than words. So squee-worthy! :)

Carolyn Crane said...

Voxy: Well put! I think that's why these videos are so enchanting, because the facial expressions are so rich.

Anonymous said...

I know others have mentioned this - but I love that Thornton doesn't break a smile, except for at the party early when he sees Margaret, until the very end. The withholding of that smile makes the train/hand holding/squee moment so much more. And then he smiles, and sigh, you watch his countenance just transform.

Carolyn Crane said...

S: I didn't even notice that. Maybe others have mentioned it, but never to me. That is such a great observation.

Kristie (J) said...

Oooooh - there is so much to say. While I find Richard Armitage to die for gorgeous, if it was that alone, it wouldn't have gotten me started on the whole crusader thing. It's his ACTING in this series that blows me away - how he can portray so much emotion through his eyes - such as in the balcony scene, or a brief glimpse up as when Margaret is pouring tea. He is so restrained in his acting that the smallest smile contains so much. So that when he smiles at the very end when he says "You coming home with me?" is so glorious - you realize how truly happy he is.
And I love the character of Margaret too and Daniella's portrayal of her. I thing she really is confused and flummmoxed by her feelings for Thornton and doesn't know how to handle them.
And what did you think of Higgins? Didn't he turn out to be a great character? I loved the small moments - like when Thornton is looking out the window and he sees Higgins take hold of young Thomas's hand. And I loved the friendship that seemed to develop between Thornton and Higgins, like when they are talking to each other about setting up a kitchen co-op and Thornton says 'you did bring your brains with you to work' and Higgins responds 'well I couldn't do them altogether'. And it's Higgins who tells Thornton about the death of Margaret's father. At one time they were bitter enemies, but because they were both open to look past their differences.
But that's all just a small part of what makes this so special. I could go on and on and on - and have been known to do exactly that!

KT Grant said...

TRAIN SCENE IS SO HOT!!
Notice John without his cravat? Such a sexy neck her has.
And that kiss her and Margaret share! Best kiss ever in a movie. I seriously have watched that scene too many times to count.

Sarai said...

YEAH you finished you finished you finished!!!! Gawd I love this show and every time you post I have to go back and re-watch. I heart John thorton.

Hey if you like Richard you should try Robin Hood while your in charge of the Netflix. He's evil in it OMG

Kristie (J) said...

He's not EVIL - he's just Misunderstoond. And it doesn't help that Marion is just playing him - giving poor Guy mixed signals, all the while doing it up with Robin. We don't like Marion. Oh no we don't!

KT Grant said...

What Kristie said. Guy just needs a love of a good woman (not that Marian skank).
CHEST!!

Carolyn Crane said...

KJ: now I want to watch that tea scene over. You are right, it's the eyes. ANd I love that, "you coming home with me?" I love him happy.

And yes, Higgins is a great character. I should have focused on him a bit more in my posts oh, but there is so much to focus on is the thing! I love that they created the meals coop, and would eat together.

KB: yes, the absence of cravat there did NOT escape me!!

Sarai: I will definitely be trying Robin Hood. I think I could actually get husband to watch it.

KJ & KB: well, that makes me want to see Robin Hood even more. Nothing better than a misunderstood villain. Esp if it's RA!!!

KT Grant said...

RA is even more broody in Robin Hood. Plus he wears leather and ever so often strips so we can see his lovely waxed chest. And he has scruff!

Carolyn Crane said...

Pant pant klunk.

**falls off chair**

Carolyn Crane said...

Hey, question: does RA have a lot of screen time in it?

KT Grant said...

OMG YES!!! RA is on the screen, sometimes even more than Robin! And even when he doesn't talk, but just stands there... I get all tingly just thinking about it. *G*
Definite Netflix rental!

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, I am there. Would a guy like it? Or is it clearly romantic? I think I may have seen photos of RA in this...with a dirty sweaty face. Is that possible? It was a fine look.

KT Grant said...

I believe men would enjoy it. Lots of fighting and medieval things going on.
As for the ladies, we can enjoy the sexy Richard.

Carolyn Crane said...

But no HEA for RA, I expect.

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, BTW, KB, can I just say I am so jealous of your little cocktail party this month. I am going to be in NY in November and we totally have to hook up!

KT Grant said...

Erp. That would be giving away some major spoilage. ;)

KT Grant said...

NYC?!?! WOO HOO!!!
We can have margaritas then :D

Carolyn Crane said...

Okay, I'm taking that as a CHANCE he'll be happy. But in the story, I don't think he gets the girl. Okay, I need you to tell me! PLEEEASE????

Yes, we are on for Nov!!

KT Grant said...

Well, if you know the story of Robin Hood...
and Marian is such a ditwith. Guys deserves another lady, one with read hair me thinks ;)

Carolyn Crane said...

I sort of don't know the story. Aren't there different versions?

KT Grant said...

Robin and Maid Marian are childhood sweethearts. After Robin comes back from the crusades, he becomes a outlaw. Marian and he still love each other.
The BBC series takes a lot of liberties such as Guy wearing leather in medieval England!

Holly said...

Not reading all the comments (sorry, I'm pressed for time today) but I just wanted to say:

1st - I love that you've outlined your favorite parts in this way. Especially the hand scene. That really struck me.

2nd - At the end..I loved the look on his face when she turned away from him after their kiss. I just LOVE how he had this amazingly beatific(sp?) smile on his face until she turned away (and he obviously thought she wasn't coming back). My heart actually hurt for him at that moment. Awww. ;)

Kristie (J) said...

And eyeliner! Can't forget the eyeliner. Not done in medieval England I think, by men anyway. And we have had a number of discussions on the various aspects of this version of RH. We know for example he shaves his chest because he has quite the scruff going. No guy with that kind of fine scruff would not have chest hair. Plus in the Infamous Chest scene - available on YouTube, he has no line under his bellybutton. I'm sure you know what kind of line I'm talking about and where the line leads *BIG WINK, BIG WINK*.
And another RA acting job you should check out is The Vicar of Dibley - Christmas edition. He's funny and just adorable in that as the love interest of Geraldine - the Vicar.
But for me - it's his portrayal of John Thornton that get's me. That's why Katie and I split him in half - I get John - minus his neck - and she gets Guy.
And if you're anything like many of us, each time you watch it - if you plan on watching it again *g* something new jumps out at you.

sula said...

oh hoooooray!!! you finished it! I love your observations. Spot on. The tender bit with the hands...just KILLS me. When he covers her hand with his.... *dies*

And the sparing use of the smile. He has such a fantastic smile. One of the little guilty pleasures of RA in the Vicar of Dibley is seeing him laugh and smile. Quite a change from Thornton or Guy of Gisborne.

I'm glad you were able to watch the extended proposal scene. For the life of me I don't know why it was cut. It makes way more emotional sense and helps you understand Margaret's motivations better. Oh well. Love the interview with Richard. He seems so shy and unassuming.

I got my BF to sit through the entire N&S series in one sitting. And he liked it. *g* I think Vicar of Dibley may be on our TBW list soon.

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: that is not an answer. HEA for RA or no?

Holly: Yes, that was SUCH the moment. Definitely beatific.

KJ: I so need to look into this Robin Hood. And this infamous YouTube video. Wait, you get John minus his neck and she gets Guy? Who gets John's neck? Can I have it?

Sula: I'm putting the Vicar on my Netflix this instant. You know, it really was pleasurable to watch this, and it is also intensely pleasurable to reminisce about it, because it is so rich.

KT Grant said...

Maybe KJ will answer that for you.
:P

Kristie (J) said...

Well, Katie has claimed his neck. I suppose I should claim some small part of Guy but as I haven't seen Season II - where he as a more interesting role - I'm not sure what part to take. I could take chest - but I'd expect Katie and I would be rolling around in the mud over that.

KT Grant said...

I like Richard's chin also.

Carolyn Crane said...

Hold on a sec, so RH is a continuing series? Am I getting that right? And what about his nose. Can I have that? Or one hand? ONE! That's all I ask!

KT Grant said...

Right now RH is in the middle of its second season in America. It will be coming back for a 3rd season. It is aired in England on the BBC and now on BBC America.
RH is also filmed in Germany.
Yes, I know way too much about this series.

Carolyn Crane said...

Hold the presses, so RA is in a SERIES? So, there is hope for a HEA for him!!!!

KT Grant said...

Um, not at the end of this season. Guy becomes more evil in ways you will not see coming!
I could always email you the You Tube video of the proof.

Carolyn Crane said...

No, I am definitely going to watch it!!!! OOh, but, oh, let me think about it!!

Kristie (J) said...

Well, I've kind of claimed his nose and his hands and his eyes and his voice. I could share with you those. And Kate, Kate, Kate - you have Guy and John's neck. Don't you think you might be getting a bit greedy here? What will you trade of Guy's?

Kristie (J) said...

OK - I just put up a great video of RA in Robin Hood - just for you *g*. You must simply go see his loveliness

Carolyn Crane said...

I am dying over that video. I will never be able to repay you, KJ!!!!!

Kristie (J) said...

ROTFL - now can you the point of the Crusade?
It's all simply too yummy to keep to ourselves!!!!
You can go back to the beginning (under November 2007) where it all began. We were lusting (heavily) way back then. It was a joint effort between Sula, Katie and me.

Carolyn Crane said...

Now I have to go back and check. OMG. So funny.

Anonymous said...

Yay, you did it! Good catch with the empty gloves, never thought of it like that. And now I'll have to go and watch it again. :)

(And: when will I be able to see him in "Robin Hood" without having to pay 50Euro?)

Sarai said...

Late on the bandwagon as usual but hubby would like it I have A LOT of guy friends who think it rocks!!! No RA is not evil but he does do some wicked crap that makes me flinch after seeing him as Thorton.

I hate Marian she is SO NASTY and has a horse face and isn't good enough for either of them. There I said I would be so BETTER for both Oh TMI?

Sarai said...

Okay for the record Katie ruined the season for me *pretends pout* actually I didn't realize we were in season 3 b/c Netflix has only 1 and I watched part of 2 via BBC Or what I thought was 2 might have been 3 at this point who the hell knows. SO I went back and rented 1 and now I am not patient mind you waiting for 2 to come out so I can catch up.
Still Hate the girl though
As far as A HEA I don't know if that will happen if they stick with the RH story line but then again what Katie showed me WAS not in the original story line at all so *shrug* I just don't know
DOES anyone know when Season 2 comes out on DVD????

Carolyn Crane said...

I don't know when it comes out, but she does have a horseface!

Sarai said...

I know right? I mean they couldn't find anyone better looking? Or maybe I'm bias b/c she treats both menz like crap. IDK

KT Grant said...

RH season 2 comes out August 5.
Sarai: are you talkaing about the scene where Guy passes point the no return in season 2?

Sarai said...

Yes Katie I'm talking about that scene OMG I wonder if it was a dream? I think it might be with a season 3 right?

KT Grant said...

Not a dream at all. I know information!
Why Sarai, we are taunting CJ. :P

The Bookworm said...

sounds like youre really enjoying N&S...I hope to watch it soon. Great blog posts!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com

Kristie (J) said...

Naida: Oh I DO hope you watch it~!!! T'is most wonderful and if you do see it, blog about it, you become A Crusader - heh heh!

Sarai said...

B/c It's fun and it will get her to watch... Not a dream huh? Well Crap, crap, crapper I wonder what will happen now...

Anonymous said...

You're spot on with your observations. Yeah, le Armitage does make one dream.