All the previous nine episodes of the timeless classic that is 'Brideshead Revisited' are brilliant. Exquisite production values. Deliberate but always involving storytelling, with the character relationships faithfully and beautifully written and characterised (like with Charles and Sebastian, Charles and Lord Marchmain and Charles and Celia). Perfectly fitting music with that classic main theme. Eloquent writing. Perfect casting, Diana Quick being a little too old at first being the sole minor reservation.
There couldn't have been a better penultimate episode for anything than "A Twitch Upon the Thread" (that title being part of that very memorable and symbolic line in Cordelia's Father Brown story). It gets one prepared for the powerful emotion that the final episode "Brideshead Revisited" is filled with, with a lot of emotion of its own. All the previous episodes' strengths are here in "A Twitch Upon the Thread" and with none of the impact lost.
Julia's reaction to Bridey's living in sin comments and how it resonates with her with it applying to her is very striking, it was a masterful piece of character writing in the book and a real turning point for Julia and it translates powerfully here. As does Cordelia's role, her detailing of her experiences is truly harrowing and makes one truly sad about how bad things have become since the early parts. When it comes to Bridey, "A Twitch Upon the Thread" is his meatiest episode, being the episode where his dialogue in particular really strikes a chord as much with the viewer (not expecting what he says) as it does with Julia.
Phoebe Nicholls has lost none of her charm but is also very poignant and disarming too. Diana Quick's portrayal of pain and remorse comes over as very genuine and affecting. Simon Jones is firm yet understated, while his coldness and lack of remorse when offending Julia is quite chilling. Jeremy Irons is on the money as usual though his material this time is not quite as strong as the others, his chemistry with Quick is beautifully sympathetic.
Cordelia's writing/dialogue is especially well adapted and resonates the most when it comes to the dialogue for the characters. The retrospective moments are of eloquent poetry and Bridey's comments do sting. The directing is accomodating and assured. The production values are still exquisite and the music always fits without being over the top or bland.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
There couldn't have been a better penultimate episode for anything than "A Twitch Upon the Thread" (that title being part of that very memorable and symbolic line in Cordelia's Father Brown story). It gets one prepared for the powerful emotion that the final episode "Brideshead Revisited" is filled with, with a lot of emotion of its own. All the previous episodes' strengths are here in "A Twitch Upon the Thread" and with none of the impact lost.
Julia's reaction to Bridey's living in sin comments and how it resonates with her with it applying to her is very striking, it was a masterful piece of character writing in the book and a real turning point for Julia and it translates powerfully here. As does Cordelia's role, her detailing of her experiences is truly harrowing and makes one truly sad about how bad things have become since the early parts. When it comes to Bridey, "A Twitch Upon the Thread" is his meatiest episode, being the episode where his dialogue in particular really strikes a chord as much with the viewer (not expecting what he says) as it does with Julia.
Phoebe Nicholls has lost none of her charm but is also very poignant and disarming too. Diana Quick's portrayal of pain and remorse comes over as very genuine and affecting. Simon Jones is firm yet understated, while his coldness and lack of remorse when offending Julia is quite chilling. Jeremy Irons is on the money as usual though his material this time is not quite as strong as the others, his chemistry with Quick is beautifully sympathetic.
Cordelia's writing/dialogue is especially well adapted and resonates the most when it comes to the dialogue for the characters. The retrospective moments are of eloquent poetry and Bridey's comments do sting. The directing is accomodating and assured. The production values are still exquisite and the music always fits without being over the top or bland.
Overall, brilliant. 10/10
