Previous posts: Introduction , Parts 1-2 , Parts 3-4 and Parts 5-6.
This post is later than usual since half of us had the flu this weekend, myself included. Thankfully I am better today, which is good because I am woefully behind on housework. Since today is laundry day I had tons of washing and folding to do and I was able to catch up on the laundry and my Dickens. What an ending to a fabulous mini-series! It was painful to watch the heartache of some scenes but splendid to relish in the joy of others.
A Four Hankie Episode – There were four times when tears were actually falling from my eyes. First was when Sergeant George was crying in the arms of his reunited mom. (Love that George! And his best bud Phil!) Second was when Esther was crying as she held her dead mother. (Give the poor girl a break, dear Lord.) Third was when Richard was apologizing to Ada just before his last breath left him. Fourth was when Mr. Jarndyce released Esther from her engagement so she could marry her true love. Although, those tears became happy tears as we saw Esther and Mr. Woodcourt finally share that kiss we knew they had been dying to have. (Swoon!)
Mystery Solved – I’ll admit Mr. Bucket grew on me over the last episodes. From his cheekiness to his tenacity to his occasional disguised tenderness. In the end he did get his man, or woman, in this case.
A Fave Scene – I love when Esther tells off Mr. Skimpole, like a lady, and he leaves town (at least temporarily.)
Hard Lesson to Learn – I find it timeless that Ada married Richard with the hope that once they were married his obsession with the Jarndyce and Jarndyce would come to an end, or at least be tempered, but instead it got worse. How many girls still do the same today? Marry a man with serious issues hoping that they’ll change once they are married. More often than not, it does not change and often it gets worse. Not that I blame Ada for marrying Richard in her situation. It’s just sad that he came to his senses too late. On the other hand, at least he was able to make peace before he died.

An Act of Honor or Selfishness? – I am torn in my feelings for Lady Dedlock. I suppose she thought she was doing the honorable thing by leaving Sir Leicester and sparing him the pain of seeing her but I can’t help thinking that she was chickening out. She should have humbled herself and pleaded with Sir Leicester to forgive her or at least faced her punishment and given him the opportunity to have it out with her. Had she stayed and faced the music, so to speak, she’d still be alive and she wouldn’t have caused him a stroke, literally. But that may simply be hindsight talking.
The “You’ve Got A Lot of Nerve” Award – Goes to Mr. Guppy, the Ladies Man, who proposed to Esther again after nearing becoming physically sick at the mere sight of her not too long ago. Yeah. Buh-Bye.
“Best Line of the Night” Award – Goes to Sir Leicester, “Poor Tulkinghorn. What an end. To be shot in the heart by a domestic servant.” A domestic servant? The horror.
Well, that was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoyed the mini-series too. I’m looking forward to next week when Masterpiece begins again. (My DVR is going to be working overtime that night – Great Expectations, Once Upon a Time, Amazing Race and the return of The Killing.) I’ll have a week’s worth of after hours TV recorded in one night. LOL. Have a great day!

Previous posts: Introduction , Parts 1-2 and Parts 3-4.
Time for A Good Cry – Maybe I was feeling a bit PMS…maybe I was missing my own mom… but the scene between Lady Dedlock and Esther had me nearly sobbing. (This can easily be done when all the house is asleep, lights are off and I allow myself to emotionally enter into the story.) When Esther begs to be a part of her mother’s life and concludes that she is the curse of the family and should never have been born it is almost too much to bear.
Weird Love Triangle – I don’t know what to feel about Mr. John Jardyce. Part of me sympathizes with his love for Esther and feels that it is genuine. However, I can’t get over the “ew” factor since he has always been portrayed in a fatherly light, not as an older but distinguished suitor. You can feel the awkwardness as he and Esther try to be romantic. (Even the notion of it makes me queasy.) Perhaps time would slowly have changed her (and my) mind but when Mr. Woodcourt comes back on the scene you know her heart still pines for him. When you see his looks and those puppy dog eyes, you know he couldn’t possibly be as cruel as his mother and he does not care if she was or was not of noble birth. Rather, he sees himself as the unsuitable suitor since he does not have enough money to make her a declaration of love.
Speaking of Cruel – Mr. Guppy was sort of growing on me with his unintentionally comedic ways and his Muppet-like mouth but the scene where he nearly loses his lunch at the sight of Esther’s scars makes me loath his behavior more than Mr. Skimpole. My only consolation is that he will be entrapped in the presence in the company of his bizarre interesting mother.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – One good thing about Mr. Guppy’s behavior is that it was a turning point for Esther in dealing with her illness and scars. She was finally able to take off her veil and face the world without hiding. However, it has not hardened her tender heart as we see when she comforts and prayers for Joe on his deathbed.
Love is Blind – I haven’t spoken of Ada yet. I feel for her and her plight in watching the slow ruin of her beloved Richard. Who has not watched a loved one make wrong choices, bad decisions or influenced by bad company and has also been helpless to stop it. Unfortunately, the giving of Ada’s inheritance to Richard seems like it will not help him but push him further into his obsession.
Three Strikes, You’re Out – I was a bit surprised that Mr. Tulkinghorn (likened to “the Old Enemy himself” by Sergeant George – I love that guy) was actually shot. He seemed like the cockroach type – the ones you can’t get rid of. I guess it was only a matter of time until one of his victims struck back.
I am looking forward to the final episodes!

Previous posts: Introduction and Parts 1-2.
This week I watched Parts 3 and 4 of Bleak House but my comments will be short(er) since I am putting the baby to sleep and typing with one hand.
Development – The biggest development is the deepening mystery surrounding Nemo, Lady Dedlock, Esther and how they are all related. Mr. Guppy may be a creepy little character talking about his angel but the boy knows how to dig around and uncover hidden facts about the case.
Most Fickle – Richard continues to worry Mr. Jarndyce, as well as Esther and Ada, with his lack of commitment to his profession. First it was the medical profession, then the law, and then the army and now he wants to quit altogether in order to pursue his court case. You know things are going bad when he argues to his lawyer that he knows better since he has “studied the law” – for a whole month or two.
Most Annoying Character(s) – Mr. Tulkinghorn continues to spin his webs and catch his prey. Mr. Skimpole is even more irritating this week as he explains that although Esther would most likely die, even if she did live, she’d be so scarred that people will be sickened to look at her face. Yeah, that boy is a real charmer. Explain again why he is there, Mr. Jarndyce?? A close third would have to be Mrs. Woodcourt. How can a man so good and noble have such a pest for a mother?
Best catch-phrase – When Brian and I are tired and we can’t seem to hop to our feet fast enough, we’ll exclaim, “Shake me up, Judy!” Every time I see the actor that plays Mr. Smallweed in another movie, I can’t help but think of him as this character.
Best Snicker – Spontaneous combustion? Is that even possible? (Do I admit that I actually googled it to see if it was?) At least it made an interesting plotline.
Best Bring Your Own Hankie Scene – First, can I say that I looove little Charley! (And where can I find little Charley to be my lady’s maid/mother’s helper?) It is touching to see the love Charley has for Esther and it broke my heart to see her in tears as she handed Esther the mirror. But the clincher was when Ada did not care about the scars on Esther’s face and was only relieved to that she was alive and well. As they held each other and cried, I cried too.
And with that I must bid you a good morning. The little ones are calling and my sleeping babe has jumped off my lap and is running down the hallway looking for mischief. Have a great morn!