How is Lady Pole?
Short answer: not great.
Fortunately, the show shes in continues to be brilliant…
This review contains spoilers.
And in its second instalment,Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrelldoes a great many things right.
Read me now every time I come near the bookshelf.
Im holding out until after the finale, but resisting is not going to be easy.)
Chief of its achievements is the sheerirrefutabilityof its world.
Not a sausage about its faerie realm, fleet of rain ships or enchanted-horse troop feels implausible.
Screen audiences are spoiled for technical artistry these days.
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No, the trick withJonathan Strange & Mr Norrellis that everything works in concert.
VFX, setting, performances, writing, direction, music, the whole shebang.
How Is Lady Pole?
The scripts lightness of touch when it comes to these themes is particularly pleasing.
Were trusted to implicitly understand that Emmas 1000 a year makes her marital chattel to Sir Walter.
Because in matters of politics,Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrellis no fantasy.
Magic may have been restored to its England, but its historical power structures remain intact.
Mr Norrell too, continues to be a complex creation.
And though he probably could, Marsan is by no means carrying the cast.
Theres not a weak link so far.
or petulantly munching hard-boiled eggs and poking statues on the nipple.
On top of all that, its funny.
Mythic and imaginative and striking.
And so, so, English.
How can there only be five episodes left?
How dare it ever end?
