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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell recap: episode two – How Is Lady Pole? Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell recap: episode two – How Is Lady Pole?
(17 days later)
“Gentlemen, this magic is extremely dangerous. Consider the condition of Mr Pitt’s body, and indeed Lord Nelson’s …” – Norrell“Gentlemen, this magic is extremely dangerous. Consider the condition of Mr Pitt’s body, and indeed Lord Nelson’s …” – Norrell
Oh, I see. Bring a woman back to life – albeit with fewer fingers than she had before – then conjure up a fleet of ships made out of rain to fool the French, and all of a sudden, you’re flavour of the month. Pick of the week. Soup of the day. After being firmly dismissed by Samuel West’s Lord Pole last week, Norrell – and his magic bowl – are now guests of honour in parliament and at Pole’s evening soirees, where I noticed that no one was in the least bit freaked out that Lady Pole once again walked among them, despite being “quite dead” just days before. She also now seems unable to suppress sudden urges to cut a rug. Norrell’s ensconcement in government and high society is complete, with Drawlight and Lascelles in their smarmy element, as evidenced by the former’s catty after-dinner gags at the expense of other, lesser conjurers.Oh, I see. Bring a woman back to life – albeit with fewer fingers than she had before – then conjure up a fleet of ships made out of rain to fool the French, and all of a sudden, you’re flavour of the month. Pick of the week. Soup of the day. After being firmly dismissed by Samuel West’s Lord Pole last week, Norrell – and his magic bowl – are now guests of honour in parliament and at Pole’s evening soirees, where I noticed that no one was in the least bit freaked out that Lady Pole once again walked among them, despite being “quite dead” just days before. She also now seems unable to suppress sudden urges to cut a rug. Norrell’s ensconcement in government and high society is complete, with Drawlight and Lascelles in their smarmy element, as evidenced by the former’s catty after-dinner gags at the expense of other, lesser conjurers.
Drawlight: “He was no more a magician than I’m the Duchess of Devonshire …”Drawlight: “He was no more a magician than I’m the Duchess of Devonshire …”
Drawlight: “The only thing he was able to make disappear was claret …”Drawlight: “The only thing he was able to make disappear was claret …”
You see? In his element, and persisting with this “Norrrrelle” foolishness too. The wily Lascelles, meanwhile, appears to be in this for the long game, having already installed himself as the editor of the periodical The Friends of English Magic. He has an angle, that chap, of that there should be no doubt.You see? In his element, and persisting with this “Norrrrelle” foolishness too. The wily Lascelles, meanwhile, appears to be in this for the long game, having already installed himself as the editor of the periodical The Friends of English Magic. He has an angle, that chap, of that there should be no doubt.
“There was once a Christian named Julius Caesar … who landed in England and was met by three gentleman, all named John Hollyshoes …” – Lady Pole“There was once a Christian named Julius Caesar … who landed in England and was met by three gentleman, all named John Hollyshoes …” – Lady Pole
It appears that one of the elements of the enchantment of Lady Pole (the excellent Alice Englert), who gradually becomes more disturbed as the episode goes on, is that she cannot speak of it. Instead, she utters streams of almost poetic nonsense, like those weird spam emails. She tries first to speak to Norrell and Lord Pole, then later to Arabella, whom she implores to return.It appears that one of the elements of the enchantment of Lady Pole (the excellent Alice Englert), who gradually becomes more disturbed as the episode goes on, is that she cannot speak of it. Instead, she utters streams of almost poetic nonsense, like those weird spam emails. She tries first to speak to Norrell and Lord Pole, then later to Arabella, whom she implores to return.
Lady Pole: “I see no one … or rather, I see roomfuls of people and not a Christian among them.”Lady Pole: “I see no one … or rather, I see roomfuls of people and not a Christian among them.”
Judging by the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s gob-open drooling at Arabella later in the episode, it looks as if Lady Pole may soon have to share the Gentleman’s fickle affections.Judging by the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s gob-open drooling at Arabella later in the episode, it looks as if Lady Pole may soon have to share the Gentleman’s fickle affections.
“The dream, sir, was mine. I lay down here on purpose to dream it …” – Strange“The dream, sir, was mine. I lay down here on purpose to dream it …” – Strange
This week we truly got to know Bertie Carvel’s Strange, Segundus and Honeyfoot happening upon him at Starecross Hall. Purpose now seems to suit him, invigorated as he is with his pursuit of magic. His disdain upon meeting Drawlight and Lascelles in Hanover Square was delightful, as was the reaction by Norrell at his display of magic. So rarely does Marsan’s Norrell smile, that when he does, with the broad beam of a rosy-cheeked scamp being given a shiny sixpence, it is a true joy to behold. He found a kindred spirit in Strange, and there is a great electricity between Marsan and Carvel already. Said friendship is certainly detected by Lascelles and Drawlight, who are immediately put on the back foot.This week we truly got to know Bertie Carvel’s Strange, Segundus and Honeyfoot happening upon him at Starecross Hall. Purpose now seems to suit him, invigorated as he is with his pursuit of magic. His disdain upon meeting Drawlight and Lascelles in Hanover Square was delightful, as was the reaction by Norrell at his display of magic. So rarely does Marsan’s Norrell smile, that when he does, with the broad beam of a rosy-cheeked scamp being given a shiny sixpence, it is a true joy to behold. He found a kindred spirit in Strange, and there is a great electricity between Marsan and Carvel already. Said friendship is certainly detected by Lascelles and Drawlight, who are immediately put on the back foot.
Drawlight: “What’s that? A most peculiar sound …”Drawlight: “What’s that? A most peculiar sound …”
Lascelles: “I think Mr Norrell is laughing. We shall have to do something about this ‘friendship’.”Lascelles: “I think Mr Norrell is laughing. We shall have to do something about this ‘friendship’.”
“The nameless slave shall be a king in a strange land …” – The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair“The nameless slave shall be a king in a strange land …” – The Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair
Like the other servants – and Lady Pole herself – Stephen Black can hear the bells calling at the Pole residence in Harley Street. He meets the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair and provides barber services so accomplished that the Gentleman deems him to be the “nameless slave” from the prophesy of the Raven King, a man set to become a “king in a strange land”. He invites him over to Lost Hope for dinner and dancing. But without the dinner. “We have been dancing there for days, and days, and days,” he explains, as if describing something akin to Castlemorton but without all the sound systems, complaints to the local constabulary and dogs on strings. If there are dogs there, they are certainly not on strings, but allowed to roam free and join in the dancing.Like the other servants – and Lady Pole herself – Stephen Black can hear the bells calling at the Pole residence in Harley Street. He meets the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair and provides barber services so accomplished that the Gentleman deems him to be the “nameless slave” from the prophesy of the Raven King, a man set to become a “king in a strange land”. He invites him over to Lost Hope for dinner and dancing. But without the dinner. “We have been dancing there for days, and days, and days,” he explains, as if describing something akin to Castlemorton but without all the sound systems, complaints to the local constabulary and dogs on strings. If there are dogs there, they are certainly not on strings, but allowed to roam free and join in the dancing.
“They’re called horses … I made them out of horse sand. Hot rolls and marmalade, anyone?”“They’re called horses … I made them out of horse sand. Hot rolls and marmalade, anyone?”
This was the moment Norrell realised that Strange, hunched and growling in the sand at Portsmouth, is not a pupil but a rival, able to perform magic without the dogged use of books and reference. He is Miles Davis to Norrell’s Kenny G, the Hendrix to his Rick Parfitt. Though books do help, of course. Norrell’s devastation at losing 40 of the blighters to Strange was palpable, as he agreed to dispatch him to the peninsular to be that magician on the ground the British forces need, thus rendering him unable to bid for the Duke of Roxburghe’s collection of magical books – though that doesn’t stop Arabella forcing Norrell to get out his cheque book. This was the moment Norrell realised that Strange, hunched and growling in the sand at Portsmouth, is not a pupil but a rival, able to perform magic without the dogged use of books and reference. He is Miles Davis to Norrell’s Kenny G, the Hendrix to his Rick Parfitt. Though books do help, of course. Norrell’s devastation at losing 40 of the blighters to Strange was palpable, as he agreed to dispatch him to the Peninsula to be that magician on the ground the British forces need, thus rendering him unable to bid for the Duke of Roxburghe’s collection of magical books – though that doesn’t stop Arabella forcing Norrell to get out his cheque book.
There was some criticism of the pace of episode one. I felt that to an extent on my first watch, but after seeing it a couple of times, I learned to relish certain scenes all the more – the library at the soiree, in particular (“That man is reading a book!”). Episode two hit its stride, I felt, with big guns brought out in CGI style (them there horses). Marsan and Carvel’s tentative circling of one another was particularly pleasing. I even started to like the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s thistledown hair. It’s growing on me. (Figuratively, thank God.)There was some criticism of the pace of episode one. I felt that to an extent on my first watch, but after seeing it a couple of times, I learned to relish certain scenes all the more – the library at the soiree, in particular (“That man is reading a book!”). Episode two hit its stride, I felt, with big guns brought out in CGI style (them there horses). Marsan and Carvel’s tentative circling of one another was particularly pleasing. I even started to like the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s thistledown hair. It’s growing on me. (Figuratively, thank God.)
Other matters of noteOther matters of note
The formidable Arabella has a brilliant line in needling Strange, from weary to barbed and spiky, as and when necessity calls.The formidable Arabella has a brilliant line in needling Strange, from weary to barbed and spiky, as and when necessity calls.
Arabella: “Calm down, you’ll give yourself a nosebleed …”Arabella: “Calm down, you’ll give yourself a nosebleed …”
Strange: “I no longer have nosebleeds, I’ve not had a nosebleed since I was 17!”Strange: “I no longer have nosebleeds, I’ve not had a nosebleed since I was 17!”
Arabella: “Do take an egg before he eats them all …”Arabella: “Do take an egg before he eats them all …”
Strange: “Arabella does not care for seed cake. It is a thing that she particularly dislikes.”Strange: “Arabella does not care for seed cake. It is a thing that she particularly dislikes.”
Arabella: “Arabella is not a three-year-old, Jonathan.”Arabella: “Arabella is not a three-year-old, Jonathan.”
Amid my snarky remarks about the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s woodland garms last week, I was pulled up in the comments for comparing the outfit to “a sixth form production of Twelfth Night” when I probably meant A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I did, and it serves me quite right.Amid my snarky remarks about the Gentleman with the Thistledown Hair’s woodland garms last week, I was pulled up in the comments for comparing the outfit to “a sixth form production of Twelfth Night” when I probably meant A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I did, and it serves me quite right.
Hat of the week this week* goes to … Mr Gilbert Norrell of Hanover Square, London, for his almost impertinent smoking cap. Apart from the fez, you just don’t see enough tasselled hats, and this one was a real treat. Runner-up was Mr Honeyfoot of York for a serviceable tricorn. (*There may not be another “hat of the week”, it might very well just be this week, unless a particularly wonderful hat comes along in future episodes.)Hat of the week this week* goes to … Mr Gilbert Norrell of Hanover Square, London, for his almost impertinent smoking cap. Apart from the fez, you just don’t see enough tasselled hats, and this one was a real treat. Runner-up was Mr Honeyfoot of York for a serviceable tricorn. (*There may not be another “hat of the week”, it might very well just be this week, unless a particularly wonderful hat comes along in future episodes.)