One would expect the BBC to be good at this kind of thing, and indeed, this is a good adaptation. "The moonstone" is right up the BBC's alley : a classic English-language novel of considerable age, filled to the brink with picturesque characters, meticulous plotting and sumptuous period detail. And then, who doesn't like tales about ancient gems, especially ancient gems with a romantic and dangerous background ?
I was particularly fond of Sarah Hadland, who played the toxic Miss Clack with obvious gusto. Her mix of pious nastiness and brainless meddling was just what the series needed. (Note the nicely satiric lines about Christian duty and modesty forcing her to do things she likes.)
About the only problem I can see with the story concerned the unrequited love felt by a lonely servant girl. This storyline was so sad and poignant that, by rights, it should have made the series move into an entirely different direction. One would suppose that at least some of the characters would say : "God, this tragedy has changed my whole perspective ! Never mind the moonstone, the emperor of China can eat it for breakfast, for all I care !" By the same token, one would suppose that at least some of the characters would bid their current lifestyle goodbye and turn into a monk, a pirate or a social reformer. But nah, life continues as before - these Victorians were a sturdy lot.
In short : a well-crafted and entertaining series, well worth a watch.
I was particularly fond of Sarah Hadland, who played the toxic Miss Clack with obvious gusto. Her mix of pious nastiness and brainless meddling was just what the series needed. (Note the nicely satiric lines about Christian duty and modesty forcing her to do things she likes.)
About the only problem I can see with the story concerned the unrequited love felt by a lonely servant girl. This storyline was so sad and poignant that, by rights, it should have made the series move into an entirely different direction. One would suppose that at least some of the characters would say : "God, this tragedy has changed my whole perspective ! Never mind the moonstone, the emperor of China can eat it for breakfast, for all I care !" By the same token, one would suppose that at least some of the characters would bid their current lifestyle goodbye and turn into a monk, a pirate or a social reformer. But nah, life continues as before - these Victorians were a sturdy lot.
In short : a well-crafted and entertaining series, well worth a watch.