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Re: Episode 4 Discussion (no book spoilers pls!)

[(Anonymous)]

Highlights:
-I liked the mirroring at the beginning between Childermass being laid out on the operation table vs. Lady Pole being restrained on the bed
-Childermass/Norrell interaction omg omg how can Norrell be pissed at Childermass for taking a bullet for him, I'm thinking he cares very much for him and lashing out at him now he's recovered is the only way he can work through the panic of nearly loosing him *ships it*
-Strange going through the mirror was obviously fantastic, I have to say though I found his and Bell's arguments throughout the episode kind of grating and tedious just because I can't stand it when female characters have to perform that role in the narrative of being like "stop doing awesome adventurous stuff!!" Kind of like that trope Emma Thompson talks about. I wish the plot gave Bell more stuff to do other than wait to inevitably get kidnapped by the gentleman...
-The 2 officers awkwardly present during the domestic dispute tho that killed me
-End conversation between Norrell and Strange was heartbreaking, it's incredible how badly Norrell can behave and yet you still feel his reasoning and his loneliness. and also weirdly heartbreaking this episode was Drawlight, that little flourish he did when he was explaining his debts was so so sad.

Re: Episode 4 Discussion (no book spoilers pls!)

[(Anonymous)]

what's the Emma Thompson said about it?

Re: Episode 4 Discussion (no book spoilers pls!)

[(Anonymous)]

*has

Re: Episode 4 Discussion (no book spoilers pls!)

[(Anonymous)]

I think the arguments between Arabella and Strange are supposed to draw attention to the fact that Strange is getting caught up in his own ego and isn't exercising any caution, he's just doing stuff because it's fun and without regard for how it worries Arabella. I think it's less that Arabella is there to stop him from having fun but more that it's a comment on the fact that the kind of fun he wants to have is an unattractive reckless side of his character.

imo we are supposed to feel ambivalent about how Strange's character is developing. Arabella is supposed to be the moral compass of the story. I can see where you're coming from that the way they've presented her flattens her character though and gives her the job of reining Strange in instead of giving her development herself. I wish there'd been more in the friendship between Arabella and Lady Pole but that might still be to come.