I really liked seeing "Sparkhouse" for many reasons. But there were some weaknesses that annoyed me. Overall, I enjoyed much more about the series than I disliked.
The story was interesting and pretty hard hitting in some "not so run-of-the-mill" ways. It began as a story about a privileged "Romeo" and his rough-edged "Juliet." For me, it quickly became a triangular affair once the character of John was fleshed out. And that's when I really became interested. Andrew and Carol were two mismatched people who kept clinging to each other for non-discernible reasons.
The main reason that I sought it out was because I wanted to see Richard Armitage (John Thornton in the BBC's "North and South" 2004 mini-series) in the role of John Standring. I had seen screen caps and little mini music clips which whetted my appetite.
JS is really a "Cinderfella" in some ways. He undergoes an amazing transformation from shy, scruffy-looking, coverall-clad farm hand to tall, dark, handsome, blue-eyed "strong shoulder to lean on" hunk.
But more important, Carol needs his help and he steps right up to the plate to give it to her to save her family farm, Sparkhouse. He had always been around, somewhat like the family dog pining away for her, while she was off in the moors with that lame excuse for a boyfriend, Andrew.
And when she gets JS properly clothed, followed by a haircut in a salon, I couldn't believe my eyes at his profile. Watching RA show the amazing swan transformation with his excellent acting, line delivery, and body movements was a real joy. He is a master of the perfect look, pulling back in volume to deliver the key word(s) quietly for emphasis rather than shouting them, and moves his body very well for a big guy! And he has gorgeous, piercing blue eyes and a shy, sweet smile. He is a very nuanced performer and I couldn't take my eyes off of him whenever he was on-screen.
Watching Joe McFadden (Andrew) google eye his way through the role of Andrew was less of a joy. It was the stark contrast between watching a boy-man and a manly man. Why on earth would any semi-rational woman, even Carol, want the former when she could have the latter? She didn't need some dreamy-eyed idealist; her needs could only be met by a realist. Even she slowly grew to accept that idea later on in the game.
OTOH, Sarah Smart (Carol) had some really outstanding moments on screen as she showed all of the messy parts that made up the whole of Carol. Somehow, even though she was constantly showing me her hard edge, I found her a very strong and sympathetic character. She was as solid in her way as JS was in his. Perhaps, that was ultimately the attraction between them. Two hardworking pragmatists with good work ethics. Once Andrew had been replaced in her day2day life by JS, I really enjoyed the story more.
Personally, I got really tired of watching the emotional excess and self-indulgent behavior of Andrew as he alternately yanked Carol's chain to reel her back in and then just seemed to drop it in pursuit of his own follies, leaving her to spin in the wind. Then, there he'd be again reeling her back in. Carol seemed too self-sufficient to keep buying his line of self-serving and manipulative hooey without question.
I know that the core story was supposed to be about their backNforth tugs but I just didn't buy that these two people were lovers of the century. It wasn't a tug of love between two equals. She was far stronger than he.
Carol was a much stronger character and I found it increasingly harder to believe that she'd have allowed herself to be pulled back into that obviously poor excuse for a love relationship. Every time he'd come stomping around Sparkhouse demanding answers, I wanted her to cold cock him like she finally did in the last episode. I was practically cheering by the time she planted that fast, hard punch right on his twitching nose.
The dialogue was well-written, and the whole cast was very well put together. But when isn't it with such talented British actors in all the roles. However, I do think there were too many comparisons to "Wuthering Heights" though. The story might have flowed a little freer if it hadn't had those strands so obviously threaded throughout it.
I've watched "SH" several times now and I really feel as though I like the characters even more. Except Andrew. He still annoys me with his childish, self-serving temper tantrums.
The ending is sad and thotprovoking but I feel that Carol's "Scarlet O'Hara" spirit will rule the day. She'd already survived some tough body blows and always struggled back to her feet to face the new day and its challenges.
I'd love to see a sequel to Carol's quest. Perhaps, a "Sparkhouse Revisited."
The story was interesting and pretty hard hitting in some "not so run-of-the-mill" ways. It began as a story about a privileged "Romeo" and his rough-edged "Juliet." For me, it quickly became a triangular affair once the character of John was fleshed out. And that's when I really became interested. Andrew and Carol were two mismatched people who kept clinging to each other for non-discernible reasons.
The main reason that I sought it out was because I wanted to see Richard Armitage (John Thornton in the BBC's "North and South" 2004 mini-series) in the role of John Standring. I had seen screen caps and little mini music clips which whetted my appetite.
JS is really a "Cinderfella" in some ways. He undergoes an amazing transformation from shy, scruffy-looking, coverall-clad farm hand to tall, dark, handsome, blue-eyed "strong shoulder to lean on" hunk.
But more important, Carol needs his help and he steps right up to the plate to give it to her to save her family farm, Sparkhouse. He had always been around, somewhat like the family dog pining away for her, while she was off in the moors with that lame excuse for a boyfriend, Andrew.
And when she gets JS properly clothed, followed by a haircut in a salon, I couldn't believe my eyes at his profile. Watching RA show the amazing swan transformation with his excellent acting, line delivery, and body movements was a real joy. He is a master of the perfect look, pulling back in volume to deliver the key word(s) quietly for emphasis rather than shouting them, and moves his body very well for a big guy! And he has gorgeous, piercing blue eyes and a shy, sweet smile. He is a very nuanced performer and I couldn't take my eyes off of him whenever he was on-screen.
Watching Joe McFadden (Andrew) google eye his way through the role of Andrew was less of a joy. It was the stark contrast between watching a boy-man and a manly man. Why on earth would any semi-rational woman, even Carol, want the former when she could have the latter? She didn't need some dreamy-eyed idealist; her needs could only be met by a realist. Even she slowly grew to accept that idea later on in the game.
OTOH, Sarah Smart (Carol) had some really outstanding moments on screen as she showed all of the messy parts that made up the whole of Carol. Somehow, even though she was constantly showing me her hard edge, I found her a very strong and sympathetic character. She was as solid in her way as JS was in his. Perhaps, that was ultimately the attraction between them. Two hardworking pragmatists with good work ethics. Once Andrew had been replaced in her day2day life by JS, I really enjoyed the story more.
Personally, I got really tired of watching the emotional excess and self-indulgent behavior of Andrew as he alternately yanked Carol's chain to reel her back in and then just seemed to drop it in pursuit of his own follies, leaving her to spin in the wind. Then, there he'd be again reeling her back in. Carol seemed too self-sufficient to keep buying his line of self-serving and manipulative hooey without question.
I know that the core story was supposed to be about their backNforth tugs but I just didn't buy that these two people were lovers of the century. It wasn't a tug of love between two equals. She was far stronger than he.
Carol was a much stronger character and I found it increasingly harder to believe that she'd have allowed herself to be pulled back into that obviously poor excuse for a love relationship. Every time he'd come stomping around Sparkhouse demanding answers, I wanted her to cold cock him like she finally did in the last episode. I was practically cheering by the time she planted that fast, hard punch right on his twitching nose.
The dialogue was well-written, and the whole cast was very well put together. But when isn't it with such talented British actors in all the roles. However, I do think there were too many comparisons to "Wuthering Heights" though. The story might have flowed a little freer if it hadn't had those strands so obviously threaded throughout it.
I've watched "SH" several times now and I really feel as though I like the characters even more. Except Andrew. He still annoys me with his childish, self-serving temper tantrums.
The ending is sad and thotprovoking but I feel that Carol's "Scarlet O'Hara" spirit will rule the day. She'd already survived some tough body blows and always struggled back to her feet to face the new day and its challenges.
I'd love to see a sequel to Carol's quest. Perhaps, a "Sparkhouse Revisited."