The episode's title "The Unseen Hook" (just in case anybody's wondering) is in reference, or at least that's my understanding of it, to a very powerful piece of text referred to twice in the book. The first time, and the one that resonates more and comes over more memorably to me, being Cordelia's Father Brown story. The quote in question being referenced in two of the series' episode titles (the other being the penultimate one "A Twitch Upon the Thread") and has an image of Catholics being tied to an invisible fishing line by God.
Anyway, that bit of brief irrelevance (or that is what people may interpret it as) aside, "The Unseen Hook" shows no decline in the superb quality seen in the previous six parts. None of the brilliantly executed uniformly great elements that have made 'Brideshead Revisited' the timeless classic that it is have been lost and actually got better and better with each episode and as 'Brideshead Revisited' progressed leisurely but never less than compellingly.
Have always felt that 'Brideshead Revisited' has held up very well visually. Still think that absolutely, and "The Unseen Hook" certainly does nothing to sway my mind. The period detail is so handsome to look at and a lot of effort clearly went into making it as authentic as possible, the photography doesn't swamp the drama and it never feels stagy that it feels stagy. The music is neither too loud, that it becomes overbearing, or too low-key that it has no presence at all. Very dynamic and very appealing to listen to, and cannot get enough of the quite timeless main theme.
Like before, and since, the elegance, thoughtfulness and emotional complexity of Waugh's writing carries over with ease in "The Unseen Hook". Everything regarding Sebastian here is really quite harrowing without being heavy-handed, to see such a big change physically and emotionally in him is as shocking for the viewer as it is for Charles. The bond between Charles and Sebastian is more than convincing though in a different way compared to the not as emotionally heavy earlier parts.
Jeremy Irons carries "The Unseen Hook" with understated authority. Diana Quick continues the vast character and interpretation growth evident in the later episodes. Anthony Andrews also really wrenches the heart, the portrayal of drunkenness and its consequences has seldom been better portrayed (being quite a devastating watch) which is saying a fair bit considering how portrayals of drunkenness and its consequences can be overdone and veering on embarrassing.
In conclusion, the brilliant quality hasn't been lost in any shape or form. 10/10
Anyway, that bit of brief irrelevance (or that is what people may interpret it as) aside, "The Unseen Hook" shows no decline in the superb quality seen in the previous six parts. None of the brilliantly executed uniformly great elements that have made 'Brideshead Revisited' the timeless classic that it is have been lost and actually got better and better with each episode and as 'Brideshead Revisited' progressed leisurely but never less than compellingly.
Have always felt that 'Brideshead Revisited' has held up very well visually. Still think that absolutely, and "The Unseen Hook" certainly does nothing to sway my mind. The period detail is so handsome to look at and a lot of effort clearly went into making it as authentic as possible, the photography doesn't swamp the drama and it never feels stagy that it feels stagy. The music is neither too loud, that it becomes overbearing, or too low-key that it has no presence at all. Very dynamic and very appealing to listen to, and cannot get enough of the quite timeless main theme.
Like before, and since, the elegance, thoughtfulness and emotional complexity of Waugh's writing carries over with ease in "The Unseen Hook". Everything regarding Sebastian here is really quite harrowing without being heavy-handed, to see such a big change physically and emotionally in him is as shocking for the viewer as it is for Charles. The bond between Charles and Sebastian is more than convincing though in a different way compared to the not as emotionally heavy earlier parts.
Jeremy Irons carries "The Unseen Hook" with understated authority. Diana Quick continues the vast character and interpretation growth evident in the later episodes. Anthony Andrews also really wrenches the heart, the portrayal of drunkenness and its consequences has seldom been better portrayed (being quite a devastating watch) which is saying a fair bit considering how portrayals of drunkenness and its consequences can be overdone and veering on embarrassing.
In conclusion, the brilliant quality hasn't been lost in any shape or form. 10/10
