Didireaux

I'll probably watch the rest because I'm hooked, but this production is so disappointing. None of what made the book good is presented and instead we get a swords and sex melodrama wherein the viewer almost expects the multitude of villains to twist their mustaches while they torture the poor priest and to hear the crowds of extras to break into silly songs like Monty Python--"Fee, fie, foe, kill him dead!". None of the characters ever seem to age, over many decades. Matthew MacFadyen (who is a brilliant actor; see "The Way We Live Now"--really marvelous!) comes off as a simpleton and Ian McShane is just dull and seems to be in drag. Rufus Sewell does a decent job of Tom the Builder, but all the spiritual joy and ambition involved in building the cathedral(s) (the main focus of the book) is not at all communicated. What a waste of good subject matter.

So funny that this show has been over for nearly five years and 2 of us here stumbled across it (Hulu) just this week. I did like it enough that I wish it had pulled itself out of its aggravating, self-destructive Will they/won't they? trajectory and become something more, with more episodes to provide the quite diverting qualities that the show did have going for it. Loved the male lead; thought Rashida Jones was miscast (at least opposite Stephen Moyer). Loved Michael's supporting cast: sister, nephew, Indian friends, sister-in-law. Edie's friends not so much (may say something about my own social milieu) as they seemed much younger, phonier, grungier and a bit hopeless. Good soundtrack. Lastly, speaking of music, I could never believe that Rashida's Edie would be seriously into rock music, while I would easily believe that the Michael character would be, while he was evidently music clueless.

So--close, but a miss, as statistically most shows are more likely to be. Think the US version that's been done but never released, would probably be not as good, but more successful, like The Office.

Having been a faithful viewer of Nurse Jackie in its first season, I feel like celebrating this finale--in my mind the most successful episode yet. All the characters have become beautifully real by now, their inter-relationships are working together in a lively and compelling dynamic ("It takes a village!") and the plot details were handled like a virtuoso symphony, with main themes and subplots building with distinct notes of comedy, tragedy, sympathy, cynicism and riotous horrific humor, to a masterful blend, culminating with Jackie on the floor, sharing the moment with us: "Did you see that?"

I love these people and can't wait until they come back to us. A hospital, especially an emergency room, is a wonderful metaphor for life with something for everyone, and the very best works of art have you laughing and crying at the same time. Nurse Jackie can do that.