Seen TPOTE? Discuss here

[tipou]

"lack of naked masons" LOL

[vmaciv]

I am thoroughly enjoying TPOTE. I did actually have to go back to the book a couple of times because I felt like I missed something or they missed something but I love the building of the Cathedral. I loved it in the book as well. With all the other plots and subplots you forget about the Cathedral sometimes. I did wish I could have traded places with Ellen. I may be a little old fashioned but I like the not knowing and imagining.

[rueful]

This is a recap of episode 3, very positive, by a reviewer GE2 posted previously in the Reviews thread. Since it's a recap, there are many spoilers.

tv.ign.com/articles/110/1109800p1.html

SPOILERS

The reason I wanted to mention the review here was because of the following. She's talking about the quarry scene with the monks chanting and the sun coming up:

Though the episode as a whole was engaging, that scene was a bit of a problem. My viewing companion, who conveniently hasn't read the book, had no idea how holding up a cross in the sun would frighten anyone into losing tons of money. I'm not sure that they gave enough explanation about William's fear.

I sort of agree with this, although not at this point in the series. Obviously, you could see that William was afraid. In the first episode Agnes stopped him from hurting Tom by calling on God, and earlier in the third episode Tom also threatened him with God. So it was not so much in the quarry scene that it struck me, because it's now been established that William is terrified of hell, but that very first time with Agnes, I remember wondering what the story was. Of course in that time, most people were deeply (and perhaps superstitiously) religious, but I wondered if there was some story behind his overreaction. This isn't a guy who isn't normally afraid to murder or rape, so why does the mention of God stop him in his tracks?

Does anyone who has read the books know if this is something explained later, or is it just a trait we're supposed to accept?

Aug 1, 2010 13:25:06 GMT numbat said:

I have given up hope that this story will be in the least bit deep or intellectual.........

...but of course it will somehow prove that their relationship is not just about sex, right?

Sorry to hear about your DVR situation Wichi. I hope you are right and you'll be able to get the DVD right away. I'm surprised they haven't announced a release date yet. Hopefully in time for Santa to bring it!

[numbat]

Aug 2, 2010 8:34:12 GMT rueful said:

Aug 1, 2010 13:25:06 GMT numbat said:

I have given up hope that this story will be in the least bit deep or intellectual.........

...but of course it will somehow prove that their relationship is not just about sex, right?

I hope it will rueful, but i have to tell you it's not easy developing that line given that they are in the very early stages of their intimate realtionship, have been separated for some length of time, and are finally, completely alone!!! And the scene i've been given to work from involves them obviously already fully "engaged" when he's literally just walked through the door, wet hair and clothes (well most of them anyway) still on!!!

The other, more serious issue i'm grappling with is the fundamental difference in their view of the world they live in - his one great desire is to build a cathedral to worship god, whilst she is a witch (by her own admission) with a deep seated loathing of the church.

But i promise i'm trying!!! ;D

[judypatooty]

After Episode 3 I'm very glad I read the book first.

It's too bad the shortened mini-series format cannot go into more of the backstory between Tom and Ellen. In the book, their relationship IS more than just sex, although it definitely had its roots in physical attraction.

As to William's superstitious religiosity, I don't recall it being a very big plot element in the book. But, he was definitely portrayed as a violent, spoiled, childlike character who was easily manipulated and controlled by those he feared (e.g., his mother).

I agree that there was a severe shortage of naked masons.

SPOILER

What do you want to bet that when Jack and Aliena get physical we'll see a much longer and more revealing scene? Harrrumph. I want to see a sexy 42-year-old man a LOT more than I want to see a skinny little redheaded man.

END SPOILER

[rueful]

Aug 2, 2010 9:19:53 GMT numbat said:

it's not easy developing that line given that they are in the very early stages of their intimate realtionship, have been separated for some length of time, and are finally, completely alone!!!....But i promise i'm trying!!! ;D

Seriously, I have every confidence in your abilities to pull it off (and I don't mean his tunic).

SPOILERS

Aug 2, 2010 13:21:23 GMT judypatooty said:

As to William's superstitious religiosity, I don't recall it being a very big plot element in the book. But, he was definitely portrayed as a violent, spoiled, childlike character who was easily manipulated and controlled by those he feared (e.g., his mother).

Thanks for answering my question, Judy. It's one of several things where the viewer has to put things together from the acting or events and it's not spelled out. I don't mind that all--I really don't want to be handed everything on a silver platter. But it is a hazard of not reading the book, missing some of the depth. I definitely plan on reading it afterward to fill in.

Aug 2, 2010 13:21:23 GMT judypatooty said:

I want to see a sexy 42-year-old man a LOT more than I want to see a skinny little redheaded man.

You said it! Most producers/directors (men) don't understand women at all.

I agree that there was a severe shortage of naked masons.

Now I really, really want to start a punk band called "The Naked Masons." Who's in?

[nicole]

Hip, hip, hurray!

I can join this circle because of our fabulous Nell.
Nell, thank you so much (you know for what). And thanks to Maz (you also know for what but it hasn't reached me so far).

Watched Part 1 and 2 yesterday and today and I'm just searching for the right words to describe my current feelings.
I'm totaly swoon away for Tom.


SPOILERS



I cried in every scene with the baby. The most hardest scene was in the priory where he could hold his baby for a few moments. I needed to stop the film at this point to gather my emotions because it was so sad that it nearly broke my heart.

And then the scene in the hay. OH MY GOD. What was that? Where has he had his hand? Is it necessary to say that I repeated this scene a lot??? !!!!!!!!!!
And at their kiss: she shot her eyes and he let his open to watch her face while kissing. Aaaaahhhh! (I felt like this smiley at that moment ;D ).

And maybe it's not nice to say that but I didn't liked Agnes. Don't know why. I also didn't liked the way she looks. Have to say that I hasn't read the book so maybe she looks like she's described in the book.

END OF SPOILERS


Tomorrow I'll watch Part 3. Can't wait to see Tom Builder again.

[spice]

I have so enjoyed reading all of your posts with your feelings and impressions of TPOTE. My sister and I watched the first 3 episodes again on Sunday. We are really enjoying this series. I posted my impressions but they have evaporated into cyber space due to our server's melt down, or whatever it was !! So, I'll try to put into words, my thoughts, feelings.
My perceptions pertain to the performance Rufus delivered. I must repeat myself again.... Rufus is an acting genius. He captures the very mind, soul and heart of the character he portrays. With his extraordinary talent, he becomes the very essence of that individual. And he accomplishes this without compromise. He retains his own person, never to diminish his own sense of self.
I found this quote about "Genius" by Samuel Johnson;
"Genius...that energy which collects, combines, amplifies and animates."
Doesn't that sound like Rufus?

[nell]

Yay nicole. I'm pleased you are enjoying !

[rueful]

SPOILERS

Glad you have finally been able to watch, Nicole! The baby scenes were tragic, but so beautifully performed.

Aug 2, 2010 22:39:22 GMT nicole said:

And maybe it's not nice to say that but I didn't liked Agnes. Don't know why.

I didn't mind Agnes much as some others here have. (I haven't read the book either.) I thought she had a good reason to complain when she was ready to pop out the baby any second and Tom didn't want to take steady work because it was "dull." If I were Agnes, I would have strangled Tom. Well, maybe not, because he looks just like Rufus Sewell ;D , but you know what I mean. On the other hand, we didn't have much time to get to know her before she died, so it was hard to care about her too much.

Aug 3, 2010 20:34:45 GMT @spice said:

"Genius...that energy which collects, combines, amplifies and animates."

Doesn't that sound like Rufus?

That's a wonderful quote, Spice! Suits him to a T.

Another recap of episode 3, with spoilers:

armchairanglophile.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/pillars-of-the-earth-redemption/

Link to television without pity's discussion board for TPOTE (spoilers): forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3196382
The comments about history start around page 4. A number of people posting seem to know a bit about the history of the war between Stephen and Maud, so there are some interesting posts about the relevant history, if anyone is interested.

[kygal]

Thanks for the info Rueful. Rufus has me reading and interested in history...how did that happen!

[judypatooty]

Thanks for that link, Rueful. It's been fun reading through that forum.

I got a good laugh from this comment ... "And when I hear Rufus speak, I can close my eyes and think of something nasty in the woodshed."

His accent is a bit of Seth/Giles combination, isn't it?

-------------
Edited to add ...

I also liked this drinking game that someone suggested:

Ooh, drinking game!

Every time Alfred whines, drink

Every time Lady Regan goes all Jocasta on William, drink.

Every time Waleran holds back info and fools someone into doing his bidding, drink

Every time Alliena does something 'spirited', drink.

Every time Tom Builder manages to convey some of the enormous research Follett did on Cathedral building... well, you get it.

[rueful]

LOL, Judy! I think we'd all be drunk about 15 minutes into every episode.

[nicole]

Aug 4, 2010 13:19:20 GMT judypatooty said:

I got a good laugh from this comment ... "And when I hear Rufus speak, I can close my eyes and think of something nasty in the woodshed."

Shall we think that this comment was from Numbat?

[bluehorse]

Thanks to maz and nicole I finally had the opportunity to watch episode 1-3.

OMG, I KNEW it would be great. But I was not prepared to the fact that Rufus is getting better with each passing year.

This mason is the manliest man on earth!

Of course I must agree with most postings here.... there is way way way too little scenes with him. And so many scenes are cut in a way that I suspect that there has been much much more wonderful acting that has landed on the floor of the cutting room.
Let alone that there's too much clothes involved in those particular scenes....

But isn't it great to see Rufus' name mentioned in second place (first place would have been better).

Well, I think I have to watch it at least a couple of times again before I get to understand the story line. I was simply to busy to not miss a single split second with Tom in.

One of the most touching scenes for me was with the monks at sunrise. The way Tom waved his arm to give the sign to his men.
The whole scene made me shiver.

And I liked the scene, where Ellen came from behind to surprise him. The way she grabbed his bum! OMG. What a lucky woman.

Ok, now I stop it before I write more nonsense.

Thanks again to the ladies who made it possible for me to watch!