It's been a long time coming but this new reworking of the Dumas's Three Musketeer's starts this Sunday on BBC1, and while not staying entirely true to the book it's narrative is felt throughout. As Creator and Executive Producer Adrian Hodges says "I simply felt the time was right to do something different with the founding myth of the Musketeers and to do what Dumas himself did with history - respect it, use it wisely, but also have fun with it." He adds "this new version is not an adaptation of the book, but rather a series of new adventures sometimes inspired by the novel, sometimes by the events of the period, and sometimes by more contemporary issues given a historical spin."
The opening episode introduces the main characters through two seemingly unconnected storylines, until you factor in the scheming and politically hungry Cardinal Richelieu who is a skilled puppet master. Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It, Doctor Who) is marvellous is the role, his subtle manipulation of King Louis (Ryan Gage; The Hobbit) is a treat to watch, and his utter ruthlessness is chilling later on in the episode when he deals with those he feels that have disappointed him.
The Musketeers themselves are played fairly straight, rather than as caricatures as in some of the film adaptations I have seen in the past. I can see that the BBC might be pushing the shipping aspect of some of them a bit more than they would have in recent years past; d'Artagnan's (Luke Pasqualino; Skins) two love triangles are both set up quite prominently, as is Athos's (Tom Burke; The Hour) brooding romantic past and Milady's (Maimie McCoy; Endeavour) glee at getting revenge on past lovers for example.
Friends and Enemies airs at 9pm on Sunday 19th January on BBC1 and BBC1 HD, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you think.
“Are you one of those religious nutcases?”
“That could have been your throat, don’t make me kill you over a mistake”
“You should try flattery sometimes, it plays very well around here”
“I won it in a card game with a red guard”
“You asked me to help you discredit the Musketeers, I have done so”
“Is that why you hate them so much, because they are beyond your control?”
“Tell your friends that Athos of the Musketeers spared your life”
“Degenerate! Touch me again and I’ll gut you like a fish”
“Attacking an unarmed opponent defies every principle of chivalry”
“Simply tell the Cardinal that I had a good reason for being here”
Trailer Teaser
“Tomorrow my name will live forever”
I apologise that this is up later than I would have liked this week, I have been away in London. I hope to have the rest of the episode previews up earlier in the week in future :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the preview, I am looking forward to this one but I worry is the show too silly at times? One of the reasons I could never get into Merlin or more recently Atlantis is that they often came across as too childish. I noticed Musketeers is on a 9pm so does it have a more adult tone? I don't mind fun shows but equally want a bit of spice or grit!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that the show's promo didn't grab me particularly for that reason, plus it seemed like it was trying to be a tad too clever with the one liners. I enjoyed this episode enough I guess (it's the only one I've seen so far, the BBC only preview a few days ahead at a time rather than weeks ahead like other networks, so it can be hard to gage) but I wouldn't call it as hard hitting as Ripper Street, for example, thou I think it will probably do well in the time slot for the target audience.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly more adult that Merlin/Atlantis, there is a much higher death count and serious consequences for decisions made, which is expected in this world of sword fights and political games. It's played more straight and serious than those shows, or say Doctor Who, are. But there are lighter moments obviously, generally in their camaraderie with each other, but on the whole it's not a silly show imo. Well, not from this one episode.
Thanks for the response it is very reassuring! I don't expect this show to be amazing but I love both Peter Capaldi and Santiago Cabrera so I am looking forward to it for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, you asked exactly the questions I was wondering about, and made exactly the points about Merlin/Atlantis that I have felt, yet I have been intrigued by this show and have been hoping it would go a bit deeper, or be a bit more adult.
ReplyDeleteThe later time-slot definitely makes me more confident. Originally I thought it would be on Saturday nights and that put me off - Doctor Who works well in appealing to all ages but Merlin and Atlantis both fell flat IMO.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Merlin and Atlantis quickly started to feel like (what I would call) Saturday morning shows. More formula, no true progression of plot, and more for a younger audience, as you pointed out. I'm intrigued and hopeful at the moment - interested to see how Musketeers finds its way.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love Capaldi, and I am a big Doctor Who fan, I think Santiago has to be my favourite casting in this. He seems like such a sweet guy in real life and can often bring a certain depth to a character that many other actors don't find in my opinion. Aramis here is portrayed fairly much as the book, the lover of the trio, but without a lot of the cockiness and arrogance that generally gets lumped in with the part in some other adaptations. It makes for a more sensitive character, much like his Lancelot in Merlin was in some ways I guess.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the extra info. That's encouraging. I'm very much looking forward to Santiago's portrayal.
ReplyDeleteD'Artagnan will be involved in 2 separate love triangles??? In the promos, I see him kissing Constance. And I'm assuming that Queen Anne will be his other love interest. So that's one triangle: D'Aragnan/Constance/Queen Anne. What other love triangle is he involved in? Are you talking about Milady, too? She's like 10 years older than him, though. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the show a lot. But I absolutely hate love triangles of any kind. So I don't know. Having the main character involved in 2 love triangles might be too much. Did you get a sense at least in WHICH woman's direction he is leaning towards? I mean, are the writers pretty straight forward in giving hints as to which girl he is going to pick? Which he likes the most?
ReplyDeleteYep, I get the feeling it is two triangles, though one is only hinted at and he doesn't fully realise it himself at present I don't think and is more because I know what usually happens in the story. The other is acted on, and we are left at he end of the episode knowing that he wishes to pursue it further, but again this is also covered in the original story anyway. I don't want to say too much, tease rather than spoil is my remit, but I think that those that know the novel will probably know what I am referring to. It's very early days for the show, I imagine that his love life will take the more traditional route as it progresses.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree that triangles aren't needed for every show, although the novel does have some already built into it so I guess they will be explored, I just hope that they don't over take the story as I would be disappointed if they do.
You're welcome, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Love having him back on my screen in a new role :)
ReplyDeleteHow about Athos and Porthos? How faithfully are those two portrayed?There's a line in the book about Athos that says he always smiles but never laughs . And Porthos. Though he is often seen as the comic relief, he is also extremely dedicated and loyal toward his friends and fellow Musketeers.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your reply. I honestly don't get the appeal of love triangles these days. They are just not needed on tv shows. And only create fan wars/problems. Writers should be original/creative enough to come up with other type obstacles instead of just triangles all the time. Anyway, I'm hoping the writers will stick to Constance/D'Aragnan as the main couple. I want them to stay true to the novel.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'd love to hear what you think after seeing the episode tomorrow, I think we have pretty much the same stance on the situation really :)
ReplyDeleteI'd say that they are both pretty spot on too, again they aren't over serious or played for laughs as they sometimes are, but are pretty balanced. Porthos is still the comic relief, although he perhaps isn't quite so honest over small issues as he in the novels he is still very loyal to King, country and his companions. Athos' secretive past is very much a big part of his character, in this episode at least, as is his brooding nature and his tendency to beat himself up over regrets and drown his sorrows when alone.
ReplyDelete