Today is the final day of Richard Armitage week on the web.  Let’s go over key scenes in Episode 3 of North & South again. 

Opener

Mr. Thornton walks out of the Hale’s house and stops at the the end of the street, like he’s unsure of where to go next.  (Awww!)  He passes Mr. Bell, but is distracted by his strong emotions, and doesn’t return his greeting.

Another mother-son talk

No one loves me or cares for me except you, Mother.

John has a drink before he enters the parlor, then he says to his mother that she was right re: Miss Hale’s lack of feelings for him.  But he thinks he loves her more than ever.  (Wow, another great moment where we glimpse Thornton’s vulnerability!)  Mrs. Thornton shoots back that she hates Margaret (for how she rejected her son).  They decided to never talk of her again.   

Higgins vs. Boucher

They have a bad argument.  We see that Boucher is more desperate than ever, though he’s the one who started the violence (by throwing the rock that hit Margaret).  Nicholas hasn’t returned to work, unlike most of the other millworkers, staying true to his committee. 

Mr. Bell’s observations

Hah, at least one guy senses that something may be going on between Margaret and Thornton!  When he meets them on the street, he jokes around with them, though they are clearly uncomfortable.  Thornton and Margaret don’t even look at each other.  Thornton looks mad, but he keeps his gentlemanly demeanor (also in front of the Lattimers). 

A father-daughter talk

Margaret and Mr. Hale discuss Frederick and his (precarious) situation should he visit home.  However, Margaret has sent a letter (few days back) and it can’t be taken back.  The navy “spares no expense” in bringing mutineers to justice, Mr. Hale says.  His voice is full of sadness and concern.  

Bessie’s death

Mary is in tears when Margaret comes to talk with Bessie, but she is already dead.  Nicholas finally breaks down upon seeing his daughter’s dead body.  Later on, Margret brings her father to try to console Nicholas.  He rails against God and the way of the world- some are born to be masters and others “live a half-life in the shadows” (a very powerful bit of acting from Brendan Coyle).  Mr. Hale wonders if Thornton and Higgins could discuss how to improve things (foreshadowing).

The Great Exhibition

He’s very interested in the world.  Really, I know him to be.

Margaret joins Aunt Shaw, Edith, Captain and Henry Lennox at the Great Exhibition in London.  She sees Thornton giving a speech to a group of gentlemen re: machinery, workers, and strikes.  They have a little argument, pointing out that they still don’t get each other, then the others catch up to them.  (Make sure to pay attention to the wary manner in which Henry and Thornton look at each other.  Thornton’s anger is barely concealed, simmering below the surface. Henry comes off as arrogant.)   

A mother-mother talk

Mrs. Hale lies in bed and talks (very seriously) with Mrs. Thornton.  She asks Mrs. Thornton to “be kind” to Margaret and give her guidance (if needed) once she is gone.  Mrs. Thornton admits that it is difficult for her to show affection. 

More misunderstandings

I’m sorry, I thought I’d still be welcome here… despite what has passed between us.

Mr. Thornton comes to return a book of Mr. Hale’s and give Mrs. Hale a basket of fruit.  Margaret stalls for time, as can’t let him in, because Frederick is inside.  He sees a man’s bag in the doorway and hears an unfamiliar laugh upstairs.  (Thornton thinks that Margaret has a suitor.)  Mary goes inside with some stuff, since she’s helping the family out.  Before Margaret can give an explanation, Thornton quickly strides away. 

At the train station

At night, in the train station, Thornton sees Margaret embracing a man.  (Of course, he doesn’t know it’s her older brother, or that she even has a brother.)  He is shocked- the scowl is pretty major (as Fred says).  A drunk Leonards confronts Fred and they have a brief fight. 

At Mrs. Hale’s funeral

Look how Thornton’s face transforms when Mr. Bell talks of Henry and his close connection to the Hales.  (Maybe he’s wondering if Henry was the man at the station?)  Then, a young police inspector comes over to talk to Thornton (who is also a majistrate) about an important matter.  We see Leornard’s dead body.    

Aftermath of Boucher’s death

Nicholas is in tears, feeling guilty.  Mr. Hale is very pale with shock.  So, Margaret goes to tell Mrs. Boucher that her husband is dead (killed himself).  We learn that Mrs. Boucher died a few days later, leaving behind their kids.

Aftermath of Leonards’ death

To protect Fred, Margaret keeps her cool, and lies to Inspector Mason when he comes (respectfully) to question her at the house.  “I was not there,” she calmly repeats.  However, Mason has a witness who identified her by name.  There could be an official inquest, he informs her.

When Mason recounts this to Thornton, he is (once again) shocked.  He thinks about the matter- conflicting emotions flow across Armitage’s face.  Later that same day, Mason goes to tell Margaret that there will be no inquest.  (Thornton handled the matter.)

End of Episode 3

I hope you realize that any foolish passion for you on my part is entirely over.  I’m looking to the future.

Margaret tries to thank Thornton when he comes to read with her father, but he cuts her off.  His words are angry, but from his eyes, you can see that he desperately wants to know what happened.  Alas, Margret can’t reveal another person’s secret. 

   

Opening

Richard Armitage week continues!  Episode 2 starts with a very cute little boy and girl who are picking up extra cotton from the floor.  They have to move fast, or the mechanized looms that the weavers are using will run over them!  Mrs. Thornton, a woman with a “stern brow” (like her son), is walking through the mill, scrutinizing the workers.  The workers refer to her as “the dragon.”   

Margaret & Thornton in the mill courtyard

Maragret gets the name of a good doctor (Donaldson) from Mrs. Thornton, who is concerned about a possible strike.  We can see that Margaret has a concern for the workers at the mill.  She asks the (teen) girls if they like working and they give their opinions freely, until they spy their boss approaching.  

Here in the North, we value our independence.

When Margaret explains she came to his house, Thornton wonders if she’s ill (note the seriousness/concern on his face).  Then they have a discussion about the  “duty” of being a master.  Here Richard Armitage reveals more of Thornton’s ethical values, as well as his attraction toward Margaret.  She is a bit surprised that he openly tells her about the workers’ conditions.  Note his eyes as he speaks- he is clearly enjoying their little talk.    

Margaret has a chat with Bessie

They joke a bit about the Thorntons.  We learn the seriousness of Bessie’s condition (cotton “fluff” in her lungs from when she was little).  Then, Margaret reveals the truth of her older brother, Frederick (Rupert Evans), who was unfairly branded with being a traitor after a mutiny.  He lives in Cadiz, Spain, after a time in South America.  The Hales miss him deeply and wonder if they’ll ever see him again.  This grows upon one of the big themes in North & South– fairness.     

The Thorntons at home

I wish you would try to like Miss Hale, mother.

With the strike potentially looming, Mrs. Thornton is a bit apprehensive about having her dinner party.  She and Fanny reveal their dislike for Margaret, which bothers John.  They think she “gives herself airs” (acts superior), though her family is “not rich” and “she cannot play” (piano).  Mrs. Thornton reveals that “she’ll never have you.”  You can see the disappointment flicker across John’s face, then a little smile, and acceptance.  (He thinks he’s not good enough for Margaret at this time.)  John tries to play it cool, saying that they should try to like her because she’s the daughter of his friend. 

Planning the strike  

No, no violence.  Masters expect us to be violent.  We will show them we are thinking men.

Workers from several mills are getting ready for the strike, urged on by Nicholas (who works at Hamper’s), who is repected by most of the men.  He says that they must all stick together, not like five years ago, when half of them succumbed.  The men chant and cheer, thinking that they will get a wage increase this time.  Boucher (who works at Marlborough Mills) has very strong doubts still.

Meeting Mr. Bell

Mr. Hale’s closest Oxford friend, Mr. Bell (Brian Protheroe), comes for a visit and compliments Margaret (calling her a “goddess”).  At first, she is embarassed, as she doesn’t see herself in that way.  Mr. Bell is in town to see his banker, as he’s heard about the possible strike.

Higgins vs. Boucher

Boucher, who has grown very desperate, can’t stand to see his family go hungry and says that the union has no pity.  Nicholas (angrily) gives him some money from the union’s strike fund, but it’s not enough.  Later, we see Margaret leave some food outside the Boucher home, as his wife won’t directly take charity.

Mrs. Thornton’s dinner

Oooh, this is the point where we see Thornton all dressed up!  There is also the hottest handshake in history- he doesn’t want to release Margaret’s hand.  The camera lingers on their hands.  They are clearly attracted to each other on some level.  John looks at her like she’s the only one in the room for a time.  I love the little sigh (barely perceptible) he gives before he has to leave Margaret!

When they sit down to dinner, it’s a different story.  The guests are surprised to learn that Margaret is friends with the likes of Higgins.  Thornton thinks that giving Boucher a basket is just prolonging the strike.  Margaret shoots back: “But surely, to give  dying baby food!”   

Margaret learns about her mother’s health

Dixon has been hiding the fact that Mrs. Hale’s condition is getting worse.  Dr. Donaldson has been visiting relgulary, Dixon admits.  Margaret and her mother have a emotional talk; her mother breaks down in tears.  They decide to keep the truth from her father (he’ll worry too much).  Margaret explains to Dixon that she “can bear it better” than Mr. Hale.

The strikers strike back

Thornton has brought in the Irish workers via an agent under cover of night.  The next morning, Margaret comes to the Thornton home to see about the “water mattress” which Fanny said she could borrow.  Fanny is very scared of the strikers who are at the gates.  Eventually, the strikers push open the main gate and rush the courtyard.

Margaret tells Thornton to go down and “face them like a man.”  Note the surprise on Thornton’s face.  A few moments later, she follows him out, realizing that he’s in danger.  When he refuses to send the Irish back, the crowd gets even angrier.  Margaret puts her arms around Thornton’s neck, insisting that “they will not hurt a woman.”  But it’s too late, Boucher hurls a rock which hits her on the left side of her head.  She falls to the floor, unconscious and  wounded, much to the shock of Thornton.  The soldiers arrive on horseback and beat some of the strikers down.  The others run off as fast as they can.

Consequences of the strike

While Thornton is off talking with the other masters, all he can think about is Margaret lying bloodied.  (Some viewers commented that there is more blood on her face, in his mind, than in actuality.  Hmmm… that could be the case!)  Margaret has decided to go home, after Dr. Donaldson checks her out.  Mrs. Thornton and Fanny are amazed to hear such a thing.  However, her mother is unwell and knowing of such an event would be too much for her.

She’s such a reckless young woman!

When Thornton returns home, he’s amazed that Miss Hale has gone.  His mother insists that “everything was done properly.”  He says he’s going to check on her, but she asks him not to go.  Then there is a dialogue-free sequence where we see that he has goes for a walk instead.  Meanwhile, Margaret tends to Bessie, who’s gotten worse.

The mother-son talk

This is one of the best scenes in the mini-series!  John comes back from a long walk and starts to tell his mother what he’ll “have to say” to Miss Hale.  (We assume that he wants to thank her.)  However, Mrs. Thornton point s out that “she made her feelings plain for all to see” by rushing out to save him.  The servants all saw and the whole town will be gossiping about it.  As a man of honor, her son should propose to Margaret.  John is very surprised to hear this interpretation, because he didn’t even dare to think that Margaret could love him.  He doubts that she cares for him.  Notice how his face softens as he reveals his true feelings to his mother (as she is the only person he can be vulnerable around).  Armitage and Sinead Cusack not only look like they could be related, they have terrific chemistry together! 

The proposal (end of Episode 2)

I understand you completely.

As regular readers know, I wrote about the proposal scene before.  (I prefer the extended scene which is under the special features.)  John and Margaret really push each other’s buttons in this scene!  They are both very proud, spirited individuals with strong value systems.  They start off talking about the strike, then he switches the subject to feelings.  Now, Margaret is not thinking in that vein, so she stops him fast with some cutting remarks (recall her word choice).  This wounds his pride- he shoots back, claiming that he loves her (not doing this to protect her reputation).  They don’t yet understand each other.  Wow, just a perfect ending to the episode!

Introduction

For Richard Armitage Week on the Web, I’m re-watching my favorite miniseries, North & South (BBC, 2004).   As I wrote before, I learned a little about it from the (many) YouTube fan videos created by its loyal fans.  Wow, I guess something about this film really touched people!  I saw it first in 2009 (Spring), not long after I’d moved to a city I didn’t know and had no local friends/connections (just like Margaret’s predicament at the start of Episode 1). 

The Backstory

Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe) is looking back on the London wedding of her vivacious/blonde cousin, Edith, as she takes the train from Helstone (her home in the rural South- Hampshire) to Milton (a growing industrial city modeled after Manchester by novelist Elizabeth Gaskell).  We meet Aunt Shaw (a wealthy widow who was married to a much older man) and Margaret’s parents, the Hales (married for love).

You know, sister, sometimes I envy you your quiet country parsonage.  Now, Edith can afford to marry for love.

The older brother of the groom, Captain Frederick Lennox, Henry (John Light), chats with Margaret and compliments her looks, but she doesn’t notice.  (We can tell that he’s interested in her.)  They talk of the perfect wedding and Margaret’s love of her hometown.  Soon after she goes back to Helstone (bright/green/peaceful), Henry comes for a visit, much to Margaret’s surprise.  She is shocked when he proposes to her in the church yard.  Margaret (age 18) insists that she’s “not ready to marry anyone!”  Henry leaves, very disappointed, as he thought that she cared about him (as more than a friend).

Arrival in Milton

There will be no people like us there.

Mrs. Hale (Lesley Manville) is very upset and worried about going to live in such a strange place.  (It’s dark, gray, smoky, and bustling with people and activity.)  The Hales’ loyal housekeeper, Dixon (Pauline Quirke), empathizes with her mistress (who is in poor health).  Why can’t they stay “by the coast” (seaside) while Mr. Hale (Tim Pigott-Smith) looks out for a house?  But her husband insists that she come along.  Margaret tells her father that they should both go see the properties- it’s faster. 

Maragret is visibly annoyed when she overhears Mr. Thornton’s overseer (Williams) and another man (property agent) talking about Mr. Hale in a disrespectful way.  Williams doesn’t want to discuss rent of the townhouse with her, so she insists upon seeing Thornton.  She’s a bit surprised that Mr. Thornton’s house is right beside his mill.  After some minutes, Margaret gets tired of waiting, and walks into the mill.  

Meeting Mr. Thornton

There is cotton fluff going all around- Margaret has never seen such a place!  The workers are busy, aside from one man, who is trying to smoke.  Mr. Thornton (Richard Armitage) sees him before he can light up and chases him across the floor.  In one corner, he gets hold of the man (Stephens), and starts punching him (very hard), while shouting about the danger of fire in a mill.  Margaret is horrified to be witnessing such a fight; she yells “Stop!”  Stephens begs for his job and cowers on the floor (with blood on his face).  Thornton kicks him and yells over at his manager: “Get that woman out of here!”  Margaret chastises the master for his behavior before she’s urged away by Williams.

I was angry.  I have a temper.  Fire is the greatest danger in my mill aside from-

I love how Thornton stands up straighter and puffs out his chest before Mr. Hale introduces him to Margaret!  (He wanted to make a good impression.)  She’s not happy to see him- her expression is one of disgust and disappointment throughout the scene.  But she is surprised when he (passionately) tells the story of the burning of a mill in Yorkshire the previous year.  And the voice- WOW!

Introduction to the Higgins & Thorntons

They don’t much like strangers in my house.

There is some class and culture clash when Margaret meets the Higgins.  (Class difference is still a common theme, even in modern TV/films from the UK.)  They will become close friends, though the Higgins are working folks and she’s a gentleman’s daughter.  Bessie (Anna Maxwell Martin) admires how Maragaret stood up to Thornton.  We learn it was her father, Nicholas (Brendan Coyle), who helped Margaret in the stampede in an earlier scene.

Our Milton craftsmanship can compare with the very best.

Well, that was an awkward tea!  Mrs. Thornton (Sinead Cusack) is very stern and humorless.  She says that her son is “sought after by all the ladies” in town. When Margaret smiles and gives a little laugh at that, she is offended.  Fanny (Jo Joyner) is hilarious (without knowing it). 

The Masters’ Dinner

I do not run a charitable institution.  My workers expect me to be hard. 

This is an especialy well done scene!  The director and cinematographer work with light, shadow, and angles to cast Thornton as an ambiguous character.  We don’t yet know if he’s a good or bad guy.  We also learn a bit about the other mill owners, too, as they discuss “the wheel” and how they deal with their workers.

Tea with the Hales

Margaret is ironing the curtains.  Thornton smiles when he comes to the door of their house- love that!  He admires (checks out) Margaret as she pours him tea, but she remains stand0ffish. He tries to connect with her in this scene, but fails.  When Mrs. Hale talks about the new decor, he makes a comment on “Milton taste” and smiles over at Margaret. Again, no positive response from her.  But when he mentions the South, she gets ticked off, saying he “knows nothing about the South” and there being “less suffering” there than in  his mill.  Look at the (obvious) disappointment on his face! 

I do know something of hardship…

But things really get serious (we are more drawn in) when Thornton tells the story of his past.  Notice the change in his posture, voice, and expression with each sentence- just subtle/superb acting!  The Hales are silent and admit to being taken aback by his (emotional/forthright) disclosure.  Mr. Thornton is reading the great books and discussing them with Mr. Hale to improve his education (which was abruptly halted as a boy). 

Margaret, the handshake is used up here in all forms of society. 

Mr. Thornton is offended when Margaret refuses to shake his hand.  He wanted to leave her with a positive impression. 

The Meeting of the Millworkers

Nicholas rallies the men (from different mills) at the Lyceum Hall for the first time.  (Mr. Hale said they could meet during his lecture time.)  Boucher, who has a wife and six young children, speaks his concerns.  The strike fund can’t help men like him, he thinks.  They millworkers are not striking yet, but need to be ready for the future.

Conclusion of Episode 1

Stephens comes back to Marlborough Mills to beg for his old job, saying he can act as a spy and find out what the other workers are up to.  Thornton yells a him and shoves him out.  Part of this encounter is witnessed by Margaret and her father, who don’t approve of such harshness.  Margaret wishes she could tell Edith how she really feels- she’s “lonely” and Milton is “hell.”