Who is watching the Forsyte Saga?

[Catshrink]

I started watching it out of curiousity and for some reason, it hooked me. Anyone else?

[elcondor]

1. Me!

I find myself oddly sympathetic towards Soames--I know I'm not supposed to! :shrug:

[Catshrink]

3. Soames is a jerk..

but what a transformation! I was so touched when he touched baby Fleur's finger at the last of the first series. She makes him almost human.

[dtseiler]

8. Never!

I find it impossible to pity Soames no matter what after his treatment of Irene. Besides the bastard is still filthy rich.

However the characters is perfectly portrayed and it's a delight to watch his performances.

[dtseiler]

2. All of them!

I've been watching since the first series with my wife. Bought her the John Galsworthy book as a gift last year.

So tonight we're getting ready to watch and I noted how Montague Dartie is my favorite character because he's just such a total ass. Then BOOM, you know what happens in the first 10 minutes of the episode.

Great to see another Forsyte fan out there!

[Catshrink]

4. Actually, I don't! It's my first time seeing it

and I didn't read the book.

[dtseiler]

6. eek!

Well I didn't quite spoil anything. We haven't read the book either (yet), it just serves as decoration on our bookshelves to make us look cultured to our friends.

Then I assume you've missed tonight's episode or have it taped? It's definitely a good one.

[Catshrink]

7. It's just coming on here -- I'm in AZ.

You must be east coast?

[dtseiler]

9. US Central

I'm in Wisconsin. Sorry I don't really have a clue how television programming works. Yes Eastern and Central are normally broadcast simultaneously. Masterpiece Theatre is on at 8:00 PM here.

Enjoy the show!

[Catshrink]

10. A cheddar head?

A Packer-Backer? I sit here typing wearing a Bears shirt. I'm a former Chicagoan.

On edit: where in WI?

[dtseiler]

11. Ugh

Yes I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and am a lifelong third generation Packers fan. However I loathe the "cheesehead" crap that people seem to think so typifies Wisconsin.

So take that you F.I.B!

I'm in Manitowoc, on Lake Michigan about 90 minutes north of Milwaukee on I-43.

[Catshrink]

14. My sister lives in Twin Lakes...

and her husband is a rabid Packers fan. Even has his share of Packer stock framed in the den.

[dtseiler]

5. P.S.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to toot my own horn and note that I've been told my Russell Baker impersonation is impeccable.

[Catfish]

12. Don't know why but I love it

I've never seen it on TV but was given the new series on DVD and liked it so much that I bought the old series on DVD. Just got the set of books off of ebay. I love and hate Soames. Really what I like is the huge cast of characters and the social commentary. The old Aunts are also a favorite.

[Catshrink]

13. I love the old aunts....

Looks like that's what I'll grow up to be, according to my nephews!

[DemBones DemBones]

16. Wait! This is a NEW series?

I don't know if I want to see a remake. The actors and all the production values were so good in the original.

But it sounds as if they've done a good job again, if you're watching a new series. Since I can't get PBS, maybe I'll buy the old series on DVD. Thanks for the info that it's available. I'd like to see Vanessa Redford's "Elizabeth R" again, too.

[cosmicdot]

18. I was just given the new series on DVD, too

so, it's good, huh?

haven't watched it yet

[DemBones DemBones]

15. Damn! I had no idea it was being shown!

The only PBS channel we get with our current Direct TV package is one of those that shows mostly educational programs such as Business English or Health for Adolescents. :eyes: Nova? No. Masterpiece Theatre? No. ETC.!!!

Just wait until you see what happens with Irene! And Fleur growing up!

Sure, it's a soap opera, but a very high class one, with wonderful acting and a great sense of the times. Enjoy!

[Catfish]

17. Original series

The DVD set I have of them has some great commentary on how the series affected England at the time, nobody went out, electricity use soared, it captivated the nation. I think it's one of the first mini-series. If anyone would like to borrow the set of either the new series or the old, I'll be glad to send it to you. You can PM me.

[DemBones DemBones]

19. We used to hate it if the baby woke up during the show!

Before VCRs and TiVo, parents had to be very good at speed diaper changing and getting the baby quiet in the living room with us. I'd rock her in my trusty little antique rocker, and nurse her if she wanted it, until she went to sleep again. Our friends all watched it, too, though it was kind of a guilty plasure, like watching "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" on network TV a few years later.

[dtseiler]

21. I sympathize

Naturally just as the show was beginning last night my wife's best friend (now in another state) calls to catch up. Had to quickly put the tape in.

Sometimes commercial breaks would be a good thing!

[Mz Pip]

20. I loved the original series

which was made in 1968. It was 26 episodes. I finally got the tapes on Ebay a couple of years ago. I've read the books, all 6 of them 3 times. Galsworthy won the Nobel prize for literature in 1934 for them. They are such wonderful books and are not only a terrifc soap opera but a very thoughtful portrayal of the changes that occured in British society in the late 1900's and early 20th century.

MzPip
:dem:

[pippin]

22. Irene is strangely miscast

The actress who played the role was beautiful in a serpentine, pre-raphaelite way which was appropriate for the period the book was set in. But Galsworthy's Irene was blond--Galsworthy describes the color of her hair as the color of dead leaves. Galsworthy's wife was herself previously married and the marriage was unsatisfactory. She had dark hair and to make the fictional character less identified with his own wife, Galsworthy made Irene a blond. The actress who played Irene was also much too thin for the era--this was the time where women were more ample--ample bosoms, cinched waists, and behinds enchanced by bustles.

In the last book of the Forsythe Saga, Soames' daughter continues the theme of unrequited love. Won't spoil it for those who haven't read the book by telling you who her love object is!!

If you can get your hands on it, see the the 1968 version too.

[Tracer]

23. Oh yes, I'm watching it.

In fact, I re-watched all the old episodes leading up to the new ones!

It's a great soap opera.

One thing that I enjoy about these productions is the care that British TV takes in costuming and art direction. I spend quite a lot of time admiring the backgrounds while the actors in front do the talking.