Emma 2009: Episode 1.2

Emma 2009: Episode 1.2
BBC
11 October 2009
Historical Comedy
DVD
C+

This episode introduces Jane Fairfax (Laura Pyper) and Frank Churchill (Rupert Evans), although we did see them as small children in the fifteen minutes of backstory that the first episode began with.  Frank is not only miscast but his double entrance is bungled because it makes no sense for him to go almost all the way to see his father, near enough to meet Emma without exchanging names, and then turn around and go back to his aunt.  Also, it feels odd to hear Emma repeatedly described as clever and sophisticated, when that's not how Garai is playing her.  There are other tonal oddities, like John Knightley being randomly rude to Mr. Elton in the street, and Harriet weeping over Mr. Elton's engagement as Miss Bates natters on.  To balance all this, I thought some of the acting, including Garai's, showed improvement, or maybe I was just getting used to it.  Anyway, another C+.  We'll see how the next two episodes go.

Liza Sadovy would also be Mrs. Cole in the next episode.