Small absurdities and major tragedies
SPOILER ALERT: This is a detailed plot description, it may spoil the experience for any viewers and potential viewers.
Cranford Ep 1/5
Sunday 18 November
9:00pm – 10:00pm
BBC ONE
Part one of the drama is set in June/July 1842.
Mary Smith (Lisa Dillon) flees a crisis at home in Manchester to stay with two spinster sisters, Deborah Jenkyns (Eileen Atkins) and Matty Jenkyns (Judi Dench), in the small, rural town of Cranford. Deborah is the dominating force in Cranford society, and the kind-hearted and eccentric Matty believes her to be the best judge in all matters.
A new young doctor, Frank Harrison (Simon Woods), is brought to Cranford to join Dr Morgan (John Bowe) in his medical practice. Despite Dr Morgan talking up his protégé, the mere fact that Frank is a young bachelor and trained in London is enough to make him the talk of the town.
When the town’s carpenter, Jem Hearne (Andy Buchan), has a catastrophic fall from a tree, Dr Morgan is horrified to learn that, instead of amputating the injured arm, Dr Harrison is determined to attempt new and risky surgery. Everyone gets involved in the case, and gossip and rumour spread, led by the unassailable Miss Pole (Imelda Staunton).
Meanwhile, Cranford’s reigning aristocrat, Lady Ludlow (Francesa Annis), who lives two miles outside Cranford at the splendid Hanbury Court, wants to turn her attention to the planning of her annual garden party with her trusted estate manager, Mr Carter (Philip Glenister).
The Jenkyns are intrigued when the house across the street is let to a retired soldier, Captain Brown (Jim Carter), his daughter Jessie (Julia Sawalha), and Jessie’s ailing older sister.
Deborah and Matty are riveted to see that he seems acquainted with another local aristocrat, Sir Charles Maulver (Greg Wise), who engages the Captain in an unknown business proposal.
7 Responses to “Small absurdities and major tragedies”
Comment from Tony and Tishy
Time 18 November 2007 at 10:01 pm
Just watching the first episode, and the part with the cat is one of the funniest things we have seen in a long time. In fact the whole episode is a delight.
Comment from Colin
Time 18 November 2007 at 11:21 pm
Brilliant first episode. It went along at a cracking pace, so the hour went in no time at all.
Only problem was ‘star watching’ as in ‘where have we seen him/her before.’
We also agree with Tony and Tishy in that the cat scene was hilarious.
Roll on next Sunday!
Comment from Wendy
Time 19 November 2007 at 8:23 am
Cranford is just brilliant, first episode went so fast, can’t wait until next Sunday but do not want it to ever finish! Fantastic acting.
Comment from Graham
Time 19 November 2007 at 8:55 am
What a treat. I loved every minute. All of the cast made a terrific job, with a star turn from Eileen Atkins. The scene with the discussion of the oranges was priceless! Can’t wait for the next episode.
Comment from Liz Douglas
Time 19 November 2007 at 10:10 am
Cranford is absolutely fantastic with funny warm characters, no bad language, no sex and no violence which made this the most enjoyable programme I have seen in many years. Well done, at last a programme that does not depress, insult or bore me. Hopefully we will see more of this type of drama and less of that rubbishy Dickens or overdone Austin.
Comment from janet ratcliffe
Time 3 December 2007 at 8:17 pm
What an absolutely great programme.Look forward to watching it all week.Love everything about it! From the cast,storylines, costumes, and setting this is undoubtingly one of the best programmes I’ve seen for a long time.
Comment from patricia
Time 5 November 2007 at 1:28 am
Thanks so much. I mentioned your site on the Life on Mars forum (The Railway Arms)as many of the members are interested in Philip Glenister in other roles and I thought they might like to read what you have collected. He also has his own site and has mentioned this program on it. I live in Canada so won’t see this for a while so I’m delighted to read what I can on here and elsewhere.