'Bleak House' became an instant favourite first watching it in 2005, also reading the book concurrently. Still hold it in extremely high regard, one of the best literary period television adaptations in the past twenty years or so. Don't know which is better between this and the 1985 adaptation, both wonderful in their own way. That adaptation was more faithful, without feeling overly so (yes there is such a thing), while this is more accessible, particularly when you've either not read the book or reading it at the same time.
Am saying this because 'Bleak House' is a very long book, one of Dickens' longest, with a complicated story where there is a lot going on, and very meaty characters that are mostly complex. We are now at the halfway point, after seven superb previous parts, and the exceptionally high quality is still maintained. Its main interest point is a big revelation concerning Lady Dedlock and that is one of the episode's highlights as well. Everything with Sergeant George and Tulkinghorn compels as well.
Visually, this eighth episode looks wonderful. It's beautifully shot and handsomely and evocatively designed. Nailing the Victorian era in both look and atmosphere, one can feel and smell the full impact of the dangerous living conditions present in the era. The music fits nicely.
The characters are still interesting, the complexity and important character traits still maintained but expanding too. The dialogue is literate and thoughtful in an accessible way, without being too wordy which is a feat as Dickens is talk-heavy and it can be quite dense. All of the major subplots are interesting, they don't bore and never found myself losing focus. The big scene between Esther and Lady Dedlock is extremely moving, could especially feel the emotion with Anderson. Apparently, that scene posed problematic when filmed and the emotional drainage that both Anderson and Martin must have felt comes through very effectively in the scene.
Gillian Anderson's Lady Dedlock is as tortured and artistocratic as ever and again Tulkinghorn cannot be trusted with a bargepole, his evil and deceit brilliantly brought out by Charles Dance as if born to play him. Despite the name, the Guppy of Burn Gorman is one that one can easily take seriously without that aspect being overdone. Phil Davis is a suitably repellent Smallweed and Anna Maxwell Martin is affecting but never makes Esther bland.
In summation, brilliant as to be expected. 10/10
