The Pajama Party
We’ve been promising something special this week starting today and – today’s the day. It might not come as a surprise to some of you who drop by and visit that when I get passionate about something, I tend to go a bit overboard.:) The reason is I’ve enjoyed it so much I just want everyone to enjoy it too. I don’t think there will be any raised eyebrows when I say my latest one is the British series North and South. I started hearing about it on the
So one Friday night after trying to figure out what IM to use and with the help of “The Sidekick” we connected. I can’t speak for Katiebabs and Sula, but I was sitting nice and cozy in my jammies with a nice cold beer and settled down for what really felt like a cyberspace pajama party.
So for the next three days, you get to see into our North and South Pajama Party discussion. Part one is here with me posting. Part two is at Sula’s blog and Part three is here with Katiebabs posting.
So sit back and enjoy. We tried to be serious at times but at others descended into girlish silliness.
Kristie(J): Question: So what makes N&S so special that it's grabbed our attention and won't let go? Either of you?
Kristie(J): (The sidekick - you can listen in 'cause we will be after you to watch this too)
KatieBabs: The subtle love story without all the over the top passionate words and touches. When John is watching as Margaret leaves and he says, look back- swoon!
Kristie(J): That's true - he is above her in some ways and beneath her in others. Like our wonderful Derek -he thinks he is unworthy of her. I do think he came from a better background originally - before his father blew it.
Sula: Yeah, but he had to work his way up from zero
Kristie(J): and yes though, he did raise himself and his family from the ground
KatieBabs: I like the fact that Margaret is strong and outspoken and that is why John loves herSula: Yes, I liked that too. She's not afraid to speak her mind even though she's a little naive in some ways.
KatieBabs: She is very caring and understanding, well with John, he rubs her the wrong way though. John was a lot like Derek in most ways. The looks he gives Margaret are much like the ones Derek gives Sara. And whenever someone is critical of Margaret, he defends her.
Sula: true
Sula: Yeah, in some ways he is like Darcy, but he's also more emotional I think
Kristie(J): I haven't seen that so I can't really compare them
KatieBabs: OMG you have been deprived!
Kristie(J): I did watch the latest version the other day and there really was no comparison
Sula: Yeah, you really do have to see that one
KatieBabs: No Colin Firth swimming in the lake?
Sula: hehe
Kristie(J): But after watching North and South I don't think I would care for it nearly as much. P&P that is
Sula: I loved how erotic just seeing
KatieBabs: LMAO!
Kristie(J): Yes!! At the train station when he didn't have his cravat on
KatieBabs: When he took off his neck thingy, that was very sexy.
Sula: Don't you think his starched cravat says something about the way he holds himself? His chin is always up
Kristie(J): I do. It's like he is holding himself back
Sula: Yes, or being held back by convention
KatieBabs: The smoldering looks said it all
Sula: And yeah, the eyes tell the true story. Yowza!
Kristie(J): Another thing I noticed upon many viewings is how he covers his mouth when he is feeling strong emotions, like he is trying to hold himself in somehow. It really starts getting noticeable when you watch it a lot.
Sula: hmm, you're right
Kristie(J): He hardly ever smiles at all!
KatieBabs: he hardly ever smiled unless he was with Margaret
KatieBabs: OMG!! I was a puddle on the floor
Sula: Heart-breaking
KatieBabs: That scene... no words!
Kristie(J): Oh me too! You can just feel his pain and longing
Sula: He's so vulnerable
Kristie(J): But yet - he turned his back on Margaret first when she was open to something
Sula: Well...to be fair he did propose to her and got turned down
KatieBabs: He doesn't want to give his heart away
Kristie(J): One thing I'm puzzled over is why she turned him down so rudely
KatieBabs: His proposal was an angry one because he is angry for loving so deeply
Sula: Yeah, I thought she was pretty mean to him
Kristie(J): But I think she was almost afraid of his passion
Sula: Did you watch the extended proposal scene? The one thing that I got out of it was that she was angry that people were assuming that she was chasing after him because he was rich. Again, I think she was upset that SHE (who would normally have been the catch but is now poor because of her father's loss of fortune) is the one that now is looking like a gold digger
KatieBabs: Her parents IMO were so weak
Kristie(J): Yes they both were she was the leader of the family especially after her brother left
Sula: Oh yeah, but funny
Kristie(J): His mother sure was strong though. She would make a frightening mother in law
Sula: I liked his mother. She was a bit of a battle ax, but she really loved him
Kristie(J): Almost too much though. Having two sons who have both been disappointed by women, I would never say I hate them. Especially if they told me they loved them.
Sula: Yes, well I think you can see where John gets his passionate nature from.
Kristie(J): And she did talk him out of going to see Margaret right away after he left the house when Margaret was hurt
KatieBabs: John's emotions were dark
Kristie(J): Yes - like the first time Margaret saw him. He beat that employee up pretty good. I imagine that did frighten Margaret quite a bit.
KatieBabs: But did you see how he changed towards the end of the movie. And when he found out about her brother, his face lit up?
Sula: Yes! "Her brother"
Kristie(J): I loved that part too! Like a light dawned
KatieBabs: His smile!
Sula: Love the change in his whole demeanor when he finds out that the guy she was embracing was her brother
Kristie(J): *swoon*
Sula: Random bit...I like when he's sitting in the cafeteria with the workers. That whole section shows how he's changing and growing
Kristie(J): Oh yes - I like that part too. I thought it interesting that it was Higgins who told him
KatieBabs: Poor Higgins
Sula: Also the interactions between him (Thornton) and the kid
Kristie(J): And how gentle he is with the little boy
KatieBabs: I felt sad for Margaret's friend who had originally asked her to marry him
And we have a couple of other things planned for after including a Very Special Guest. So – hopefully you get curious and want to see what makes three grown women gush like teenagers. I'd also like to add another link. If you're curious, if you've seen North and South and can't get enough of it, there is a very good discussion also going on another blog - Lights, Camera...History, an excellent blog dedicated to historical books and the movies.
So - Stay Tuned. Part two of the North and South Pajama Party is up tomorrow at Sula's!
'til later
17 comments:
I knew your little surprise had something to do with North and South! I am really looking forward to seeing this. :-)
Okay, so this sounds awesome! What is it and Where can I get? The only North and South I was familiar with was the US version that my mom wouldn't let me watch in the fourth grade.
OMG LOVED N&S. I have it on my Amazon wishlist for Christmas. If no one gets it for me...it'll be the first thing I buy with my Christmas money!
One thing that I noticed after watching N&S the second time through was Margaret's face. She has the SAME expression throughout the entire movie! There are like 3 or 4 scenes when she shows some major emotion but I remember thinking, damn, her face has to hurt, she's had the same expression through the entire thing! HAHAHA.
I heart N&S!!!!!!
Hi Kristie, I can see you had great fun chatting!! eh eh Looking forward to part 2 ;-)
Dev: heh heh. I tried to be subtle but that's not my best suit. And we'll be anxiously awaiting your verdict once you watch it.
Devon: It IS Awesome!! It's a miniseries - 4- one hour episodes based on a book written by Elizabeth Gaskell set in Victorian England. I know it's available through Netflix and Dev reserved a copy from her libaray. And it's nothing to do with the American N&S - I think that's what many of us on this side of the pond thought.
Mollie *g* hold those thoughts - cause there's more coming!! It is awesome isn't it? We heart it too - that's why we want others to see it and heart it also :)
Ana T: Oh we did have a grand time!! And in such a worthy cause too. Just wait until silliness takes over!
Mine has arrived but I want to make sure I have lots of time to just sit and relax. So I need enough pop, food and comfy clothes.
Why is it I always find a new obsession over the holidays! I read just bits and pieces of your post right now because I want to watch it somewhat unspoiled - although I know I'll be watching for a train scene ;)
Cindys
Simmering, smoldering, passion and that deep resonant voice. Just awesome. One thing GG and I commented on watching it the second time is that both Margaret and John are products of their times and the actors played their parts true to the time period. Talk about stiff upper lip and no public displays of emotion. Everything is in their eyes.
Just a great mini-series.
I noticed you guys mentioned the extended proposal scene. I think it should have been left in tact. The way it is in the final cut Margaret seems almost heartless whereas in the extended scene we do see her anger about it being assumed she is chasing John or desperate to 'land him'. Besides it explains about the gift of the fruit to Margaret's mother later in the series.
You can understand how John is his mother's son. But how did Margaret come from those two wimpy people?
Cindy: *chuckle* I had my copy a few days before I watched it. Then I watched the first two episodes and life interrupted before I had a chance to watch the second two episodes. All I can say is - *g* clear time soon and make sure you have a bit of time after to sit there is a puddle of happy gooiness. The first two episodes are great, but those last ones - specially the fourth one - well - I guarantee a puddle melt.
Rosie: you are so right!! They did play their roles beautifully. And Richard Armitage's voice *shiver*
Their passion for each other was so restrained but so obvious through their eyes and their simple touches. It's not until the final moments they become unguarded with each other - and then, when they do - Yowzers!
Margaret sure was in a different class altogether wasn't she?!? And I agree with you - they should have left the extended proposal scene in. If gives you more of a glimpse into her head.
I'm not sure what's going on here. Are you ladies trying to set Richard Armitage for - I don't know - world domination or something? Cos let me tell you, IT IS WORKING!!
As you know (Kristie has blogged about this) Richard Armitage is in a new Robin Hood series on BBC. It's a big Saturday night famiy show over here in the UK and has just started it's second series. I didn't watch the first series (it's a kids thing really) but now I have taken to watching it: just to see RA's Guy of Gisbourne. And get this: I am LOVING Guy (Robin is just *meh*). Yes, I can confirm that he DOES wear too much eyeliner in the role but get this: he makes Guy really human and I WANT HIM TO GET THE GIRL. Cos he is so good at acting like he is in love with someone. I can't believe that stoooopid Maid Marian prefers the little boy that plays Robin. *pause for breath*.
I need to go and lie down now...
Tumperkin: LOL - yes - we've been talking about Robin Hood too, Katiebabs & Sula have both seen Season 1 and I just got it myself. So far I've only seen the first 3 episodes. And we have been watching a few Season 2 courtesy of YouTube - Chest for example *huge grin* But O.M.G. Guy!!!!
Hot! Hot! Hot! We are so envious of you Brits - being able to see current episodes. And dumb, dumb, dumb Marian! Why want a boy like Robin when she has a man like Guy wanting her? Sure - he kills people but he just needs her to soften his harder edges and get him steered to the good side.
I was a bit surprised, only three libraries in my major metro area library system had it. But I've got it on reserve. I was like, "Not the one with Patrick Swayze, the BBC one." I should have it by this weekend. I'll wrap and watch.
yay devon! you will lurve it...I promise. *g*
Tonite I am hoping to regain my personal copy which I kindly lent out to a classmate over a month ago. Now she keeps "forgetting" to return it. HA! Forget, my arse. Keep dear Mr. Thorton on replay more like it. lol.
tumperkin, I so want Marian to get together with Guy...it's not even funny. He's the ultimate bad boy. Just needs the love of a good woman, that's all. *g* Robin who? A mere infant, that boy.
I can't wait to watch season 2 of Robin Hood. Good stuff such as more naked chest action from Richard and Marian can't take her eyes off of him!
Robin is a pansy who likes to play in the forest. Guy is the type who will march through the forest and destroy everything in his path because of his smoldering looks!
I'm off work sick today (bronchitis) ...what better way to spend the day than watching N&S.....going to check to see if the library has it! Looking forward to more discussions about N&S!
Who-hoo they have it! That'll make me feel better...;)
I have the sniffles also *sniff sniff* So let's discuss about the party scene where John quickly touches the gloved hand of a female guest, but when it comes to Maragret, he holds onto her naked hand for a much longer time then necessary. That scene is one of my favorites in the whole movie. So sexy and so telling about John and Margaret's reaction to him touching her!
Now if this was a 2007 romance novel, they would look at each other lustfully and Margaret would excuse herself to go out to the balcony or garden (well, maybe to the loons) and John would follow her and kiss her senseless, but GASP before they can go further, John's mother would come searchng for him...
Devon: Squeee!! I can hardly wait to see what you think of it!!! Will you be joining The Great North and South Crusade :) I'm thinking a resounding YES (heh heh)
Mollie: If you're home sick, I can't think of a better way to make yourself feel better!! A nice hot cup of tea, in comfy jammies, all wrapped up in a warm blanket and watching North & South - sounds wonderful being sick ;)
And Kateiebabs: I think the restraint shown throughout the movie just gives it so much more impact!!
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