Victoria Review: "The Green Eyed Monster"

After I loved the season premiere of Victoria so much, I was worried that the following episode would be a let down. And while I still prefer the previous episode, I cannot deny that I enjoyed this episode too.

And that is for one reason, and the reason Twitter rejoiced. Lord M (Rufus Sewell) has returned! He was one of my favourite parts of the first season, despite the historical inaccuracies, and while I was worried that his return would be forced, since historically at this point he was no longer Prime Minister, they have implemented it into the plot nicely.

Seeing how Lord M is still able to help Victoria (Jenna Coleman) with some of the most difficult decisions in her marriage is fascinating. Due to her sheltered upbringing, she has little experience in the obstacles of marriage. Her and Albert feel more and more like a real couple, with bumps in the road (some bigger than others! No spoilers don't worry.)

Considering Victoria takes place a century before any idea that could eventually become computers, and as a bit of a tech geek, I found the inventions of engines and early computer programs fascinating. The fact that it stems from a woman, Ada Lovelace, makes it even better. After a bit of research on the real Lady Lovelace, I am a fan. Seeing Albert (Tom Hughes) attempt to push these new advances is welcome in an era grounded in tradition and historical values. Just think, without these ideas, there would be no hub of knowledge and technology that we are so reliant on today.

If I had to give a negative for this episode, I just cannot grasp any interest in the 'below stairs' characters. I understand how the writers are trying to boost interest in them in an attempt to copy Downton Abbey, but it's just not working. Maybe the series needs to run for a bit longer but right not I'm not sure.

And finally, while I like the humour in Victoria, I find Dame Diana Rigg's character (Mistress of the Robes) a little bit tiring at this point. Her one-liners come across as general complaints, from an old woman so desperate to maintain her ways. I love her niece, especially as she is so passionate and intelligent, but the Duchess just ties her back. I frustrates me, as a lover of the passionate female in Victoria literature.

So, good episode as a whole, though not as good as episode 1. And with Lord M returning next week, the series is heading in the right direction!

An Ode to Iris Murdoch

I wanted to write a blog post for today, and I've sat for ages thinking about what I could write the post about. There hasn't been any massive celeb news for me to write (or rant) about. And Victoria is on later so I can review that tomorrow.

And then it hit me. My literary queen! I should write about her! 

For those of you who don't know, my literary queen is Iris Murdoch. The 20th century writer of fictional stories with philosophical ideas about being good, morals, religion, relationships and women (believe me, that list could go on!)

I could write a very long paragraph about why I like her novels, and hows it deeper meanings led me to think very hard about life and why is lived and how one should be good to others. That's kind of true.

But really, it's the romantic element of Murdoch's novels that I love. Some are not even romances and yet I feel the emotions (or 'feels' in Tumblr speak) between characters. A lot of her novels are first person, and it is these ones where I can understand exactly how the characters are feeling. Some of the titular characters have particularly mundane lives, in small country towns, and yet they are still made to be interesting. There are all kinds of relationships in Murdoch novels, some good, some bad, but the good ones are SO GOOD! You feel the passion.

I will add at this point, Murdoch is the not the most morally clean of authors. There are affairs, a bit of incest, and some other stuff as well. But it's all in the best taste it can be! The 20th Century Britishness covering it means you are not cowering or wincing at all.

My favourite, and the first, HAS to be The Bell. A mid-1950s novel set in an Anglican religious residence overlooking an enclosed nunnery. It came across as slightly cult-like at the start, but I warmed to it, and how it can show a woman that decides to leave her husband and how it didn't mean the end of their life. Considering the social stigma of divorce at the time, it's fascinating. I sped through the book in a couple of days, although me and my friend clashed heavily about it! But then, she loved Virginia Woolfe! I wrote a 1000 word essay on the novel in my first year of uni, so I remember it fondly.

And, of course, my third year Special Study at uni was Iris Murdoch. I have this notebook which I used to record the novels I wrote, reviews, notes and general musings. I got a first for engagement, and I still have it. There was a 6000 word essay as well but it killed me a bit!

Murdoch has stayed my favourite author since I first read her novels three years ago. I've read ten of her 26 books so far. I wish there were more adaptations of her work out there, for film etc. to widen the audience. But never mind. She's still great!