As the first episode of Great Expectations begins, Pip puts a rope around his neck and jumps off a bridge in London in 1839. He jumps. Then, the show jumps back seven years earlier. A young Pip (Tom Sweet) works with Joe (Owen McDonnell) in Gravesend. When Joe says he is always mumbling to himself, Pip says it is Shakespeare. Joe thinks Pip will take over the blacksmith at some point before Sara (Hayley Squires) yells for them to come. Sara threatens to lock the door if Pip doesn’t come on. On the prison ship HMS Retribution, Compeyson (Trystan Gravelle) and Magwitch (Johnny Harris) talk to a guard about the scratching sounds.

Compeyson blames rats while Magwitch says he is the rat. Magwitch goes on to call Compeyson his mortal enemy before talking about how he’d like to kill him. Compeyson starts a fire and begins screaming for help. During the chaos, Compeyson attacks a guard while Magwitch yells for him to open the door. Compeyson taunts him before leaving. Magwitch manages to escape as well. He swims to shore. When Pip makes it home, Sara reminds him to take his boots off. He brings home some decorations for Christmas. Sara throws them away and says the berries aren’t even Christian. She complains about him using long words and says it is the books they’re giving him in school.

She isn’t happy to learn he only saved seven nails because it isn’t a good deal for herself and Joe. Sara believes they would sit around idle all day if it wasn’t for her harsh words. They hear a noise outside telling them that one of the prisoners has escaped. The guards search for the prisoners outside. Joe talks to the others about a convict coming all the way up there. Pip says he needs to go see mom and dad, but Joe isn’t sure that is a good idea with the cannons barking. Sara says it isn’t wise so he’ll stay indoors. Pip has decided he is going to see his parents anyway. Sara threatens to whip him if he goes. Once Pip goes upstairs, Joe tells Sara that the boy will be gone if she beats him again.

Sarah believes the devil will come because Pip brought red berries into the house. Pip sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night. He goes to his parent’s graves to speak to them. Pip mentions that his heart wants freedom. He is attacked by Magwitch from behind. He wants food. When Magwitch chews a nail, he learns about Pip working in a blacksmith’s shop. Magwitch wants Pip to bring him food and drink at first light. He also wants tools to help him free himself from the shackles. In the morning, Magwitch waits on him and hopes Pip won’t let him down. Pip tries to steal the items from the house. He escapes with everything without Sara finding out. Pip takes the stuff to Magwitch.

Magwitch asks him to cut his shackles while he is eating. Pip asks why he wants to kill the other one. Magwitch believes he’ll learn when he grows. When they hear the guards coming, Magwitch tells Pip to go. As Pip walks back, he is confronted by Compeyson who thinks he heard Magwitch’s voice nearby. He admits he left him for dead on the boat so he asks if he is still shackled. Pip pretends not to know what he is talking about. He manages to run away when Compeyson tries to attack him. Pip makes it to the church where Joe asks where the heck he has been. He claims he went to see mom and dad. He also brought a gift to say sorry to Sara. Back at home, they get a visit from Mr. Pumblechook (Matt Berry) and Mr. Wopsle (Tim Key).

Sara tells them what she made before asking Pip to get rosemary from the garden. Pip becomes concerned because she was going to serve the food he stole. Outside, Pip is approached by Biddy (Bronte Carmichael) who hates Christmas. Pip hates this Christmas because he is a condemned man. He says he’d run if he had money. Sara comes out to tell him to move on. As the others eat, Sara wonders why Pip isn’t. Pumblechook tells them about Miss Havisham (Olivia Coleman) who adopted a daughter 13 years ago. Now, she has decided that this girl needs company and Pumblechook believes Pip is a good choice. Havisham will pay the boy’s parents and the go-between. Guards interrupt to say they’re searching for prisoners and need able-bodied men.

Joe tells Pip to stay close to him. He also says he isn’t going to let Sara take him. Pip tries to tell him something. As they spread out and begin searching, Magwitch attacks Compeyson. Pip tells Joe that he doesn’t want to take over the blacksmith’s shop. The prisoners are arrested before one of them can be killed. The guards demand to know how Magwitch got free of his leg irons. Magwitch lies and says he broke into a blacksmith’s shop last night. Later, Pip approaches Biddy to ask if she remembers when they used to compete to see who could collect the most kindling for the fire. She claims she is happy for him although it doesn’t look like it.

Pip says it is a financial arrangement and he’ll give most of it to Joe so he can retire. Then, he wants to get a job and become someone resembling a gentleman. Biddy tells him that he is completely blind. Pip leaves with Pumblechook later. He tells Pip not to let them down since he sold him as a genius. Pumblechook has never laid eyes on Havisham because she conducts business through Mr. Jaggers (Ashley Thomas). Estella (Chloe Lea) comes out to see Pip. He goes inside with her. She tells Pip that they don’t have ghosts here because ghosts would be afraid to come. Pip is left to introduce himself to Miss Havisham. She says she touches her broken heart. After Pip says he is there to be company for a girl, Havisham says she remembers her desire for company.

She sometimes has sick fantasies about what she wants. Pip is ordered to call Estella who welcomes him to eternal winter. Havisham says innocent moments before the great corruption. She asks them what they think of each other. Estella thinks he smells like a stable. Pip thinks she is proud and pretty. Havisham wants to watch them play.

 

Great Expectations Review

Great Expectations has such a rich history since the story has been retold so many times before. As a result, there will be a lot of comparisons between this and other adaptations of the unforgettable Charles Dickens novel. Unfortunately, the first episode didn’t do much to inspire confidence that this will rank near the top of the list. The story feels dry and the dialogue often seems odd.

The series is trying to be too modern to the point that it nearly removes everything that made the story great. The camera never stops shaking and there are several serious casting issues that make the story a bit unbelievable. In particular, Pip is far too old even though the actor does okay with the role. The actress selected for young Estella didn’t hit the target either, but Shalom Brune-Franklin may do better as an adult Estella.

Even Olivia Coleman’s Miss Havisham came across as bland so it could be the emotionless script. Truthfully, there just wasn’t enough here to make me care about any of it. That may change in future episodes and some viewers may be driven to continue by their familiarity with the story. Another episode may be needed for this to really get going, but it’d be hard to criticize anyone who refuses to invest any more time into it.

The first episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of Great Expectations can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent website here. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery at this link.