Jolie RobersonMy Thoughts on NBC's Crusoe
October 19th 2008 00:49
First off, I'm honestly surprised it took one of the networks this long to bring an Age of Sail piece to broadcast, given all of the Pirates hype we've been going through over the past few years. Ever since Pirates of the Caribbean hit theaters, as well as its sequels, I've been expecting more and more swashbuckling shows to hit the air, yet none really have, until now.
Crusoe is based on the classic novel of a man stranded on an island with a islander companion, however the tale has been modernized in many aspects and gives a healthy nod toward pulp and swashbuckler sources. Much of our hero's early life is shown via flashbacks, which include the talented Sam Neil as Blackthorn and Sean Bean as Crusoe's widower father. One thing I would say is that the cast screams mini series or movie, as the caliber is that good.
One key component of this rendition of the classic tale is an understanding of the fraternal relationship of Robin and Friday, as it is not a master/servant relationship, as one would think from the era, but more akin to blood brothers and comrades. Robinson respects Friday, as we learn from his constant correction when anyone refers to Friday as a savage. Also, the level of teamwork that they have shows of two people who are, for lack of a better word, thrust together and stuck on an island. These men are friends, tried by blood and battle, and that sort of comradere plays well with the two actors, Philip Winchester as Robinson Crusoe and Tongayi Chirisa as Friday. Both men play off of one and other quite well.
One thing that is obvious from the start of the show, which was a two hour premier pushed heavily by NBC, is that we're in a setting that is closer to the swashbuckling antics of Pirates of the Caribbean than it is of historical dramas, such as Master and Commander. The is prodigious usage of unique architecture, complex rope and pulley systems, and wondrous thought and invention. It is this usage of sets that not only establish the island as the main setting for Crusoe's life, but also explains a lot of how his time on the island has been spent, as well as his worries and preparations for the unexpected.
Whether Robinson makes it off of the island, returning home to his wife and family, is only part of the story, as we also have pirates, cannibals, and other dangerous of the isolated island in the Pacific to worry about.
My advise is that if you like hearty adventure, swashbuckling action, and romance of the age of sail, then you could definitely do worse than Crusoe. Now, my hope, is whether or not it survives the new series life expectancy.
Crusoe is based on the classic novel of a man stranded on an island with a islander companion, however the tale has been modernized in many aspects and gives a healthy nod toward pulp and swashbuckler sources. Much of our hero's early life is shown via flashbacks, which include the talented Sam Neil as Blackthorn and Sean Bean as Crusoe's widower father. One thing I would say is that the cast screams mini series or movie, as the caliber is that good.
One key component of this rendition of the classic tale is an understanding of the fraternal relationship of Robin and Friday, as it is not a master/servant relationship, as one would think from the era, but more akin to blood brothers and comrades. Robinson respects Friday, as we learn from his constant correction when anyone refers to Friday as a savage. Also, the level of teamwork that they have shows of two people who are, for lack of a better word, thrust together and stuck on an island. These men are friends, tried by blood and battle, and that sort of comradere plays well with the two actors, Philip Winchester as Robinson Crusoe and Tongayi Chirisa as Friday. Both men play off of one and other quite well.
One thing that is obvious from the start of the show, which was a two hour premier pushed heavily by NBC, is that we're in a setting that is closer to the swashbuckling antics of Pirates of the Caribbean than it is of historical dramas, such as Master and Commander. The is prodigious usage of unique architecture, complex rope and pulley systems, and wondrous thought and invention. It is this usage of sets that not only establish the island as the main setting for Crusoe's life, but also explains a lot of how his time on the island has been spent, as well as his worries and preparations for the unexpected.
Whether Robinson makes it off of the island, returning home to his wife and family, is only part of the story, as we also have pirates, cannibals, and other dangerous of the isolated island in the Pacific to worry about.
My advise is that if you like hearty adventure, swashbuckling action, and romance of the age of sail, then you could definitely do worse than Crusoe. Now, my hope, is whether or not it survives the new series life expectancy.
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