The Bicks Pod
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Episode 15 - The Hollow Crown Season 2
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
If you've trudged through the first History Tetralogy alongside us, you'll be wondering if there's any real opportunity to redeem the Henry VI plays and their obtuse combination of too many characters, complete lack of linear time, and wandering focus. Thankfully the BBC and a very talented set of actors, writers, directors, and producers have answered that wondering with a resounding yes. Join us for our examination of The second season of the Hollow Crown, which condenses the Henry VI plays down into two two-hour dramas that manage to focus the plot, cut the extra characters, and weave a better story out of Shakespeare's original text.
Notes:
Production Cost - there's at least a mention of the first season costing approximately 9 million pounds (approximately $11.6 million USD as of writing, but much more before the pound started sinking these past few years). This is particularly impressive given the level of the cast that was assembled for the show, as well as the extremely high production value we remark on in the course of this episode.
Marriage Counselling - this episode we looked at what we would have brought back from the original Shakespeare, that the Hollow Crown left out. In doing so we also pick out a few of the weaker items from the TV series that could have made way for pieces of the Shakespearean play.
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Episode 14 - Richard III
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
This episode brings us to the conclusion of the Wars of the Roses, and to the emergence of Shakespeare's first great villain, the short-reigning English king, Richard III. Long a fan and public favourite of the Bard's, this play is noteworthy for a number of reasons, including its continued relevance in the world's varied political realms. Join us for a discussion of the characters, the story, and the political interpretations of one of England's most reviled monarchs, and one of Shakespeare's most engaging characters.
Marriage Counselling:
This episode's marriage counsel debate revolved around which modern politician most resembles Richard III. If you've ever wanted to hear us slag two conservative politicians from North America, this is the debate for you.
Extra notes:
A quick search reveals that no one has, as of yet, trademarked the term "Tragic Anti-Hero" so maybe Lindsay can corner the market and open a new front of Richardian discourse
"Is Stephen Harper a hologram?" by Rick Mercer, covering the 2011 Canadian election: https://www.macleans.ca/general/is-stephen-harper-a-hologram/