The Cazalets

The Cazalets is a five part mini-series about a fictional family around the time of WWII, and kind of a strange brew of soap opera, dark comedy and historical drama, in that order. Toss in a bunch of grandchildren, a pinch of abortion, pacifism, incest, Hitler, extramarital sex, Socialist propaganda, cancer, and everything but the kitchen sink. It looks great, but too many ingredients can spoil the broth and cause it to become unfocused.

I'm still not sure who Christopher is, but here's a quick overview -

William Cazalet - senile patriarch who founded the family lumber business. He now wants to devote more time to his book "Woods of the World" before going completely batshit.

Out of three sons and one daughter, only Edward (Dillane) and Hugh work in the company. Hugh is a solid straight-arrow and Ed delivers the wood to anything in a skirt. His wife Villy doesn't have a clue because her husband is so good at acting and thinks fast on his feet.

I thoroughly enjoyed him as a degenerate scumbag, but be warned, Stephen's character is SO repulsive that even his most ardent fan will be hard pressed to find any redeeming qualities. Is it wrong, though, to point out how good he looks in uniform?

The youngest son Rupert is an artiste who refuses to join the firm, much to the chagrin of new wife Zoe. Rachel is a chaste lesbian who, unlike her brother, prefers to cuddle rather than go downtown with her frustrated lover Sid.

Dillane makes it all worthwhile, but as a whole I thought it a bit superficial and meandering. The lack of focus and momentum diminished anticipation about what would happen next, and by the way, the ending SUCKED.

It sounded great however, and the catchy theme "The Very Thought of You" is now lodged in my brain like an assassin's bullet.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I liked seeing Zoe become a woman of substance, from the self-absorbed girl she once was, but other things seemed pointless or were left hanging.

Edward, who even tries to seduce his own daughter more than once, hadn't grown, but he never suffered any consequences for his actions. Why Louise had him walk her down the aisle at her wedding is beyond me. When she has children later on, wouldn't overnights at grandpa's become problematic?

I also found her shock at seeing him out with another woman very odd, considering. I mean, come on... once Dad plies you with liquor, sticks his tongue down your throat and fondles your tits, would him dating other women really be that surprising? I would encourage his dating in hopes he leave the family, but that's just me.

When he tries tappin' it again, just as she was beginning to trust him a bit, she then angrily accuses him of being a "liar". No doubt about that, but let's not go overboard here. Preying on your innocent children for deviant sexual gratification requires some lying, so it's just piling-on. Focus, Louise. Focus.

Edward takes his daughter out for her birthday.	"Here, drink up, Louisa."
	"Stop it! What are you doing?"
"You disgust me!" "Yeah well, don't tell mum."	Next morning, the picture of innocence.  I swear  Dillane must be some kind of wizard.
He almost gets busted with his girlfriend by his wife Villy, but this guy is slick.
	"I'll tuck you in sweeheart."
"I got carried away. It won't happen again.."	"You like feeling women's breasts, Dad?  I saw you that night at the play out with another woman!" See, this is what I don't get.  Her own father has just tried to f**k her (again!)  and she's still more fixated  on his date.   WHO CARES, at least it wasn't his sister!

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