I recently got round to watching the BBC series and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great screenplay, well-drawn characters and some nice sets too. The episodes also reminded me of another series I really enjoyed watching a while ago, and both shows have a central character with a fairly unique view of the world around them, even though the ‘a’ word isn’t used specifically used in the Jane Austen retelling.
(A whale – upside down?- and a book. In abstract style, of course)
Late 17th century London and 21st century Seoul. Fairly different vibes, it’s fair to say. Yet Mary Bennet and Woo Young-woo, besides the obvious time and language differences, share a similarity that’s rare on the TV screen, particularly when it comes to female characters. It’s never spelled out in The Other Bennet Sister (which makes sense, because the concept of autism clearly wouldn’t have been understood in the same form as it is today), although it’s a key plot point in Extraordinary Attorney Woo. There’s just something so unabashedly engaging and refreshing about the way each central character is portrayed. Each has their central interest (Mary? Books. Woo? Whales. Of course), and neither is afraid to talk about their interest at length, even to the apparent detriment of others as some lose interest and stop listening.
Part of the reason I loved both characters was just that they were so optimistic and happy. Each show just drips with optimism. Sure, there are social obstacles to overcome, but that’s part of the narrative. And with such strong screenplays, it’s impossible not to get interested and root for the gals, especially when it comes to the bad folks. Ruth Jones’ Mrs Bennet is almost pantomimic in her pettiness and cruelty towards Mary, but it works because of the almost fantastical element at play. We’re clearly not looking at any darker realities, but neither are we letting Mary or Woo descend into any kind of cheesy behaviour that highlights their autism and inability to read situations as ‘quirky’ in the way that some American shows tend to do. We root for the characters all the time. When Mr Ryder keeps trying to fight for Mary’s affections over Mr Haywood? Nah, none of that shit. Get away, Ryder. When Woo extracts evidence for a case in every minute detail, you’re rooting for a big W and for the subsequent approval of sceptical colleagues as well. You want these women to succeed. You want Woo’s whale appreciation and lawyer skills to be appreciated by the rest of the team, the same way you want Mary to gain freedom from her domineering mother and doubtful peers.
(Book)
As a woman who has a few special interests herself (*COUGH*RyanGoslingAnimal CrossingJumpsuitsToNameJustAFew*COUGH*), it’s also nice to see other women screen just enjoying what they’re enjoying and making no apologies for it, no matter how nerdy and specific their pursuits may be. While I tend to be a fan of darker and depressing stuff when it comes to a lot of films or TV series, it’s always nice to find something that just makes you feel good. The plot doesn’t need to be particularly complicated (I love you Inception, but you’re rather complicated. You can’t deny that), you just need a likeable lead and supporting characters alongside an intelligent screenplay. Then you’ve got yourself something special.
(Whale. BIG WHALE.)