Watching TV in great big gulps...

[neotoma]

So, I'm watching Sharpe's Regiment (thank you, Netflix), mainly because I moved to New Mexico when the series was airing on PBS and I didn't get to see them the first time all the first time round.

And really, all I can think is that Richard Sharpe falls predictably for two types of women: the first category, who last an episode or so, are damsels in distress that he can and does rescue; the second category, rarer but longer lasting, are women who can totally kick his ass. His sergeant actually twits him about his predictablity about women.

It's also fun to watch for the manners displayed -- I'm not an expert on Regency manners by any means -- but it is amsuing how Sharpe tends to be very correct about how to address people (even strange women who drag him home, shag him, and then kick him out the door without ever telling him their name) but the people above him the social ranks just aren't.

His brief foray into shameless street theater in an effort to keep his battalion from being broken up is an effort shameless enough for Miles Vorkosigan. Actually, if Miles ran into a man like Richard Sharpe, the Hegen Hub would be doomed -- Miles would do all the political manuveuring and just point Sharpe in the right direction, end of story. Sharpe's plan to figure out where his missing recruits are by joining the army as a private is rather Milesian, come to think of it...

It was also figuring out that one of the villians is played by the actor who played one of the more memorable roles in the 7th Doctor episode "Ghost Light".

Basically, I'm having fun watching, and will for days, given that there were so many episodes made.

PS I have seen the first disc of House, M. D., and it was wonderful. I have a lot of catching up to do...

PSS I'm still planning on having a marathon of the first Sharpe's episodes sometime in the next month or two. I should have copies of the first five by then...

Comments

[gritkitty.livejournal.com]

I love Sharpe. I think you've pegged his love life accuratly. Have you read the books? They give a more detailed look into the man.

I just started re-watching my Sharpe DVDs (got 'em all, I think). I'll keep my eye out for your posts. Neat stuff to talk about my fav gutter-born bastard.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

I've read most of the books, up through Sharpe's Devil, I think it was. Not any of them when he was in India as a young man, though.

His love life is rather predictable, and it didn't help that the opening montage for the DVD had the theme song with some electronic amping that I swear made it sound like a porn track -- and of course they set if over clips from of Sharpe with several different of his women. *Vidders* aren't that unsubtle.

Well, I'm hoping to get Sharpe's Revenge soon -- I haven't actually seen any of the ones with Lucille, but it is *so* in keeping with his history for Sharpe to fall in love with a woman who shoots him at their first meeting. And you know, there's Alexis Denisoff playing Rossendale to look forward to, too.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Also, it was hilariously mean of Sharpe and Harper to set the pace for the recruits with the Rifleman's jog. There was such a lot of mischeif that they got into while staying strictly within what they could get away with. Makes me think that Sharpe was a trial as an NCO.

And the confrontation with Girdwood was a wonder -- the moment Sharpe stepped into the room I was squeeking with glee.