My Lady Jane
The Princess Bride is my favorite film of all time. Yes, there are other contenders; Clue, Vertigo, L.A. Confidential, but when it comes down to it, there really is no choice, it's The Princess Bride. It has been since the moment I first watched it during the summer of 1988 heatwave while I hide from the sun in my bedroom with all the shades drawn and watched movies all day. Therefore when something is recommended to fans of The Princess Bride as being "like" it I am wary. I mean, first, how can you match perfection? Second, I do not think you mean what you think you mean. But I will forgive everyone who labeled My Lady Jane as like The Princess Bride for the simple fact that for the first time ever I agree. And not just because they totally recreate the scene when Fezzik catches Princess Buttercup when she jumps out the window. Because honestly that didn't quite work, but it was a clever idea. The two are obviously greatly different, one dealing with the real history of Lady Jane Grey warped and the other being more Ruritanian romance than anything else, but the same vein of humor and heart runs through both. I first heard of My Lady Jane because it was part of a YA subscription box I got. Here's the thing about me and subscription boxes... We're not the best match. I like to curate my reading for long periods of time in advance so just having a random book show up is cool, but I can guarantee you it will be years before I read it. So it wasn't on my radar. In fact, like many people bemoaned when it was unjustly cancelled, they had no idea that My Lady Jane had become a series. I thankfully was not in the dark because I follow Rob Brydon on social media. In fact before I looked into who else starred in this show I knew I was going to watch it because Rob Brydon is in it. It's Rob Brydon in Tudor England, how could I not? He has a codpiece. And there are many codpiece jokes. So if that alone doesn't sell you, I'm sorry I don't think we can be friends. Throw in Anna Chancellor, Jim Broadbent, Dominic Cooper, Kevin Eldon, Edward Bluemel, and the plummy tones of Oliver Chris and I was watching it the night it dropped and paying the extra to watch it ad free. And the first episode was a totally ride, but also eye-opening. While I knew this was an alternative history, I totally didn't know it was also a fantasy, so I was quite shocked when people turned into animals. Yeah, that guy totally turned into a bear in a bar. It's chaotic and classic! But you know what? It worked. Everything about this worked. I mean, it's hard for me to explain things I love. I can detail everything that a show gets wrong, but when a show it right it just sings. I can point to Noel Fielding's horrible show, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, and say that My Lady Jane is actually the show he wanted to make but failed miserably. The jokes were flat, the delivery bad, and it didn't ground itself. Back to My Lady Jane... I usually hate anachronistic music in shows to the point where I'm yelling at the television, and yet, I want the soundtrack for this show. The song choice and humor, damn. Several times I laughed out loud when I realized what was about to play because it fed into my memories and complemented what was happening in the story. "Nights in White Satin" was beyond genius! Then there's the chemistry. Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel should always star together. You were rooting for this princess and her steed, because of course her husband turns into a horse and he married her for her brain. I mean, there's just so many funny moments that turn everything on their head. And yet, somehow it all works, the warped history, everything, it works. But the cherry on the top of the cake is Oliver Chris as the narrator. His unctuouse voice smarmily and knowingly narrating the show gives it that extra connection to The Princess Bride. It's us viewers and how we're reacting as we're watching, commenting on cliffhangers and gasp-worthy moments. We all are Oliver Chris, and he is us, and why am I not getting a second season? I mean, come on. Do have have to get the ghost of Peter Falk to wander into the Amazon offices and subtly mumble, that he had one more thing he had to do, get a second season of My Lady Jane made? Oh, and stop anyone from ever rebooting The Princess Bride. So I guess that's two more things...
This year I feel like I can't adequately describe how awesome television has been. There were so many adaptations that I know I'll just love forever. Yes, I'm looking at you and your steed Lady Jane! I hope we get to ride for another season or seven. There were shows that have been around for a few years and I just got around to them, and there were new shows that took the world by storm. Seriously, did anyone predict how big Shōgun was going to be? Because I sure didn't. Also, I am very grateful that it was renewed for a second season therefore not making me have to choose between their genius and the genius that is Ripley. Andrew Scott, just take all the Emmys. Take them all. You also have my heart you magnificent beast. Also, I can't describe my joy at seeing so many different genres of books adapted; chick lit, historical fiction, historical fantasy, horror, mysteries, middle grade, graphic novels, science fiction, and biography to name a few off the top of my head. And can we talk about the weird niche reinterpretation and continuing of classics? Because Monsieur Spade and The Artful Dodger deserve a special shout out. And second seasons! I've reached the point where I just feel like I'm listing the shows I like... And that could be a long and tedious list to read. So instead, join me in celebrating books that came to the small screen for the rest of the year. I'd be interested to hear which adaptations filled your bookish heart with glee.
