Genna and I started a great analytical conversation last night with the greatest mini-series ever as our topic.
Since so many of us have seen and loved this story, I though I'd open the floor generally for insight and analysis. (I am particularly interested to get the KWhites' take on it since they just finished it last night!)
For those who have yet to see it: SEE IT!! For those who have seen it and are joining the discussion, make sure you clearly label spoilers in the usual manner (ie. police tape, sirens, brass bands, etc.)
SPOILERS BELOW!!!!
ABANDON HOPE YE WHO ENTER INTO THE SPOILERS!!!!
Genna and my discussion thus far has centered around the ambiguous relationship of Bill & Jim. As I told Genna: I think the implication is that Jim had a "crush" on Bill when they were at Oxford and remained devoted to him throughout his Circus career. That being said, I believe the relationship was platonic -- with Jim being the doggedly devoted one and Bill relishing the devotion.
I think this is very important when considered in light of the strong Biblical thread that runs through the screenplay. (Bill & Jim as David and Jonathan? Perhaps that's reaching...) As part of my research into the topic, I'm going to try to discover the source of the Biblical quotation cited by Jim at the end. If memory serves it's a line from the story of Joseph (he of the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.) On a basic level, this reference serves to underscore Jim's betrayal by his "brother" who surrendered him to a foreign power and only barely intervened to "preserve" Jim's life.
Jim is probably my favorite character.
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ReplyDeleteGenesis 41:39 (After Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream).
I think that Bill's attitude toward the betrayal of Jim indicates that it must have been platonic. Had it been otherwise, I do not think their relationship would have lasted so long. In some ways, the friendship (or dependency) with Jim had the potential of being the most honest relationship in Bill's life. But Bill was in the end incapable of normal, honest friendship. Betrayal was so intrinsic to him.