Love historical period dramas, the cast seemed promising and Philippa Gregory's books do entertain and intrigue even with the creative licenses. This particular period of history is a fascinating one (am not an expert on it, when younger the period that most sparked my interest was the Tudors, but there is a lot to be fascinated by) and has enough to it to deserve a series based upon it.
'The White Queen' is an uneven series with some fairly big things that work against it. It is not hard to see why it won't click, and hasn't clicked, with some, and no the historical inaccuracies (a great many and some do pose a detriment to some of the drama and characterisation where it doesn't always ring true) does play a factor but is only part of why it's polarising. 'The White Queen' however for me was a well-made and interesting series with a good deal of good qualities, so can definitely see both sides of the argument.
It doesn't start off particularly promisingly. The first two episodes do have good points but were also pretty ropy, being dull and soap-operatic. It was in these episodes where characterisation could be particularly sketchy and one-sided, there was a sense early on where it felt there were too many characters and it was not always easy to tell who was who at first, and where the writing was most stilted and anachronistic.
The writing throughout did have a tendency to be rather too melodramatic and soapy, but the first two episodes in particular where it would feel more in place in a modern soap opera but felt odd here. Some parts felt awkward and gimmicky and not all the acting works. Didn't think that much of David Oakes and James Frain, whose characters came over as overdone, hammy caricatures rather than compellingly real. Amanda Hale fares worst, her over-acting is enough to make one's jaw drop to the floor in shock and unintentional amusement.
However, 'The White Queen' does look great. It's beautifully shot throughout, the scenery and production design take the breath away and the costumes, regardless of questions of authenticity in details, are suitably sumptuous. The music is beautifully haunting and has a character and presence while being subtle enough to not be intrusive. The main theme is memorable.
Although the writing is far from perfect, there are entertaining and intriguing moments as well as thought-provoking and poignant ones. After a patchy start, 'The White Queen's' storytelling becomes richer, layered and clearer and the same goes for enough of the writing of the characters and the deeper relationships between them. Things get better paced too where it feels more eventful and goes at a relentless but not rushed pace.
With a few obvious exceptions, the acting is good. Faye Marsay and Rebecca Ferguson are very touching, while Anneurin Barnard and Max Irons are good fits for their characters. In support, Caroline Goodall, Michael Maloney and particularly Janet McTeer are the standouts.
Concluding, uneven but interesting and gets better if stuck with. 7/10 Bethany Cox
'The White Queen' is an uneven series with some fairly big things that work against it. It is not hard to see why it won't click, and hasn't clicked, with some, and no the historical inaccuracies (a great many and some do pose a detriment to some of the drama and characterisation where it doesn't always ring true) does play a factor but is only part of why it's polarising. 'The White Queen' however for me was a well-made and interesting series with a good deal of good qualities, so can definitely see both sides of the argument.
It doesn't start off particularly promisingly. The first two episodes do have good points but were also pretty ropy, being dull and soap-operatic. It was in these episodes where characterisation could be particularly sketchy and one-sided, there was a sense early on where it felt there were too many characters and it was not always easy to tell who was who at first, and where the writing was most stilted and anachronistic.
The writing throughout did have a tendency to be rather too melodramatic and soapy, but the first two episodes in particular where it would feel more in place in a modern soap opera but felt odd here. Some parts felt awkward and gimmicky and not all the acting works. Didn't think that much of David Oakes and James Frain, whose characters came over as overdone, hammy caricatures rather than compellingly real. Amanda Hale fares worst, her over-acting is enough to make one's jaw drop to the floor in shock and unintentional amusement.
However, 'The White Queen' does look great. It's beautifully shot throughout, the scenery and production design take the breath away and the costumes, regardless of questions of authenticity in details, are suitably sumptuous. The music is beautifully haunting and has a character and presence while being subtle enough to not be intrusive. The main theme is memorable.
Although the writing is far from perfect, there are entertaining and intriguing moments as well as thought-provoking and poignant ones. After a patchy start, 'The White Queen's' storytelling becomes richer, layered and clearer and the same goes for enough of the writing of the characters and the deeper relationships between them. Things get better paced too where it feels more eventful and goes at a relentless but not rushed pace.
With a few obvious exceptions, the acting is good. Faye Marsay and Rebecca Ferguson are very touching, while Anneurin Barnard and Max Irons are good fits for their characters. In support, Caroline Goodall, Michael Maloney and particularly Janet McTeer are the standouts.
Concluding, uneven but interesting and gets better if stuck with. 7/10 Bethany Cox