Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Around the World In 80 Days (PBS Masterpiece)

Episode 5 Hong Kong


 

When Fogg stops at a British bank in Hong Kong to secure more funds from his personal account, he is refused any monies as the dastardly Kneedling has gotten there ahead of him and persuaded them Fogg is  a criminal.

Passepartout, who has lived in Hong Kong in the past, finds them a modest place to stay while they try to figure out how to proceed. 

Meanwhile,  Abigail's newspaper article about Fogg's lovelorn reason for making the trip has made it to Hong Kong. The governor's wife, coming upon him in the market, invites them all to her home.  Fogg suspects nothing, as he hasn't seen the article. 

Passepartout goes to an old acquaintance for money, hoping his old friend will loan him the funds.  Instead, his friend asks Passepartout to do what he used to do well, steal a White Dragon necklace from the governor's wife.  Passepartout refuses at first, but as night falls, he emerges from under the bed as the governor and his wife are sleeping, and steals the necklace.

The next day, Fogg is charged with the theft by the angry governor, and imprisoned.  Here Fogg is impressively brave, keeping silent and seemingly undaunted by his situation, even when he's told he will be put to the lash.  Passepartout confesses to the crime and Fogg receives just one lash, as Abigail and Passepartout bring a pardon to the prison signed by the governor at his wife's insistence.

Episode 6  The Desert Island



Kneedling isn't happy with the continued progress of Fogg and company, so he pays the captain of the ship now heading to America that Fogg is on, to drop Fogg, Abigail, and Passepartout out to sea in a small boat with only a tankard of water.

Stranded on a desert island together, everything comes out. 

Abigail is regretful that she posted the article, exposing Fogg's private grief.

Passepartout confesses he poisoned Fogg to slow him down when pesuaded by Kneedling.  He confesses he stole the White Dragon to get them money to leave Hong Kong.

Fogg is angry at Abigail, but inflamed at Passepartout's treacheries.  He draws a line on the beach and says he will not speak to Passepartout, ever, and that he must not cross the line.

Passepartout camps nearby, cooking lobster which Abigail shares, but Fogg will not. Passepartout refuses to accept Fogg's exile of him, and insists they are friends, though he regrets what he has done.  He is absolutely heartrending.

Still Fogg ignores him, and he decides he will build a raft, to get he and Abigail off the island. Gathering a motley assembly of driftwood from along the beach, he hasn't a way to cut the wood or tie it together.

Retiring for the night, Fogg and Abigail are unaware Passepartout works through the night in the rain and storm, gathering vines to hold the raft together.  He even manages a sail before succumbing to the rain and cold.

The next morning, Fogg and Abigail are amazed at the craft and begin packing it with supplies. Abigail finds Passepartout lying unconscious and feverish, and brings him back to camp.  She reminds Fogg that they've both ill treated Passepartout, and he's done tremendous things for them.

The raft, which could never have been seaworthy, is taken apart to make a fire to keep Passepartout warm and break his fever.

Fogg confesses that the two of them are the first people he has cared about in a very long time.  

A ship sees their smoke and rescues them, and will get them to America in good time.

Strong performances by everyone.

 


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