OK, so Flip has tld me that as I provided the initial inspiration for this Nicola related community, I should darned well post on it! So here I am! And as I have no technical ability to produce wallpapers or icons, I hereby present part one of my mini-reviews on "Chalk" (with of course I bias to Nicola / Suzy related moments):
Chalk – The Reviews – Series One
Episode 1 – God Sees All
A manic start to the series in which David Bamber is perhaps trying too hard, giving a very theatrical performance as the deranged Eric Slatt. The plot – involving a teacher dying on the premises and attempts to keep it hidden – is rather derivative given that “Fawlty Towers” has done this before. Nicola is lovely however as Suzy – the short skirt, black tights and sensible shoes combination suits her well – although leads to the mistaken assumption that she’s a pupil. It’s fun to watch her running about entering into the spirit of the piece as the farcical situation develops. She susses out Dan rather quickly – but would she start the put-downs so early after meeting him? John Wells was amusingly dotty as the Headmaster.
Episode 2 – Welcome to Your Worst Nightmare
A tour de force performance in this one from David Bamber, as Eric Slatt careers through ever more embarrassing situations while being interviewed for a new Headship, culminating in his desperate impersonation of a female art teacher in order to fool one of the interviewers (who happens to be blind). John Wells was again agreeably dotty, particularly after indulging in a spot of cannabis with the sixth form. Great stuff from Nicola as Suzy – although just the slight bit cruel I thought when sabotaging Slatt’s interview via the radio mike. We had some violent Suzy too – flooring Mr Humbolt when being told the truth about Slatt’s blackmail. Surprise guest turns from familiar character actors Paul Brooke and Milton Johns, which I suppose demonstrates the level of support the BBC was giving the show at this point.
Episode 3 – Down with Fallatio!
An odd episode this – Janet’s rather cruel and why doesn’t Eric Slatt simply go and relieve himself when he has the chance! However, plenty to love about this episode – Dan’s imaginary country Estranzia, complete with its own geography and language, and Suzy’s outrage at the names of some of its attractions – “Mount Suzy! Right next to Nice Idea!!!” Miss Tripley was particularly hilarious in this episode, responding to her office phone ringing “Oh! I always knew it could do that!” and later being made to stand in the corner for supreme stupidity. And even asleep Mr Carkdale’s vocabulary consists only of swear words.
Episode 4 – Pump-Man
A fun episode this, as the arrival of the perpetually bewildered RE teacher Mr Cockfoster sees the beginning of Suzy’s unraveling (explored much more in the second series) – all confidence gone, her tongue tied in knots and digging herself into holes worthy of Eric Slatt, ending with “Bollocks!” Away from Mr Cockfoster though she is still very much the only sane member of the staff, while Eric Slatt digs himself into another hole over a besotted pupil’s scrapbook – ending up stranded in a crowded classroom without his trousers. Suzy great in the last scene, in response to Slatt’s desperate “I’m not really Pump-Man” – squinting at his nether regions with the line “No. You’re not, are you…”
Episode 5 – Student Blindness
An excellent episode, showcasing Eric Slatt and his desperate attempt to cover up from a team of school inspectors that there are no pupils in the school. Miss Tripley hilarious describing how she “fired” all the pupils, shooing them out of the school grounds and even making the big ones carry the small ones. Suzy superb in this episode though, reacting to being asked to pretend to be “all the pupils” (it’s that blouse, short skirt and tights combination again!) with the remark “Is it about my thighs?” And it’s Suzy who effectively saves the day by convincing one of the inspectors he is suffering from “student blindness”, and who mans the record player with a recording of kids’ voices to make the inspectors think the school is full – crawling away from the player when the curtains are opened to reveal an empty hall.
Episode 6 – No More Mr Loser-Pants
Patchy episode with great moments. David Bamber does go overboard somewhat with his performance, preparing for the staff-pupil football match. And Eric’s mother and wife (played by the same actress!) do seem unnecessarily cruel – it’s no wonder the man is close to breakdown. Miss Tripley is superb though, getting worked up over all the bare knees, and going to her own “naughty cupboard” when receiving a telling-off. A turning point for Suzy, as all the madness seems to be finally getting to her – although she can’t make herself “walk away”. Great final scene too, with an “aged up” Nicola playing the future Suzy, and that portrait of the destroyed Slatt, surrounded by his six identical sextuplets, all identical to his wife.
Series two soon!
hungry
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