The
lowdown: 'Harnessing Peacocks' is based on the novel of
the same name by Mary Wesley, and was first broadcast
on ITV1 on 9 May 1993. The
story begins with a young, pregnant and unmarried Hebe Rutter (Serena Scott
Thomas) leaving
the opulent home of her
wealthy grandparents in disgrace, as she refuses to have an abortion or
to reveal the identity of the
father. Her own parents
died when she was young, and her grandparents showed little respect for
her when she was growing
up, and even less now that
she is pregnant. While her family are debating what to do with her, Hebe
packs a few belongings
and departs on a cold and
wet night. Thirteen years later, Hebe is an independently-minded single
mother who supplements
her income as a high-class
mistress (catering to a select group of wealthy men whom she calls her
"syndicate") by cooking
for wealthy and lonely old
women, and staying with them when her 12-year-old son Silas is away at
boarding school.
Meanwhile, antiques dealer
Jim Huxtable (Peter Davison) is visiting Hebe's neighbour on an errand
to buy some antiques from
her aunt, and is captivated
by Hebe as she walks past. Hebe reminds him of a woman from his past, and
he makes enquiries
about her from his colleague,
Bernard Quigley (John Mills), a lifelong bachelor who confirms that Hebe
is a prostitute, but says
she is also an angel. Jim
comes to the aid of Silas when he comes home early from a fishing holiday
with the family of a school
friend and finds that Hebe
is away. Bernard agrees to allow Silas to stay with him until Hebe can
be found, and Jim reveals the
tragic story of his one
great love. He had met a beautiful blonde woman during a fiesta in Italy
some 13 years earlier, but after
a one-night stand they became
separated and Jim never saw her again. Jim has been looking for this mysterious
woman ever
since, and realises that
not only has he found her but that Silas is his son. Hebe gives up her
syndicate of "peacocks" after Jim
professes his love for her,
and she decides to build a new life for herself with him.
The
verdict:
'Harnessing Peacocks' is a highly-enjoyable romantic drama which will particularly
appeal to views who like this
style of television. Its
lack of swearing and violence makes it suitable for all but the youngest
of viewers, and while there are a
few scenes with some rather
intimate moments (to be expected given that Hebe is a prostitute), they
tend to be understated
and are not really a central
element of the story. Peter Davison and Serena Scott Thomas are excellent
in the lead roles, but
John Mills is superb as
usual.
Video clips:
Jim Huxtable 6.1mb
The truth about Silas
4.4mb Jim
and Hebe 7.7mb |
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