Dracula — Episode 1 — The Rules of the Beast — A Review

3rd January, 2020

OK … 

It’s a Friday night.

You’ve possibly noticed that, haven’t you … ?

It’s a Friday night … where I’m indoors … and thinking there’s something I could be watching on TV.

There’s plenty, certainly.

But nothing that caught my eye.

However?

Something did catch my eye.

Yes: the Moffat and Gatiss cut of Dracula.

I fancied something … grim … 

~≈¥≈~

Episode 1 — The Rules of the Beast — introduces us to Jonathan Harker (John Heffernan): an English lawyer telling a nun, Sister Agatha, of how he arrived in Transylvia … to negotiate a land deal with the mysterious Count Dracula (Claes Bang).

Becoming more concerned the younger the count gets.

And the more he sees of the castle.

The less he likes it.

It’s only when Jonathan finds a secret passage to one of the less frequented parts of Castle Dracula … ?

That he realises that that yes … 

The place isn’t as uninhabited as the Count claims … 

~≈¥≈~

Now … 

Have I enjoyed this first episode?

Was it good?

Yes: I have, actually.

Although, to be frank?

This first episode could have done with being a little shorter.

I gather that each episode of Dracula is about the same length: Gatiss and Moffat are repeating the basic format of their earlier Sherlock series.

That worked well enough, there, I felt: where each episode was exactly that, a separate episode.

Quite how that ninety minute length will work, I don’t know: but I suspect six forty-five minute episodes may have worked out better.

Because this did seem like two episode put together: and that episodes two and three may well be the same.

On the up side?

On the upside the writing is good: and the acting, superb.

With plaudits going to both Claes Bang as the Count, and to Dolly Wells as Sister Agatha van Helsing.

Actually?   Ms Wells has the part cornered, I think: playing this generation’s van Helsing as a much a scientist as a vampire hunter.

Concerned with an interesting research subject, as with a problem that needs solving.

She’s rolled over a log — Jonathan Harker — and found an really interesting woodworm …

Given that?   I’m looking forward to the next two episodes.

As overlong as they may be, I’m intrigued enough to want to keep watching.