Raineypark,
Thanks for your kind remarks! I sometimes worry that I might come across as trying to be a know-it-all, but I guess it comes from having spent six years at two very competitive, cut-throat academic institutions. And actually, I hoped that my thoughts on Ben and Barnabas, which came from my emotions, might balance my more clinical, intellectual dissection in the "tragic genre" post. So, I appreciate your response. Also, since I was laying bare some of my feelings here (and possibly revealing what an oddball I might seem to some!) in this thread.
Regarding "Nicholas Nickleby," I too have the 8-tape set from the Royal Shakespeare Co. production that was produced on Broadway in the early '80s. Though I haven't watched all of it, I always remembered it from its TV broadcast. The more recent production was a BBC film version that aired in England last year and for the first time in the U.S. just a couple of months ago on TNT, I believe it was. This version was beautifully filmed and the actor portraying Smike was especially heartbreaking (not so physically deformed as in the RSC stage version). You could find out more information about it on imdb.com; it's available on video and DVD (through bn.com, among other sites). I highly recommend it!
How great to find another Dickens enthusiast! I'm sure people on this board have had to roll their eyes more than once when I start going on about Dickens time and again ... But the 1897 storyline does have a Dickensian feel, as well as a very brief borrowing from "Nicholas Nickleby", as you may be aware of (which was called to my attention on this forum the last time 1897 ran on SciFi).
Yes, Dickens is a very heartfelt writer, and I've read that in the Victorian age men weren't ashamed to be brought to tears by the emotions he brought to the forefront ...
And I am so impressed with the quality of thought that went into the writing of the DS episodes we are seeing now and throughout so much of the series ... the interweaving of Ben's and Barnabas's relationship throughout several different time periods being just one example of how this show is in a class of its own ...
And then whenever something really cheesey happens (severed arms falling off, etc.), I plant my tongue firmly in cheek and remind myself that I DID refer to 1795 as the "Masterpiece Theatre" segment of the series ...
Loved everyone's comments here ... I learned something!
Vlad