Jane Austen's Universe Returns to Masterpiece Classic with Emma

Masterpiece Classic: Emma – Episode 1

Masterpiece Classic re-adapts Jane Austen’s most outspoken anti-marriage heroine, Emma Woodhouse. From the beginning Ms.Woodhouse seems to have a problem with Jane Fairfax who continues to be praised by her aunt and yet unseen by Emma. Ms. Fairfax can speak foreign languages and has read “a hundred titles.” Unimpressed Emma comments that “[she is] to learn Chinese. Could Ms. Fairfax speak Chinese?” In a society that focuses in formality and uncontested societal divides, the conversation takes a sudden sour turn and becomes overwhelmed by silence.

Ms. Woodhouse’s jealousy continues and she claims that she has made a list of “a hundred and one titles” to read. It is quite obvious that her intentions are not so much to read as they are to read more than Ms. Fairfax. Emma admits that she may not be the smartest when it comes to books but when it comes to people she has no equal. She is the world’s matchmaker. And so she sets to make a match of her sister, Isabella, and Mr. Knightley. After their marriage is completed, Emma brags that she knows exactly who to pair up with whom and sets to marry Ms. Taylor so that she becomes Mrs. Weston.

However, she soon realizes that she is alone with her father and he is just not enough company for her. She enlists the help of Harriet Smith, a young girl whose origins and parents are completely unknown and therefore shunned in society, to become her best friend and companion. Shortly thereafter, Emma finds out about Ms. Smith’s feelings for a Mr. Robert Martin; a simple farmer in Emma’s eyes and not up to Ms. Smith’s standards. When Mr. Martin proposes they get married, Emma manipulates Ms. Smith into turning down the proposal for she, Harriet, now has a higher standing in society and a simple farmer will just not do as a husband. John Knightley assures Emma that she has gravely misguided, and to a degree manipulated, Ms. Smith and that Mr. Martin is quite a suitor for a woman whose standing is actually beneath Mr. Martin’s due to the mystery of her birth. They argue and

Emma begins her attempts to pair Harriet with Mr. Elton. Mr. Elton asks that Emma paint Ms. Smith’s figure and admires the painting once it is finished. However, his compliment is to the picture he sees, not the subject. Shortly after Emma and Harriet begin a collection of short poems where Mr. Elton volunteers one of his and hints between the lines at “court” and “ship.” They discuss what he could possibly mean and Emma evokes that it is courtship and that he is quite interested in Ms. Smith. A dinner is to happen and Mr. Elton “[as a bachelor] cannot afford a carriage” so, he cannot attend. Emma’s brother-in-law, Mr. Knightley, invites Mr. Elton to ride with them. Mr. Knightley is convinced that Mr. Elton has feelings for Emma. Emma, on the other hand assures Mr. Knightley; Elton likes Harriet. The dinner comes and Harriet is ill so she cannot attend. Mr. Elton takes this opportunity to come close to, and quite literally, Ms. Woodhouse as he possibly can. Mr. Elton confesses to Emma that he is absolutely not interested in Ms. Smith and “she could die for all [he] cares.” Emma’s astonishment at his words is undeniable. She has committed a terrible mistake and now both her, Ms. Smith, and Mr. Martin are alone and miserable.

Mr. Frank Churchill, the son of Mr. Weston, is to finally returned to visit his father. Emma has heard about him since childhood but never met him and makes mention that he is probably imaginary. Obviously, she is dubious and makes a bet with Mr. Weston that Mr. Chuchill will not appear before her the following day. Mr. Frank Churchill is then introduced.

As Emma tries to cheer up Harriet, she decides to visit Ms. Bates and asks if she has any news of Ms. Fairfax. To Emma’s surprise, and dismay, “No sooner did her letter arrive than she did.” Ms. Fairfax finally makes an appearance before Emma. Ms. Fairfax makes quite an impression with her unpretentious, obedient, and more lady-like manners than Emma demonstrates. Another dinner happens in the patronage and Ms. Fairfax seems to be causing quite a raucus by leaving a lasting impression on everyone, except Emma. The only matter that Emma seems concerned with is that she is trying to find out who sent a grand piano to Ms. Fairfax; Was it the engaged bachelor who saved her life? Mr. Knightley? Mr. Chuchill perhaps? It seems to be only a matter of time before Emma tries to sets up Ms. Fairfax and her Man of Mystery.