The Forsyte Saga Picspam Part 1
OMG, YOU GUYS!!! I AM IN LOVE WITH SOAMES FORSYTE!!! I DON'T CARE IF HE'S SLIMY, I LOVE HIM!!! First off, I recommend this show to anyone who enjoyed the BBC productions of Pride and Prejudice, North & South, Jane Eyre, and most especially Wives & Daughters. This series pulled me in right away with all the scandal and intrigue and absolute dysfunctionality. I LOVE IT! And of course the socially inept, clueless, and vulnerable Soames Forsyte is my favorite, and not just because he's played by Damian Lewis. This is the kind of character that I am a total sucker for, especially since they make him so utterly pathetic. I've been watching old Damian interviews and everyone always refers to Soames as the villain of the piece, but I don't see that at all. He's the most despicable of them all, I suppose, but what keeps him from being an outright villain is that his motivation is almost always his intense feelings for Irene (I shy away from calling it love, because he commits a horrible act on her, but even after that, my heart still hurts for him, even though I can't really forgive him for what he did. I guess for Soames it is a truly deep love, but he's at such a loss as to how to show it, and then he reaches his breaking point because Irene is so cold to him). But no one in this series is inherently evil, and no one is inherently good either. I think much of my love for Soames is due to Damian's absolutely amazing performance, because honestly, it takes talent to make a character like this completely sympathetic. A lot of it is in his facial expressions, the way he hunches over, his nervous eye movements, his voice. GAH! So awesome. And this character is so magnificently complex. The saddest part is, had Irene tried to love him, he wouldn't have ended up being so awful, and she wouldn't have ended up being so miserable. Everything he did was to try to make her happy, and she just shut him out. I actually ended up detesting Irene, to be honest, because she was so cruel to Soames, and yet she whined and whined about how cruel Soames was. Hmph. Soames was the one who got his heart ripped out. :'( Anyway, I've only seen the first 4 episodes, but SO MUCH happened in those that I'm curious what the last two eps of series 1 contains, and I'm really curious as to how they made an entire second series (I read that series 2 takes place 60 years later). Anyway, Soames is definitely entering a spot on my top 10 list of greatest TV characters ever invented (even though he was originally created in a novel, but... whatever). Since I can't seem to talk about anything containing Damian without a picspam, I bring forth the beautiful creepiness of Soames Forsyte and his crazy family.
I originally planned to summarize all 4 eps in one post, but seeing as how I go crazy with the caps when Damian is involved, I thought it best to just go ep by ep.
It starts by setting up the love story between these two:
Jolyon Forsyte and the governess, Helena, that he employs having crazy mad eye sex. When the wife finds out about said eye sex, she tells Jo to fire Helena, he goes to fire her but ends up making sweet, sweet love to her instead. Then he goes and very emotionlessly tells his wife that he's leaving her (and he does this with Helena at his side). This is important, because it mirrors a future love story, only we don't know that yet. Irony? Jo's father disowns him, which makes him poor, but these two are the only ones that end up living happily. Hmm...
Jolyon Forsyte Sr. This dude is awesome, I love him. And his mutton chops. He starts out just as snooty as the rest of his family, but he eventually gets disillusioned with high society and realizes that money and social superiority isn't the answer to happiness.
Soames Forsyte, squeeeeeeee!!!!! This is him being not interested in the idea of marriage.
A slimy smile for our viewing pleasure, OMG!!!
That one was just too cute to not include. His aunt adored him and basically looked to him for everything (as does most of the family, really).
Soames' sister Freddie, who wants to get married to this douche named Darty. He's a money-grubbing moron who gossips more than old ladies, but we don't know that yet. Anyway, he was counting on Freddie's father to give him a large sum of money upon marrying her, but Soames, our sly old greedy solicitor, advises his father to give him nothing.
Nine years later...
Soames is completely entranced with the alabaster-skinned black haired beauty in the balcony across from him. He's practically having a hard on. He asks his friend to introduce them.
The awkward approach.
The alabaster-skinned beauty who had his heart the second he laid eyes on her. Otherwise known as Irene. She's not too taken with him, to be honest, but at least she's trying.
OMG, HOW CAN SHE NOT WANT TO BE JUMPING HIS BONES RIGHT THEN AND THERE! OMG! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER?
Oh, Soames, you sly dog, having your friend get called away so that you can put the moves on Irene. OMG, I love the non subtle, completely awkward look that he does as his friend walks away.
Dude's in love, and very intensely gazing at her. Okay, so maybe I understand her standoffishness a little bit, I guess he can be kind of creepy.
Money grubbing stepmother of Irene who only sees $$$ when she looks at Soames. They get along splendidly, natch.
Soames awkwardly saying goodbye to Irene. SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!
MORE INTENSE GAZING FROM ACROSS THE ROOM! This is him trying to have eye sex with her.
She notices and tries to oblige, but her heart just isn't in it. Plus, Soames chickens out:
But then he tries again:
JACKPOT!!! Also, slightly creepy smile as his friend tells him where she walks every morning.
Bwahahaha. Okay, so this pic is bad, but pics just won't do his walk justice. It's so incredibly weird and adorable and he carries his cane in front of him, never leans on it. I don't know, it just makes me laugh.
Soames and the step mother doing their thing.
Stepmother: Go ahead, ask her to marry you. $$$$$$$$$$$$
Soames: Yay!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Irene: Do you like art, Mr. Forsyte?
Soames: I do... in it's place.
Irene: ??? Okay... freak.
Soames: Girlfriend, you don't know what you talkin' 'bout.
Irene: Snarky comment that totally tears him down
Soames is amused, despite the fact that he's the butt of her joke. Not quite sure if he even knows that. He's too confident in himself.
Soames: What do you think of this one?
Irene: Blah blah blah colors blah blah dreams blah blah blah beauty
Soames: *dreamy sigh* Would it look good in a hall?
Irene: A hall would disgrace this painting.
Soames: ... ... So does that mean yes?
Then Irene and stepmother talk and Irene basically says that she can't stand him, but stepmother is still all $$$ and doesn't listen, so she invites Soames over to their house.
Soames is waiting to hear Irene confirm the visit.
Soames: Squeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Soames: Oh, by the way, I bought that painting that you like.
Irene: To put in your hall? [/sarcasm]
Soames: ... *is confused as to why she's not jumping for joy at his romanticism*
Remember the guy from the beginning? Jo? He grew a beard. Or a really bushy goatee, whatever you want to call it. And he goes to ask Soames for some money since he and Helena are having a second kid and they need a bigger house.
Soames comes up with some crazy excuse as to why the money can't be released to him, and he's very pleased with himself for being slimy.
Soames watching Irene play the piano.
He's definitely having a hard on this time, complete with heavy breathing.
Him getting the hint from the stepmother that he should propose to Irene.
Lots of awkward fake smiling as he tries to think of what to say.
And what does he come up with? "I make lots of money and I'm in good health." *pats belly* "I have the honor of asking you to be my wife."
He gets the shaft.
Soames: But you're stepmother wants you to marry me.
Irene: I have no doubt of that. Good day, Mr. Forsyte.
Soames: *walks away thinking she'll say yes in a few days, then invites her to London*
He sees Irene dancing, and it's totally inappropriate since she's still in mourning over the loss of her father. But the inappropriateness majorly turns him on and he throws caution to the wind, just this once.
Now, see, in picture form that looks romantic right there, but in the show, he leans in entirely too close and just stays that way for a second and yes, it's completely creepy.
One of the few genuine "I'm having fun" smiles from Soames. He's dancing up a storm.
GASP! Soames is smiling!
And now he's having another hard on, for real this time.
Six months later and she still hasn't said yes, so he resorts to stalking her:
He finds her.
This dude here talks about all the money and bulidings that he has.
Soames one ups him every time with all the money and buildings that he has. Irene is not impressed.
He proposes to her again.
She gives him the shaft again, and he seriously cannot understand it and is at a complete loss as to how to woo her.
So he looks for inspiration...
and finds this.
He's thinking about it...
He is now awkwardly going through with it...
Takes it in a completely different and inappropriate place by slowly removing the glove from her forearm and...
Doing this.
That was my reaction too.
He apologizes and wipes his mouth, like that erases the impropriety of it all. Says that he lost his head.
Tries to help her put her glove back on.
AWKWARD!!!
She says goodbye to him for good, as in "Stay away from me, you freak."
Oh gee, guess who came crawling back to Money Bags Soames? Right when he's finally given up on her? And of course he's ecstatic that he gets to marry her, even though she outright says, "Promise me you'll let me go if our marriage isn't a success." He is so utterly convinced that he can make her happy that this doesn't even register for him. And Irene is so utterly convinced that she'll be miserable, but she's doing it for the $$$.
The result of the most awkward kiss ever. Also, hat hair, OMG!!!
2 years later...
He's happy, she's not.
He wants to cuddle after their very passionless sex
And she wants to prevent pregnancy because she can't bear to have his spawn inside of her, she's that miserable.
And he lays in bed completely clueless and hurt that she never wants to cuddle, so he drinks.
The girl is June, Jo's daughter with the wife that he left, and this girl is so completely awesome, and she is the ONLY one that ever puts Soames in his place. If they weren't related, I would totally ship them. She's the only one that gets banter out of him. Anyway, the dude next to her is the guy that she wants to marry, but... well, you'll find out later.
Soames is jealous that June makes Irene laugh and he wants to know why he never makes her smile.
A slightly DeNiro-esque face as Irene asks for separate rooms. He is SO NOT happy about that.
See?
Soames playing with his thumbs as his wife has eye sex with June's fiance and everyone gossips about Soames and Irene having separate rooms. Poor Soames, oblivious as always.
And obsessed with Irene's hair having to be absolutely PERFECT!
Whew! That was a big picspam, but Soames has so much awesomeness to capture that I just couldn't help myself.
I originally planned to summarize all 4 eps in one post, but seeing as how I go crazy with the caps when Damian is involved, I thought it best to just go ep by ep.
It starts by setting up the love story between these two:
Jolyon Forsyte and the governess, Helena, that he employs having crazy mad eye sex. When the wife finds out about said eye sex, she tells Jo to fire Helena, he goes to fire her but ends up making sweet, sweet love to her instead. Then he goes and very emotionlessly tells his wife that he's leaving her (and he does this with Helena at his side). This is important, because it mirrors a future love story, only we don't know that yet. Irony? Jo's father disowns him, which makes him poor, but these two are the only ones that end up living happily. Hmm...
Jolyon Forsyte Sr. This dude is awesome, I love him. And his mutton chops. He starts out just as snooty as the rest of his family, but he eventually gets disillusioned with high society and realizes that money and social superiority isn't the answer to happiness.
Soames Forsyte, squeeeeeeee!!!!! This is him being not interested in the idea of marriage.
A slimy smile for our viewing pleasure, OMG!!!
That one was just too cute to not include. His aunt adored him and basically looked to him for everything (as does most of the family, really).
Soames' sister Freddie, who wants to get married to this douche named Darty. He's a money-grubbing moron who gossips more than old ladies, but we don't know that yet. Anyway, he was counting on Freddie's father to give him a large sum of money upon marrying her, but Soames, our sly old greedy solicitor, advises his father to give him nothing.
Nine years later...
Soames is completely entranced with the alabaster-skinned black haired beauty in the balcony across from him. He's practically having a hard on. He asks his friend to introduce them.
The awkward approach.
The alabaster-skinned beauty who had his heart the second he laid eyes on her. Otherwise known as Irene. She's not too taken with him, to be honest, but at least she's trying.
OMG, HOW CAN SHE NOT WANT TO BE JUMPING HIS BONES RIGHT THEN AND THERE! OMG! WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER?
Oh, Soames, you sly dog, having your friend get called away so that you can put the moves on Irene. OMG, I love the non subtle, completely awkward look that he does as his friend walks away.
Dude's in love, and very intensely gazing at her. Okay, so maybe I understand her standoffishness a little bit, I guess he can be kind of creepy.
Money grubbing stepmother of Irene who only sees $$$ when she looks at Soames. They get along splendidly, natch.
Soames awkwardly saying goodbye to Irene. SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!
MORE INTENSE GAZING FROM ACROSS THE ROOM! This is him trying to have eye sex with her.
She notices and tries to oblige, but her heart just isn't in it. Plus, Soames chickens out:
But then he tries again:
JACKPOT!!! Also, slightly creepy smile as his friend tells him where she walks every morning.
Bwahahaha. Okay, so this pic is bad, but pics just won't do his walk justice. It's so incredibly weird and adorable and he carries his cane in front of him, never leans on it. I don't know, it just makes me laugh.
Soames and the step mother doing their thing.
Stepmother: Go ahead, ask her to marry you. $$$$$$$$$$$$
Soames: Yay!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Irene: Do you like art, Mr. Forsyte?
Soames: I do... in it's place.
Irene: ??? Okay... freak.
Soames: Girlfriend, you don't know what you talkin' 'bout.
Irene: Snarky comment that totally tears him down
Soames is amused, despite the fact that he's the butt of her joke. Not quite sure if he even knows that. He's too confident in himself.
Soames: What do you think of this one?
Irene: Blah blah blah colors blah blah dreams blah blah blah beauty
Soames: *dreamy sigh* Would it look good in a hall?
Irene: A hall would disgrace this painting.
Soames: ... ... So does that mean yes?
Then Irene and stepmother talk and Irene basically says that she can't stand him, but stepmother is still all $$$ and doesn't listen, so she invites Soames over to their house.
Soames is waiting to hear Irene confirm the visit.
Soames: Squeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Soames: Oh, by the way, I bought that painting that you like.
Irene: To put in your hall? [/sarcasm]
Soames: ... *is confused as to why she's not jumping for joy at his romanticism*
Remember the guy from the beginning? Jo? He grew a beard. Or a really bushy goatee, whatever you want to call it. And he goes to ask Soames for some money since he and Helena are having a second kid and they need a bigger house.
Soames comes up with some crazy excuse as to why the money can't be released to him, and he's very pleased with himself for being slimy.
Soames watching Irene play the piano.
He's definitely having a hard on this time, complete with heavy breathing.
Him getting the hint from the stepmother that he should propose to Irene.
Lots of awkward fake smiling as he tries to think of what to say.
And what does he come up with? "I make lots of money and I'm in good health." *pats belly* "I have the honor of asking you to be my wife."
He gets the shaft.
Soames: But you're stepmother wants you to marry me.
Irene: I have no doubt of that. Good day, Mr. Forsyte.
Soames: *walks away thinking she'll say yes in a few days, then invites her to London*
He sees Irene dancing, and it's totally inappropriate since she's still in mourning over the loss of her father. But the inappropriateness majorly turns him on and he throws caution to the wind, just this once.
Now, see, in picture form that looks romantic right there, but in the show, he leans in entirely too close and just stays that way for a second and yes, it's completely creepy.
One of the few genuine "I'm having fun" smiles from Soames. He's dancing up a storm.
GASP! Soames is smiling!
And now he's having another hard on, for real this time.
Six months later and she still hasn't said yes, so he resorts to stalking her:
He finds her.
This dude here talks about all the money and bulidings that he has.
Soames one ups him every time with all the money and buildings that he has. Irene is not impressed.
He proposes to her again.
She gives him the shaft again, and he seriously cannot understand it and is at a complete loss as to how to woo her.
So he looks for inspiration...
and finds this.
He's thinking about it...
He is now awkwardly going through with it...
Takes it in a completely different and inappropriate place by slowly removing the glove from her forearm and...
Doing this.
That was my reaction too.
He apologizes and wipes his mouth, like that erases the impropriety of it all. Says that he lost his head.
Tries to help her put her glove back on.
AWKWARD!!!
She says goodbye to him for good, as in "Stay away from me, you freak."
Oh gee, guess who came crawling back to Money Bags Soames? Right when he's finally given up on her? And of course he's ecstatic that he gets to marry her, even though she outright says, "Promise me you'll let me go if our marriage isn't a success." He is so utterly convinced that he can make her happy that this doesn't even register for him. And Irene is so utterly convinced that she'll be miserable, but she's doing it for the $$$.
The result of the most awkward kiss ever. Also, hat hair, OMG!!!
2 years later...
He's happy, she's not.
He wants to cuddle after their very passionless sex
And she wants to prevent pregnancy because she can't bear to have his spawn inside of her, she's that miserable.
And he lays in bed completely clueless and hurt that she never wants to cuddle, so he drinks.
The girl is June, Jo's daughter with the wife that he left, and this girl is so completely awesome, and she is the ONLY one that ever puts Soames in his place. If they weren't related, I would totally ship them. She's the only one that gets banter out of him. Anyway, the dude next to her is the guy that she wants to marry, but... well, you'll find out later.
Soames is jealous that June makes Irene laugh and he wants to know why he never makes her smile.
A slightly DeNiro-esque face as Irene asks for separate rooms. He is SO NOT happy about that.
See?
Soames playing with his thumbs as his wife has eye sex with June's fiance and everyone gossips about Soames and Irene having separate rooms. Poor Soames, oblivious as always.
And obsessed with Irene's hair having to be absolutely PERFECT!
Whew! That was a big picspam, but Soames has so much awesomeness to capture that I just couldn't help myself.