Gentlemen! When the Barrage Lifts.
Gentleman! When the Barrage Lifts.
THE PROMPT: Given by lilachaze ,
Forbidden love between soldiers during the First World War.
TYPE: Miniseries, six one hour episodes, commissioned by the BBC. Or HBO.
SETTING: 1914-1918, alternating between the trenches and an American city.
OPENING CREDITS SONG: Lang Lang, Gnossiennes No. 1 - Lent
FINALE ENDING CREDITS SONG: Silence, as the simple white credits roll on by.
SYNOPSIS:
We all know the beginnings of World War I, the assassination, the alliances, and how Europe was pulled into a conflict that would have repercussions from that day to this. From these Earth shaking events, comes a smaller story, about a young man who is as eager for adventure, as he is to escape from his privileged but stifling family.
Christopher Turner, unable to wait for the United States to join in this conflict, leaves his home in the United States, and volunteers for the British Army. Thrown into a conflict about which he knows very little, among comrades with whom he shares little in common with, Christopher is lost... Until he meets the dashing Lieutenant Andrew Carwin, who takes the young American under his wing. Their friendship eventually blossoms into something more.
MAIN CAST:
Private Christopher Turner -- the main character. Late teens/very early twenties. Idealistic. Brave -- perhaps because he doesn't know any better, there is a lot of flaws to this character. He makes rash decisions (like running away), but sees things through. Loyal. Handsome, and he knows it-- isn't above using his good looks to his advantage. Confused about his sexuality-- conflicts with his religious upbringing. Likable despite his flaws.
Played by: BRADLEY JAMES IF HE CAN SWING AN AMERICAN ACCENT. LET'S SAY THAT HE CAN.
Captain Peter Brooks -- The superior officer. Early forties. Dedicated to his men, but has troubles communicating, expressing himself without prompting. Has a possible love interest? Develops a drinking problem later on as conditions deteriorate.
Played by: Ben Daniels
First Lieutenant Miles Worthing -- Late twenties//early, early thirties. Has a strange relationship with Carwin. Their families were very close, the boys grew up together, went to school and Oxford together, even joined the same regiment. Generally thought to be Carwin's best friend, but it truth they are the fiercest of rivals. (In Miles' view. Carwin does not seem to be bothered.) Miles is determined to show the world-- and Helen, whom he loves, that Carwin is not as wonderful they all suppose. Develops as a stronger character through the series.
Played by: Callum Blue
Second Lieutenant Andrew Reynolds Carwin -- Late twenties/early, early thirties. walks on this Earth but lightly. Even those closest to him, Christopher, Miles and Helen, feel at times that they hardly know him. Has an air of mystery about him, as well fabulous good luck. Before the war, he was extremely successful in whatever he did-- although most couldn't tell you what he did. Being a gentleman, most probably. He is very good at his job-- can inspire the men to incredible feats of heroism. Has a dark side that is hinted at, but rarely seen. A cypher.
Played by: Michael Fassbender.
Clara Turner -- Christopher's sister-- Early twenties. with whom he writes letters, his confidant, only on who know his developing feelings for Carwin. A modern young women, Clara feels the same impulse towards adventure as her younger brother, but is limited by her gender. Becomes more and more involved with the suffrage movement and the plight of the desperately poor. Has an attraction to a young doctor, Fredrick McLeod-- which is reciprocated.
Played by: Carey Mulligan.
Frederick McLeod, played by Lee Pace.
Helen Bishop -- Mid-twenties. engaged to Carwin, is a strong and independent woman in her own right. Becomes a nurse over her family's objections. Life on the battlefield changes Helen-- makes her realize that while an amicable (if not passionate) marriage with Carwin is not what she wants. Has brief affair with a married doctor. Is aware of Worthing's feelings for her, initially does not reciprocate.
Played by: Katie McGrath.
Unnamed French Captain, probably named Guy. Appears out of nowhere in episode 4, has a history with Carwin. Yes. THAT KIND OF HISTORY. Not much is known about this man, or why he appears when he does. It's clear from the rumors that surround him that he has reputation. Whether it's a good or bad one, time will tell.
EPISODE GUIDE:
1x01: "Knight Errant"
Scenes of Christopher's childhood is interspersed with those of the present (late summer, 1914). Christopher reads about the opportunities of glorious battle in Europe. Influenced by his readings of bravery and adventure (especially those of King Arthur and his knights.) His father is overbearing and brutal, while his mother-- while loving, is frail and dependent on her children. Not wishing to join his family's banking business and unable to stand his family's constant bickering, Christopher and his elder sister, Clara, plan to go to Canada and from there join in the fight-- Christopher as a soldier and Clara as a nurse. Their plans are ruined, however, when their mother collapses and dies of a heart attack. Christopher is heartbroken, but uses the confusion to go on to Canada.
The episode ends with Clara, devastated by her mother's death and angered by her brother's seeming abandonment, looks on at the Mississippi, wondering what she should do with her life. She wonders life the rest of her life will go like this... As she contemplates the water, a voice behind her interrupts her revelry.
1x02: "The Glory of War"
War isn't all that's cracked up to be. One by one, Christoper's illusions are stripped away. Lonely and homesick, he struggles to get on with his fellow soldiers. Miserable, he starts writing to Clara. Although still angry at her brother, after a brief silence, Clara replies. Soon, the siblings' correspondence is a regular fixture in their lives.
The tension reaches a boiling point when when a fight break out, and Christopher is brought to a disciplinary hearing. Christopher defends himself, and manages to impress the judges. However, he is still punished-- an overnight stay at the army jail. He is noticed by Captain Brooks, and is transferred to his unit. Word goes around that the unit is to ship out any day. The excitement is palpable. All the officers and men are assembled and ready to go-- except Second Lieutenant Andrew Carwin. Has he skipped out on his duty? Already famous among the ranks, it is an open secret among the ranks that the lieutenant has some... unusual practices.
But Carwin arrives last minute, and as the ship heads out, Christopher can't help but watch this dynamic man. As the episode ends, Carwin notices this attention. At first his face is grave, and then slowly, he smiles... And winks.
1x03: "Helen, lately of Troy"
A day in the life of Helen Bishop, front line nurse, with flashbacks to her past. Her upbringing (strict), her girlhood (boring), her chances at love (set, apparently. She is engaged to Carwin, loved by Worthing.) Is she happy? No. We see why as the episode progresses.
Meanwhile, Carwin and Christopher are getting to know each other. It's plainly obvious to everyone that Christopher is smitten, but unclear whether Carwin notices. Their friendship is curtailed by the fact that Carwin is not likely to be caught fratrizing with the enlisted men.
We met First Lieutenant Miles Worthing for the first time. He is a good officer and well liked by the men; however, it clear that his jealousy over Carwin is taking a toll on his work. Why does everyone seem to gravitate towards him?
Miles visits Helen, and can see that she is unhappy. Tries clumsily to court her, only to be shot down. A sudden round of mortar interrupts their encounter, and Miles is slightly wounded. Helen patches him up and sends him on his way.
Back in the states, Clara is avoiding her father, who is angry and frightened at the way his family has fallen apart. She becomes involved in the suffragette movement, and experiments with various political ideologies. We are introduced to the man who spoke to her at the bridge-- Doctor Frederick McLeod. They have fierce arguments about both of their political philosophies. Clara wants the United States to enter the war, and fiercely defends her brother's decision to enter the war, while Frederick is more skeptical...
The episode ends with shots of Christopher and Carwin, Helen and Miles, and Clara and Frederick in that particular moments of their courtship.
1x04 "Bayonets"
On the night of an important offensive, a stranger arrives in the trenches. Unwilling to talk to anyone except the officer in charge, he is brought before the captain and his lieutenants. As the episode progresses, it is clear that the French officer, Guy knows Carwin. How and why is still a mystery. Christopher is making friends in the regiment-especially with a fellow private, Tom Branch, a news agent’s assistant from Newcastle.
We see some scenes from a soldier’s life- there are brief periods of excitement and fear, followed by long stretches of boredom. The company amuses itself by taking bets on who will kill the most rats-the vermin infest the trenches, and have grown so bold that without intervention, they would eat a man’s rations, shoes, and even his eyebrows. Tom distinguishes himself as an expert rat killer, much to everyone’s admiration.
Still in possession of his eyebrows, Christopher makes awkward advances towards Carwin, which the older man kindly rebuffs. For now, they remain friends of sorts, and Carwin has taken upon himself to teach Christopher leadership-which is, from what he can make out, seems to be be Carwin. As the pair practice their marksmanship, as share an almost kiss. Embarrassed, Christopher leaves hurriedly… Only to return the next night to Carwin’s tent. They become lovers. (IDK if I want a classic ~fade into black~ or something a bit more… substantial. I mean, it’s only fair that some male nudity should be seen. SO YEAH.) Lots of lovingly shot frames here. Oh yes, that's a payoff.
Guy is aware of this development, and is a total CREEPER about it. He starts flirting with Christopher, much to the boy's discomfiture. Carwin appears, and seems to signal to the Frenchman that his advances are unwelcome.
Some time later, on a day remarkable for its clearness-- the fighting is very heavy. A mortar hits Captain Brooks squarely-- his left leg is blown off. He dies in agony. Miles, who was closest to the unfortunate captain also gets hit. Carwin leads a charge through no-man's land, and manages to kill several enemy soldiers. Christopher is in this group, and has to kill a young German-- who is his age-- at close range with his bayonet.
"A fucking bayonet. Can you believe it? There's machine guns out there, tearing men apart, and what we have are fucking bayonets."
1x05 "For Thy Sweet Love"
Helen and Miles have another argument-but this time, because he is injured and in pain, she cannot be angry at him for long. They begin to talk for the first time in a long time. They listen to each other-to truly hear what the other is saying. Helen realizes that Miles sincerely loves her, and Miles realizes that he has come to love Helen for herself, not because she is connected to Carwin. She takes his hand, and he smiles. They share a kiss, and are quite happy… Until the attending doctor comes in and tells them that Miles is going to be transferred to a hospital away from the frontlines. Helen, distressed that she will lose him, asks to be transferred with him. Her request is rejected, and so the lovers part…
Clara is giving every thing she has to her work-she spends her time in at the local women’s home, where poor immigrant women come to get help. She teaches English, and tries to help. But the need of those she wants to help so large, it feels like all of her efforts are just a drop in the bucket. Frederick is also involved--- practicing medicine in the poorer sections of town. Clara is slowly reconciling with her father, who she can see is deeply lonely. They reach a tentative accord, although Christopher’s name is never mentioned.
Clara receives a letter from Christopher, carefully coded to get pass the
censors-wherein he tells her that he loves Carwin. She is shocked-although, to tell the truth, not as shocked as he assumed. Unsure of what to do, she wonders if she should disown her brother --- the only member of her family that she wholeheartedly loves, or accept him for what he is.
Meanwhile, all is well with Christopher and Carwin. (As well as things can be in a war zone, after all.) It seems that the death and destruction that surrounds them cannot touch them. Guy drops dark hints about secrets that Christopher does not know, but the young man is too happy to care. Indeed, this happiness leads to carelessness--- rumors abound about the pair. However, Carwin’s enormous popularity seems to protect them…
Clara decides, in the end, that she loves her brother-and will support him. She writes back to him, and says that she hopes one day to meet Carwin, a man that has made her brother so very happy.
The episode ends with Clara and Christopher smiling as they receive their letters, and the screen is split. We can see the similarity between the siblings, and their parallel lives.
1x06 "End"
The higher ups decide that it would be a very good idea to capture a bridge about a mile behind enemy lines. Everyone is certain that this will only end with death. The mood is understandable grim.
Christopher takes his final walk to Carwin's tent. He is stopped by Tom, who threatens to expose his relationship with the captain. A lot is riding on this threat, of course. The best one can hope for is dismissal, and the worst one can fear is a bullet to the head. Christopher shrugs this off, and goes to Carwin. His disress is apparent. "We'll be exposed, ruined." He says. Carwin smiles sadly, and offers the younger man a cigarette. "That's assuming that we survive. Which isn't..." He shrugs. Christopher takes the cigarette, and we see the two of them, side by side. The sinuous smoke twisting aloft in the dimming room.
As expected, the next day is an orgy of blood and chaos. It seems that everyone is killed. In the aftermath, we see Christopher's lifeless body borne away. Carwin's fate is more ambiguous. His body is missing. He died as he lived-- in almost total mystery. Guy appears for the last time, smoking a cigarette as he looks on to this scene of carnage.
Fade into black.
1919
Clara marries Frederick, but it's not a happy marriage. Their differences become more and more apparently as the years past. A few years after the war, she makes her way to France. She becomes a part of the Lost Generation milieu. By coincidence, she meets with up with Helen (now engaged to Miles-- maybe, unclear if they'll work out), and without knowing their their connection, they sit on a park bench and talk.
The camera pans out, farther and farther until all we can see is the sky.
The End.
( Cross-posted to my journal, and it's public. There's a nascent fandom! And alternative pairings galore!)