Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (1×03) “The Education of a Magician” Review

Jonathan Strange marches to war! But it’s Mr Norrell who might be in more danger…

Off to War!

The presence of war in episode 3 helps re-energise the series, and as we delve into darker times we learn even more about Mr Strange… Bertie Carvel plays Strange with a bumbling, Hugh Grant-like modesty and he is particularly likable and naïve in this environment. This episode covers the tribulations of an ordinary gentleman on the frontline, and ends with his marching away and back to London.

“I am Strange.” “Indeed.”

Strange here is learning his craft, and the magic effects are achieved simplistically, using natural elements – we see only white smoke, or rattling stones. Nevertheless they are effective; the scene in the woods with the cannon ball smashing through the trees is a particular triumph. There are other stunning visuals here such as the burning windmill, although the zombie sequence felt slightly wasted. The purpose of the sequence is to show Strange’s descent into dark magic, performing acts that Mr Norrell would not, and seeing magic in extremis in war. Sadly, the sequence feels throwaway, not presented as a light set-piece nor a dark dabbling, but an uneasy mixture of both. The whole concept is presented much better in the novel on which this series is based.

Girl Power

This episode also continues its attention on the ladies’ relationship, Lady Pole and Mrs Arabella Strange, which is a refreshing change from the male-centric world of magic. Both are removed from the masculine society but also immeasurably impacted upon by it. It must be said that Charlotte Riley (Mrs Strange) steals these scenes, which her simultaneously soft and yet resolute, bold expression. A multi-layered performance.

But then Lady Pole really asserts herself at the climax by shooting Childermass! It’s a great twist, but it might have been even better if Childermass had been given more screen-time before this, so it would feel like more of a blow. In the book the shooting occurs much later, but I suspect it has been moved forward in the narrative to keep these earlier episodes exciting.

Final Verdict

“You have opened the door to hell and invited the devil into England!”

In all this Mr Norrell gets slightly lost, but it is nice to see the focus of the series tipping from Strange to Norrell and back again. The episode is strong and certainly delivers a strong climax, but more work needed to be done to justify that climax. There isn’t a palpable sense of Norrell at danger of being discredited, or of Norrell in danger of Lady Pole, or even, for much of it, of Strange being in danger at war! The episode is blooded, but not quite full-blooded.