JEWEL IN THE CROWN, THE, EPISODE 8: THE DAY OF THE SCORPION (TV)
Summary
Part eight of this epic fourteen-part drama which chronicles the final turbulent years of English rule in India from 1942-1947. Based on author Paul Scott's "The Raj Quartet," this mini-series concentrates on the intricate personal relationships between British and Indian characters, against the backdrop of India's struggle to assert its sovereignty from the declining British Empire. In the eighth episode, "The Day of the Scorpion," which takes place in 1944, Sarah returns to Pankot from her trip to see Ronald Merrick in the hospital in Calcutta, stopping in Ranpur where she dines with Count Bronowsky, who informs her of Ahmed Kasim's lingering interest in her. Ahmed visits his father, Mohammed, the ex-chief minister of Ranpur, who has been released after being a political prisoner -- and warns him that his other son, Sayed, has joined the Indian National Army to fight alongside the Japanese against the British. Once in Pankot, Sarah encounters life in the wake of Aunt Mabel's death and following the birth of Susan's baby, Theodore.
Susan, disturbed by the deaths of her husband and Mabel, however, has been unable to look at her child thus far. Barbie learns of the vicious rumor which purports that she was asked by Mildred to leave Rose Cottage because of her "unnatural" interest in the two young adult Layton sisters. The former missionary seeks solace in a visit to the church, briefly glimpsing Lady Manners. Merrick, who lost his arm and was disfigured while trying to save Susan's late husband Teddie Bingham during warfare, is driven to near-insanity from the bitterness of his pain and loss. After Mildred shares drinks at the club with Sarah, Susan, and friends, gleefully gloating over Barbie's departure from Rose Cottage, Susan repairs to their home and attempts to murder her child by encircling him in a ring of fire.
(This series also aired on PBS under the umbrella of "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre" from December 16, 1984 through March 17, 1985.)
Details
- NETWORK: Granada (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1983
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:15
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1238
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Drama, historical; India - History - Drama; International Collection - United Kingdom
- SERIES RUN: Granada (United Kingdom) - TV series, 1984
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Denis Forman … Executive Producer
- Christopher Morahan … Producer
- Milly Preece … Associate Producer
- Jim O'Brien … Director
- Irene Shubik … Series Devised by
- Lesley Beames … Researcher
- Paul Scott … Writer, Based on "The Raj Quartet" by
- Ken Taylor … Adapted by
- George Fenton … Composer
- Geraldine James … Cast, Sarah Layton
- Kumar Ranji … Cast, a Railway Official
- Eric Porter … Cast, Count Bronowsky
- Le Prevost, Nicholas … Cast, Nigel Rowan
- Derrick Branche … Cast, Ahmed Kasim
- Zia Mohyeddin … Cast, Mohammed Kasim
- Judy Parfitt … Cast, Mildred Layton
- Lottie Ward … Cast, Sister Matthews
- Wendy Morgan … Cast, Susan Bingham
- Carol Gillies … Cast, Clarissa Peplow
- Peggy Ashcroft … Cast, Barbie Batchelor
- Rachel Kempson … Cast, Lady Manners
- Yadani Raza Khan … Cast, Ashok
- Ishaq Bux … Cast, Aziz
- Tim Pigott-Smith … Cast, Ronald Merrick
- Warren Clarke … Cast, Sophie Dixon
- Anthony Brown … Cast, Arthur Peplow
- Stephen Riddle … Cast, Dicky Beauvais
- Geoffrey Beevers … Cast, Kevin Coley
- Anna Cropper … Cast, Nicky Paynton
- Shreela Ghosh … Cast, Minnie