The Artful Dodger

As a fan of both the 1967 movie Oliver! And author Charles Dickens, I was excited about watching The Artful Dodger. The casting is extraordinary. Familiar characters are given a twist without that "wet lettuce" Oliver Twist. And yet... I couldn't shake off some of the show's departures from Dickens. Is Fagin even Jewish anymore? Would Dodger really settle into a surgeon's workhorse life? But, a series even bringing up such questions must be doing something right.

The show may share some of Dickens' faults as a writer: moralizing. Of course, our heroine rejects Victorian womanhood and loves science as she should. And she loathes the ignorance and filth around her just as a modern young woman might. But, some of the Victorian tropes from Oliver Twist come up. Do we admire Belle more because she is "the closest thing to royalty...here."? Just like Oliver was really an heir and not a poor street urchin (sorry, spoiler alert for Oliver Twist.) Maybe Belle the Governor's daughter just reminds me of Hermione Granger at times.

The Australian setting does offer possibilities and perils. But I can't help but mourn what we're losing- Victorian London. Of course, I'm only two episodes in as of now. I'm hoping Fagin will discuss his Judaism and everyone will jaunt off to see Big Ben- but I'm not holding my breath. Dickens based Fagin on a real criminal who was also sent to Australia before being hung- if I remember Wikipedia correctly. I'm fascinated by Ron Moody's take on Fagin in Oliver! And how the actor insisted on avoiding antisemitism from old stage traditions. I'm glad to see another take on the character. I look forward to the next episode. As for Fagin's partner in crime, have no notes on the Artful Dodger performance- it's perfect.

Haven't watched this book before. It's a new theme, and I already got bored watching modern medical series, but this one is eye-catching to me, so I finished it in a day. Good chemistry when Dawkins works with Belle. Hope they have more loveline in season two and see their growth because it's not enough to see them how to attract each other and the last few episodes were a little bit fast to end. It tells how rare the medical resources were back then and how they discovered sorts of things to save lives. Have to say that the costume and art team perfectly recreated the scene at that time, and their costumes depict contemporary social status, which is incredible.

This series was done in the time of Oliver Twist, and it revolves around a surgeon(once thief) who became much more after he was abandoned by his uncle. And in another town, with a hospital to do surgeries in, he and the lovely governors daughter push the bounds of the 1850s modern medicine.

I watch quite a few series, and as of late they have been pretty dull, but this one is fire. There's simply no other way to put it. It has everything you could possibly want in a series. Great actors, drama, love, medicine, crime, a villain, and twists and turns for everything.

10/10 well done. Seriously at a time when we couldn't get a great series this is a cut about the rest!

This reminded me of when I used to see the old Disney stuff with Hayley Mills or early Kurt Russel stuff.

It's fun, family friendly, excellent writing, great casting across the board. David Thewlis as Fagin is just a scene stealer, Thomas Brodie-Sangster is great and so utterly likeable as the Dodger and Maia Mitchel is channeling Hayley Mills in such a modern way that it's hard not to smile when she does.

Big fan of the show, really would love to see Disney make more fare like this, it's what a show should really be and I would love to see something done with Bed Knobs and Broomsticks, The Ghosts of Buxley-Hall or even the Dexter Riley trilogy.

This is fun, and there should be more of it!!!

The Artful Dodger was one of those series you wish you could watch for the first time again. The amount of surprises and shocks one will experience through out this series takes you on a roller coaster of happiness, sadness, anger and triumph. The acting from all the cast is phenomenal especially Thomas Brodie Sangster, David Thewlis and Maia Mitchell. Artful Dodger is changing and growing at such a fast pase yet it keeps u invested and on your toes the entire time. The romance in the show was Perfect and Jack and Belles chemistry is out of this world. The Australian actors are great and the settings, costume designs and cinematography was fabulous! The story also kept the audience entertained with just the right about of short witty humour. The ending was pleasing although I think most people want to see a season 2!! And in my opinion The Artful Dodger deserves an award of some kind. Thanks for creating this masterpiece 10/10 recommend

-K&F.