Why Brits Do TV Right II

If you're looking for something to watch on a rainy weekend, may we suggest "Jekyll." We just finished watching this six-part BBC miniseries (available on Netflix, and, presumably, DVD). It's another one of these British "popcorn" shows: Like popcorn, it's impossible to stop ingesting once you start.

As you might guess from the title, the show is a variation on "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"--sort of a sequel, to be precise. Set in modern-day England, the show revolves around Dr. Tom Jackman (James Nesbitt), a descendant of the original Dr. Henry Jekyll, who it turns out was a real person. Jackman, too, suffers from the family curse, transforming with increasing regularity into a charismatic, extremely powerful, and psychopathically violent alter-ego who eventually, inevitably, comes to be called Mr. Hyde. While Jackman struggles to control Hyde--or at least minimize the damage he does--he is pursued by a mysterious corporation that wishes to control Hyde itself. All the while, he also worries about his estranged wife and their two small sons, who he fears may fall victim to Hyde.

Written by "Doctor Who" veteran Steven Moffat, the miniseries is astonishingly dense--which we mean as a compliment. There is more plot, more action, more intrigue, and, frankly, more character development packed into these six one-hour long episodes than in two or three seasons of "Lost" (and we LIKE "Lost"). Once you finish the last episode, think back to the beginning; you'll be amazed by how far the show took you (and how well it ties up loose ends--which we fear will be another shortcoming of any ending to "Lost").

Any review would be remiss in not mentioning James Nesbitt, who stars as the eponymous hero/villain. One of the more noteworthy aspects of the program is how well he channels both characters without benefit of extensive make-up or high-tech special effects. He portrays both the stiffness and repression of Jekyll/Jackman and the high-energy, almost musical-theater flamboyance of Mr. Hyde. And [SPOILER ALERT] by the end of the series, when the character has achieved a sort of semi-equilibrium between the two states, he embodies a "third character," neither Jekyll nor Hyde, but something right in the middle--and, by the way, probably the most "normal" character he portrays throughout the entire series.

If you're a fan of fantasy/science-fiction/horror--or just plain old suspense--rent it. You won't be disappointed.