IN REVIEW: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS EPISODE EIGHT

Synopsis: In this season finale of Around The World In 80 Days. An irresistible reunion, deadly dockside danger and regrettable red tape mean Phileas Fogg faces failure while his companions ponder parting from each other.

The Story

Having made it to New York in last week’s episode. Fogg, Abigail, and Passepartout have time to kill before boarding their ship. This extra time proves to be an irresistible opportunity for Fogg to try and reconnect with Estella who he abandoned many years ago. Of course, Passepartout and Abigail worry about whether Fogg will get back to the boat in time for departure. Especially given that Nyle Bellemy has gone out of his way to stop Fogg from succeeding. Indeed, Thomas Kneedling is in New York and he’d be more than willing to kill Fogg in order to get his reward. 

After having had a reunion with Estella which proves to be insightful and helpful for Fogg as they pretty much forgive each other and part on better terms. Fogg makes his way back to the ship but gets delayed when Needling attacks him. This proves to be a defining moment for Fogg as he stands up for himself and just about makes it back to the ship with some evidence to incriminate Bellemy.

However, Fogg’s problems do not end there. When the group makes it into England they are delayed in Liverpool thanks to some red tape. Apparently, the port authorities have a warrant for Fogg’s arrest for an incident that took place in China. Fogg who has not realized the time difference and the fact that he still has a whole day left believes that the night in jail will mean he has failed in his bet. Of course, we all know how this story ends. But it’s always fun to see how it plays out.

The Acting

David Tennant, Ibrahim Koma, and Leonie Benesch have been fantastic throughout this series and this episode is no exception. I loved the reunion between Fogg and his ex-girlfriend Estella who is brilliantly portrayed by Dolly Wells. The initial meeting where Fogg is preparing to embrace her and gets beat up by her via the use of her rather heavy bag was hilarious. Also, the conversation they have is instructive in that it gives Fogg the push that he needs to embrace his brilliance. That note she sent calling him a Coward pays dividends and proves to be the wake-up call that Fogg needed.

We also get fantastic performances from Anthony Flanagan and Peter Sullivan as Nyle Bellemy and the unscrupulous Thomas Needling. Sullivan is fantastic as the sneering Nyles Bellemy, especially in his final scene where Fogg pretty much exposes him for the liar and cheat that he is. Likewise, Flanagan performs a brilliant death scene in which he manages to redeem himself by giving Fogg a signed document that exposes Bellemy.

Overall

This has been a fantastic adaptation of Around The World in 80 Days, which has truly explored the characters and taken them beyond the typical stereotypical heroes. I loved how the writers managed to humanize Fogg by making him more of a flawed individual and giving him a truly wonderful hero’s journey. Also, the writing for Abigail and Passepartout and their relationship was nicely done.

So, it seems that we have a second series of Around The World in 80 Days, which is fantastic news. However, the story from the book has pretty much been told. So where do Fogg and his companions go from here? To answer that one. We’ll have to tune in for the next series, but we do get a few hints when Fogg reads an article about a mysterious sea monster that is terrorizing shipping. Captain Nemo perhaps?

Overall. This was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to see how series creators Ashley Pharoah and Caleb Ranson make use of other Jules Verne characters to continue Fogg’s adventures in Around The World in 80 Days.