TV Gold

With the sixth episode ?Absolute Beginners? set just nine years later in 1903, we open with Nicholas talking with his advisor Von Plehve played by Bruce Purchase. Remembering the name it took me a while but having imaged his head partially covered by a helmet I recognised him from his booming performance in the Doctor Who story ?The Pirate Planet?. This episode focuses completely on Lenin and progression of the Russia communist movement. Despite being, for me, a rather, shall we say, ?dry subject? there are certainly interesting aspects to the manner in which these important historical events are covered in the story. Although initially meeting as friends in a pub Lenin and Martynov?s (Raymond Witch) we watch as that friendship slowly dissolves during the course of the story. Presumably an accurate representation, I was impressed with Mary Wimbush?s impassioned performance as Zasulieh in two eye scenes, really letting her emotional rage out towards the character of Lenin. Credit must certainly go to Patrick Stewart who once again excels as the famous historical figure, bringing a compelling conviction to the role in an episode where he is quite clearly the leading character of the piece. If people only know him from his seven years and four films as Captain Picard then I heartily recommend seeing his performance in both this and, of course, in I, Claudius. At one time, I only knew him from his U.S.S. Enterprise adventures but having witnessed his more dramatic serious roles I have certainly gained a greater respect for his considerable acting skills in effectively conveying dramatic roles such as Lenin.