'MALICE AFORETHOUGHT': MURDER, HE PRESCRIBED.Byline: David Kronke TV Critic ``MALICE AFORETHOUGHT,'' a new ``Mystery!'' miniseries on PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, , offers the familiar sad spectacle of a henpecked hen·peck tr.v. hen·pecked, hen·peck·ing, hen·pecks Informal To dominate or harass (one's husband) with persistent nagging. husband, Dr. Edmund Bickleigh (Ben Miller), who, weary of the relentless abuse at the hands of stuffy wife Julia (Barbara Flynn), finds refuge in flirtations and affairs. Ivy Ridgeway (Lucy Brown) clings to Bickleigh until, during a social game of tennis, he's introduced to a flamboyant blonde named Madeleine (Megan Dodds), then is promptly humiliated by being assigned the role of ball boy. Madeleine - ``the kind of girl who's not happy unless she's the center of attention,'' his wife sniffs - soon suffers from a serendipitous affliction and summons Dr. Bickleigh. She's not ailing, naturally, but has been moved by the ``artistic temperament'' suggested by his sketches - ``I'm positively starved for conversation about the arts,'' she coos, offering to pose for him in stockings and a scarlet slip and bra. Madeleine admires his work, which he pompously suggests reveals ``the real you that the world doesn't see.'' Impressed, she asks, ``Do you really think there is such a me?'' And of course, they're at it within seconds, and within days, Bickleigh is plotting his wife's murder. ``Malice Aforethought'' is minor but adroitly a·droit adj. 1. Dexterous; deft. 2. Skillful and adept under pressing conditions. See Synonyms at dexterous. [French, from à droit : à, to (from Latin executed entertainment, based on Francis Iles' droll novel. Bickleigh is pleased when his murder succeeds, less so when the town gossips speculate on the more dubious particulars of her death and even less so when Madeleine jilts him for another suitor. Tonight, things start, ever so slightly, to unravel, while next week, to reverse the metaphor, the noose tightens around Bickleigh's neck as he goes about frantically endeavoring to devise equally surreptitious SURREPTITIOUS. That which is done in a fraudulent stealthy manner. means of disposing of his detractors. Director David Blair gives the film the stately sort of pacing and imbues it with the burnished bur·nish tr.v. bur·nished, bur·nish·ing, bur·nish·es 1. To make smooth or glossy by or as if by rubbing; polish. 2. To rub with a tool that serves especially to smooth or polish. n. amber hues familiar to British adaptations of the classics seen on ``Masterpiece Theatre.'' During the more intense scenes, though, Blair's film becomes jangly adj. 1. like the discordant ringing of nonmusical metallic objects striking together; sounding with a jangle ; as, a custodian with a jangly set of keys s>. Adj. 1. in its editing and urgent in its camera work. ``Malice Aforethought'' is conventional material with a genial twist, dexterously dex·ter·ous also dex·trous adj. 1. Skillful in the use of the hands. 2. Having mental skill or adroitness. 3. Done with dexterity. presented and performed, placing viewers in the common conundrum of wondering whether they should truly be pulling for a murderer, even if it does allow him a chance to marry ``up.'' David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke(at)dailynews.com MALICE AFORETHOUGHT - Three stars What: Droll ``Mystery!'' installments about an amorous village doctor who plots his wife's demise. Where: KCET KCET Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (Japan) KCET Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology . When: 9 tonight and April 10. In a nutshell: Familiar but fun. |
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