The majority of cases, however, featured no lawyers at all: the victim and the accused confronted each other in court, arbitrated by a judge. The judge and the jury asked questions of those in the witness box. Once victims began adopting legal counsel to present their cases, the system tipped precipitously in favor of the prosecution. The opening of the series provides brief back-story: Garrow Andrew Buchan is a headstrong and brash young barrister, articled i.
Though in the U. Southouse gives Garrow his first instruction — the case of a young man falsely accused of robbery. This case showcases some of the fascinatingly foreign elements of the British legal system during the Georgian period. Defense counsel was extremely limited in what he could do to help the accused. Essentially, all Garrow is allowed is to give his client advice on specific points of law, and in the courtroom, to cross-examine witnesses. In the courtroom, Garrow is not permitted to directly address the jury in an opening statement, closing statement or at any point during the trial.
Garrow is not allowed to speak to or introduce evidence, and while he may call witnesses, they are not bound to appear. Before the Georgian period, since defense counsel was so limited, many barristers hardly bothered when it came to the types of antics one often sees in the modern courtroom; they saw themselves strictly as legal advisers, rather than as responsible for taking the initiative to save their clients.
To do this, he used sarcasm and belligerence, as well as humor, in his cross-examinations, to both expose ulterior motives and engage the jury. Garrow irritates judges as well, who, in order to preserve their own power in the courtroom, take out their bias against Garrow on his clients.
It also highlights the rampant self-interest that could drive the prosecution of crimes, unjustly divesting the accused of their lives. The first episode introduces a thief-taker, Forrester Steven Waddington , who faces down Garrow in court. In the historical case upon which this episode is based, Garrow managed to get the accused convicted only of minor theft, a lesser crime which resulted in transportation.
This may seem like a disappointing consolation prize until one takes into account that a conviction for robbery brought with it a sentence of death. Unlike the historical Garrow, the series Garrow loses, his client is convicted and immediately sentenced to hang. This is done in furtherance of character development — to show that Garrow has much to learn, and lives hang in the balance.
His education comes through these failures as well as through interaction with his attorney, Mr. This character is based on a historical woman who, though not married to him, gave birth to a child by Sir Arthur Hill, and with whom Garrow had an unusual relationship; they would eventually marry. Garrow is concerned with truth, and the series also examines how this can sometimes be at odds with the unsavory characters he defends.
His is not conventional Georgian morality, but Garrow has a conscience and an individualistic sense of right and wrong — he is not the slimy ambulance chaser willing to take any case for money. Through Sir Arthur, the flip side of the squalor of Newgate and the Old Bailey is shown — the quiet elegance of the aristocracy. There is enough attention given to historicity to keep viewers from being pulled out of the period, but this series is, first and foremost, a courtroom drama.
Three of the last four posts are complaining about the intrusive corny background music to Garrow's law. Please take heed. Little or no music would be good thanks. Excellent show! I really have enjoyed both seasons so far! I did notice something interesting after viewing last Sunday's episode that has got me thinking. In the opening credits, the faces of the actors portraying the characters are superimposed over books and legal documents.
When Sir Arthur Hill comes up, a book is opened containing a text. When I looked at the text a little closer, I noticed that it was the opening of the Declaration of Independence written on July 4, I wonder if the producers of the show were implying something by this? The show hasn't painted the aristocracy in a very favorable light and has even referenced Thomas Payne. I just thought it was interesting.
This is certainly my favorite show on the BBC! I Watched the first series which was good. My husband and I enjoyed it. This series seems to have gone off a bit, could not put my finger on why. Then my husband remarked they are putting to much in this series about the love triangle its spoiling the the series.
To which I have to agree. Its gone morbid. The music is OK to me and I think it's great, makes it dramatic. It is hardly ever played anyway - only in the end in the preview of next week's episode that the theme tune was played alongside with dialogues. I have no idea why people would need to complain!!
BBC sound recording is always so lifelike it's a treat! I am also glad that BBC made shows always have especially commissioned music, what a way to nurture the composing talent in this country!
Forgot to say - the series is great. After discovering this watching it for the first time ever - the series two - I had to see the series one straightaway Looking forward to Series 3 already. This programme is absolute class. I am enjoying all aspects from costume,to acting and script. I can't wait for series 3. Please tell me there will be series 3!
I love this show so much! We have just watched another wonderful episode of Garrow's Law. I congratulate Tony Marchant on the brilliant script. The whole series has been excellent. I remember the old period dramas that went out on BBC1 at 5pm on a Sundays 30 or 40 years ago. Usually Dickens plays. There was no back ground music. They were all the more realistic for it. After all we don't live in a world with background music in real life do we.
I'm not unthinking as to need melodramatic music to suggest to me when there's drama, anymore than I need canned laughter to tell me when to laugh. I guess you Mr screenname are in need of those things.
Say no more! What a tremendous drama series from the BBC yet again and are we witnessing the emergence of another exceptional British actor in Andrew Buchan.
There may be some historical inaccuracies but it is a drama not a documentary. When is the next series? Having watched the final episode of Garrows Law last night, I just had to pass on my appreciation at such a wonderful and truly gripping series.
Being married to a trainee barrister myself and I am all to aware of modern practise but Garrows Law has provided me with an insight into the beginnings of the profession. Please, please write the series as a book too. Very much looking forward to series three. Thank you. This allowed George to marry again. George and his new wife lived in Essex and in , only a year after they were married, his previous mistress, Anne Broadrick, arrived unannounced and shot him.
The prosecution was headed by William Garrow and Francis Const. She was found not guilty of murder "on account of insanity" and the Judge, Sir Archibald Macdonald, ordered that "she be detained for life as a lunatic". This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Absolutely brilliant, thank you very much. More please: beautifully written, put together and performed. Laughter and tears all in the space of an hour or so.
Top banana. Who is Lady Elizabeth Fox? Could she be a figment of Tony Marchant's imagination? In his Will Sir Arthur William Moyses Hill provides for his three illegitimate children in addition to his legitimate children. This may well have come as a shock to his wedow!! In my opinion we were introduced to the first of these daughters in the final episode. Garrow's law shows the BBc at it's very best. This is quality television. It is a shame that these quality programes do not seem to be available on iplayer.
I suppose the BBC want to ensure that only the paid up license payers can view the quality programes. The cheap skates can have all the rubbish for free on iplayer. Who said the BBC had no head for bussines? I watched and re-watched season one and two of Garrow's Law on youtube thank god for youtube which allows you to watch some of the period dramas which I love in a matter of 2 or 3 days. Andrew Buchan was excellent in these series and should be known as one the great actors of our time.
He is also quite irresistable. There is no comparison to English acting and drama especially as far as period dramas are concerned. Thank you and we want more of Garrow's Law. This is an excellent production! I love the variety of characters that find themselves in the dock each week. Tony Jordan manages to inject humour into dark places and writes such beautiful dialogue. Andrew Buchan and Alan Armstrong are amazing! Their relationship is superbly delivered with strong characterisation at the core.
Top review. Wonderful and very clever series. When I first heard of Garrow's Law last year, it looked very interesting. I saw all the episodes and loved the series from start to finish. But I was saddened when the series ended as I thought it was one of the better programmes of the year.
Deep down, I hoped it would return and be as strong as ever. When I heard it had indeed returned I was overjoyed. I couldn't wait for the beautiful period detail, the clever dialogue and stories, the classic Alun Armstrong moments and of course William Garrow himself.
And I was not disappointed. When Garrow's Law started, it was fascinating, beautifully written and handsome in its detail. When it returned, it was all three of those things and more. The period detail once more is very accurate and eye catching, the lovely scenery and sumptuous costumes are perfectly captured by the skillful photography. The music is excellent too, often haunting and somewhat poignant too. The direction throughout I have had no problem with either, while the writing is thought-provoking and always clever and the stories and cases also accurate, interesting and well-written.
The acting is outstanding I feel. Andrew Buchan is excellent as Garrow, very handsome, idealistic and very intelligent. Lyndsey Marshal is lovely too, delicate and well meaning. But I love Alun Armstrong the most, Armstrong is a wonderful actor I feel and he couldn't have been more perfect as Southouse. Plus there are plenty of classic moments with him, not only in the stories but also in the dialogue and facial expressions.
Overall, Garrow's Law is a wonderful series. TheLittleSongbird Dec 2, Details Edit. Release date November 1, United Kingdom.
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