The BEST episodes directed by Tom Hooper
#1 - Part Three
Daniel Deronda - Season 1 - Episode 3
The Grandcourt marriage develops. A critical musician, Herr Klesmer is invited to hear Mirah sing. Daniel finds Mirah's brother Ezra and arranges a meeting. Finally, Sir Hugo Mallinger hands Daniel a letter from his mother.
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#2 - Part 2
Elizabeth I - Season 1 - Episode 2
Deals with the final part of Elizabeth's reign and her relationship with the young and ambitious Earl of Essex. Her obvious affection for him causes concern to Walsingham, Cecil and Burghley, and as Essex becomes increasingly demanding, disobedient and ambitious, Elizabeth ultimately has to deal with him as a potential threat to her throne and position.
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#3 - Independence
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 2
After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.
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#4 - Part Four
Daniel Deronda - Season 1 - Episode 4
After Daniel meets his mother in Genoa and learns the circumstances of his birth and childhood, the Grandcourts have serious trouble while small boat sailing. Ultimately, Daniel makes decisions on a marriage and his life.
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#5 - Join or Die
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 1
In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.
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#6 - Unnecessary War
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 6
Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.
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#7 - Reunion
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 4
Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with its opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.
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#8 - Part One
Daniel Deronda - Season 1 - Episode 1
Gwendolen Harleth encounters Henleigh Grandcourt and Daniel Deronda at separate events. Faced with family financial trouble and knowing the status of Lydia Glasher, Gwendolen receives a marriage proposal from Grandcourt
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#9 - Peacefield
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 7
In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.
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#10 - Part 1
Elizabeth I - Season 1 - Episode 1
Focuses on the relationship between Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester, her admirer and trusted advisor. They agree they cannot marry because of strategy and politics, but Leicester remains on intimate terms with her and her advisor. He feels threatened by the Queen's interest in the Duke of Anjou as a suitor and does what he can to disrupt the courtship. The Queen also has to deal with threats posed by Mary Queen of Scots, culminating in the latter's execution after involvement in plots against Elizabeth, as well as war with Spain. There is victory over the Armada and Spanish threat, but Elizabeth's joy at this is overshadowed by the death of Leicester.
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#11 - Unite or Die
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 5
John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.
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#12 - The Last Witness (1)
Prime Suspect - Season 6 - Episode 1
Jane is asked if she might consider retiring soon after 30 years in service and 7 as a Detective Superintendent. Jane ponders this and then a body of a young Serbian girl is found in a warehouse. The girl has been tortured and strangled. Jane decides to take the case over from Detective Chief Inspector Simon Finch. Her investigation leads her to a Duscan Zigic who has possibly committed atrocities of war in Bosnia.
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#13 - The Idea of North
His Dark Materials - Season 1 - Episode 2
Lyra starts her new life in London, determined to find Roger with Mrs Coulter’s help. The Gyptians continue their search for the missing children and the elusive Gobblers.
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#14 - Don't Tread on Me
John Adams - Season 1 - Episode 3
Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.
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#15 - Lyra's Jordan
His Dark Materials - Season 1 - Episode 1
Orphan Lyra Belacqua's world is turned upside-down by her long-absent uncle's return from the north, while the glamorous Mrs Coulter visits Jordan College with a proposition.
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