TV is the New Reading

It’s “Jekyll” – just not

the one I was waiting for

I got all excited. I got excited enough that it actually took me a moment or two to calm down and get suspicious again.

This week’s TVGUIDE announced the presentation of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” an updated version of the 19th century Robert Louis Stevenson work.

The excitement came in that I’ve been waiting for a long time to see more of this very story. The disappointment came in the fact that it arrives in the form of an independent movie presentation on the family-friendly ION network.

While I’m sure that movie will be lovely, it was not – not yet, anyway – the second season premiere of the jaw-dropping BBC America production called “Jekyll,” written by Stephen Moffat and starring the truly astonishing James Nesbitt as both sides of the darkening personality.

As it happens, I’m suspicious enough that I may not tune in.

Oddities

Updated versions of “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” are often cartoonishly over-the-top – note the ridiculous ’90s romantic comedy “Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde” featuring Tim Daly and Sean Young (for their sins). Meanwhile, the BBC America production is note-perfect. Even the relatively high-concept film “Mary Reilly” from the mid-’90s starring Julia Roberts (of all people) and a buzzworthy John Malkovich was a plodding mess compared to the whip-smart “Jekyll.”

This ION movie, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” features Dougray Scott in the dual title role. The good doctor is horrified by the uncontrollable caprice of his murderous darker side and tries to get himself committed, which doesn’t necessarily work for the darker side in question.

Tom Skerrit makes an appearance, but otherwise there aren’t a lot of names attached to the direct-to-cable show.

Hard to know

That being said, it could be quite good. It’s hard to say. I mean, when you’re craving filet mignon, it’s hard to get excited about mystery meat.

But for anyone feeling adventurous, the 2008 TV movie presentation airs Saturday at 8 p.m. on ION. And if it does leave a bad taste in your mouth, BBC America’s much more pulse-pounding episodes should be returning shortly.

And if they don’t – Season Two seems to be a bit up in the air just now – do invest in the DVD set and revel in the magic of the first season. It’s well worth it for the great writing, perfect casting and creepy twists, turns and chills.

But however you encounter it, enjoy the split-level madness that is the strange case indeed of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Features Editor Terry J. Aman compiles the Best Bets for The Minot Daily News.

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