Quote:
"I finally picked up Volume 1 last Sunday and finished watching it last night. I love this show. I did watch it when it was originally on, but haven't not seen it since. Never had any recordings on video or the previous VHS releases, and never saw any of the later reedited versions done in the mid-90s, so this was almost like watching a brand new show for me.
It is kind of annoying that the plot suddenly wraps up and changes to a new story about halfway through, but once you get pass that slight awkwardness, it's not too bad. I enjoyed all of the episodes and was pleasantly surprised to find it even better than I remembered it being. The loss of the Old Indy bookends and other bits and pieces don't really bother me since I'm not exactly used to the original episodes, though I do wish Lucas had just approached this like any other regular series with individual 40-something minute episodes that play out in a usual fashion. From what I understand, episodes originally jumped around in continuity from one week to the next, so it's no wonder the show had the audience reception it did. And I still wish there had been some bonus features related to the show itself, like commentaries, cast/crew interviews, "making of" documentary.
But either way, I'm very impressed with this show. I finished off Volume 1 much sooner than I thought I would, so now I'm anxious to get the next two and work my way through those episodes. Looking forward to it.
Oh yeah, I love Lloyd Owen as Henry Sr. I was wondering if he'd been cast because of his voice or if he had purposely studied Connery in order to do a "younger" impression. But he nailed it perfectly, and at times sounds exactly like Connery, especially those "Junior!" moments. I just wish he was in more episodes."
I agree, Volume 1 of the YIJC is excellent. It's probably my least favorite of all three volumes, but it's still great. I appreciated it a lot more after watching it last October than I did when I first saw the episodes back in the '90's.
Corey Carrier as the small IJ may be insignificant to some, but in many of these shows you see hints of who the IJ character will become later. However, these episodes are great in their own right as well.
Some of my favorites from the Volume 1 Correy Carrier episodes include: Peking 1910, British East Africa 1909, Benares 1910, France 1909? (with Picasso), "Travels with Father", Vienna 1909? (with Princess Sopie), and most of the others.
The episode where Carrier is obviously older (because it was filmed much later) is somewhat off-putting, but I do understand the reasons behind this.
Also, it's very significant that in these episodes you see the good relationship he had with his mother, making the later SPF episodes where he talks about her very poignant.
Also great in Volume 1 were the first four SPF episodes, "Princeton 1916, Mexico 1916, Ireland 1916, and London 1916". London is probably one of the best episodes in the series.