Beauty and the Beast

Recap
Beauty and the Beast is a television series in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It reimagines the classic fairy tale of the same name, combining elements of romance, mystery, and fantasy. In A Happy Life, Catherine has doubts that she can continue her relationship with Vincent.
Review
Catherine Chandler (Linda Hamilton), a successful Assistant District Attorney in New York City, becomes entangled with Vincent after he saves her life when she is attacked. Vincent (Ron Perlman) is a man with a disfigurement that gives him the appearance of a lion, yet under his savage exterior lies the heart of a noble beast. Vincent was raised in a hidden underground community by Father (Roy Dotrice) beneath the busy streets of the city. Catherine and Vincent share a kind of psychic bond and Vincent especially can sense Catherine and her emotions. The Underground is a kind of utopian sanctuary but must always remain secret. On the twentieth anniversary of her mother’s death, Catherine struggles trying to find happiness and contentment, knowing her life with Vincent must always remain hidden and they will most likely never have children. Vincent, realizing that he must let Catherine go in order for her to live “A Happy Life”, stops their relationship and retreats into the tunnels he calls home. Catherine visits a friend, Nancy (Betsy Brantley) in the suburbs, and after finally confiding in Nancy, what is happening, Nancy convinces Catherine that the home with the white picket fence and the children isn’t as perfect as it always seems and that everyone must follow their heart. Catherine now realizing that her life with Vincent is what she not only wants, but what she needs, rushes back to the city and into his arms.
Beauty and the Beast is one of those magical shows that had the perfect cast and amazing writing. In most episodes, there is some sort of physical danger that presents itself, either to Catherine or to the inhabitants of the tunnels, and every so often, to Vincent, who often uses his beast like tendencies to save the ones he loves. As Catherine and Vincent develop a deep bond, they navigate the challenges posed by society’s prejudices, threats from criminals, and the mysteries of Vincent’s past. Catherine often seeks Vincent’s help in cases that require his unique abilities, while Vincent struggles with his beastly nature and desires to live a more normal life. The series explores themes of love, acceptance, and the struggle between inner beauty and outward appearance, all set against a backdrop of urban life and fantastical and Shakespearean elements. Their relationship faces various obstacles, including antagonists who seek to exploit Vincent and the societal pressures that threaten their love. With most episodes presenting some kind of danger or villain, A Happy Life sets itself apart, as the only drama comes from internal motivations and doubt. Would Catherine’s mother be proud of her now, 20 years after her death? Can Catherine have a happy life while never being able to completely share her world with Vincent? The only danger was the emotional pain that they both feel and the knowledge that their love would never be fully accepted.
Beauty and the Beast was created by Ron Koslow who also wrote A Happy Life with many other episodes written by George R.R. Martin whose book series A Song of Ice and Fire would become a wildly popular hit television series Game of Thrones. Beauty and the Beast had a kind of poetry that I have never seen in any other series and its very essence lies in the softness and compassion that Vincent, a man who should be so angry at the world, has for all life and all people. As I watched this episode again in preparation for this article, I was struck by just how amazing Ron Perlman’s portrayal of Vincent is. The actor, mostly known for playing tough guy roles like Hellboy was given a chance to truly show a softer tender side and he does it with such ease and believability that you just feel that it is coming from his own heart. And Linda Hamilton matches this with her own strength coupled with tenderness. In A Happy Life Nancy relates back to Catherine that out of all their friends, Catherine is the one that has gone on the biggest personal journey as she went from being a rich society girl to a genuine person trying to help those in need. This change is due to having been attacked, but also due to her involvement with Vincent. Linda Hamilton is also known for playing the strong and tough central female character in the first two Terminator movies, both directed by James Cameron who she would marry and divorce. Both actors do such a wonderful job that the audience relates to them fully and is pulled in to their world with such passion and genuine emotion.
In addition to the writing and the performances, the production design creates a world that combines fantasy elements with real world settings. The Tunnels that Vincent calls home could have been so cold, but instead, the use of warm hues, candles and stacks of books and antiques set a world of intellectual excellence as well as artistic mastery, this is often juxtaposed with the stark grittiness of the real world. And if all that wasn’t good enough, the original music composed for the series perfectly sets every scene and adds to the emotional impact of the total production. I would not be lying if I said that this series made me laugh, made me cry more than once, made me happy, made me romantic and made me love poetry and Shakespeare. It influenced my life in ways I cannot even articulate. It has made myself and my husband truly believe in the tag line “Once Upon A Time Is Now”.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Beauty and the Beast is a poignant tale about finding beauty in the most unexpected places and the transformative power of love.
You can find episodes of Beauty and the Beast on You Tube.
Televisions Greatest Episodes: A Happy Life from Beauty and the Beast (1988)
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Acting - 10/1010/10
- Music - 10/1010/10
- Production - 10/1010/10