Valentine’s Day approacheth. And what’s better on Valentine’s Day than a love story? A regency-era love story, obviously. (Well, a love story with dragons, sea monsters, and wizards would be a close second.)

As long-time fans of the inestimable Jane Austen, we’ve seen several adaptations of Emma. Each has its own charm and unique approach. But for us, the best is, and probably will always be, the BBC miniseries. Don’t get me wrong: the Gwyneth Paltrow version is good (except I can’t look at Mr. Elton without thinking he’s Floop from the Spy Kids series), and the newest version is excellent (how could it not be with Miranda Hart?).  

But neither of those versions has the same soothing magic as the BBC version. I’ve honestly lost track of how many times we’ve watched through the show. It’s a four-part miniseries that was released in 2009. It’s so wholesome, and you just feel good when you watch it. So that’s why, this week, we’re recommending the BBC adaptation of Emma for your family/just-you-and-your-spouse-without-the-kids to enjoy together this Valentine’s Day. 

Matchmaker, Matchmaker…

I think most ardent Jane Austen fans (and even those who only occasionally dabble) are probably familiar with Emma’s story. Emma Woodhouse’s family has one of the highest social positions in Highbury. After Emma correctly predicts her sister’s marriage to John Knightley, she fancies herself a matchmaker. She finds further confirmation in her prodigious skill when she does the same thing for her governess, Miss Taylor! 

How can such talent possibly go to waste, she wonders. So, when she meets Harriet Smith, a boarder at a local girl’s school, Emma takes her under her wing with the intent of finding Harriet a suitable match.

But that’s not all that’s afoot in Highbury. Excitement arises in the village when Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill return home. Both were born there but were sent to live with family elsewhere when they were still children. Emma fancies herself attracted to the roguish Mr. Churchill, and they plan to throw a ball for the village.

All the while, Emma’s relationship with Mr. George Knightley, her close friend who owns the fancy estate next door, is blooming in the background. Knightley is the only person in Highbury who takes Emma to task for meddling in the name of matchmaking, but despite their passionate arguments about whether or not Emma is right to interfere, the two remain close friends…for the first couple of episodes, at least.

Anyway, Emma’s story revolves around the dynamics and relationships of the villagers. Her attempts to help Harriet secure a match lead to some painfully awkward scrapes. Her unbridled flirtation with Frank leads to even more uncomfortable circumstances. Really, her meddling just lands her in altogether too many messes. But isn’t that what makes the whole thing so much fun?

It Must Be Love!

Emma is all about relationships. And that’s one of the reasons the BBC version is our favorite: it zeroes in on the relationships between the characters and gives them room to develop. With four hour-long episodes to work with, the story is beautifully paced. There is plenty of time for characters to interact with and warm up to one another.

The show’s natural pacing and its simple approach to aesthetics make certain scenes all the more poignant. I have noticed that in many movies or shows, music plays almost too much of a role in evoking emotions. It’s almost like they can’t compel you to feel anything in particular without overdoing it a bit with musical crescendos and crashes and whatnot. I appreciate that in the BBC Emma, the music and presentation are very simple. 

In several scenes with significant emotional impact, there is little-to-no musical accompaniment. It’s all riding on the actors, the way it would be if you were watching it onstage. Even where there is music, it’s usually not heavy-handed. That leaves a kind of emotional void that the actors and the audience have to fill in themselves.

And because the show goes slowly and builds relationships up thoroughly, these scenes don’t need music to make them feel complete. The emotional impact is so thorough that you just feel it through to your core. I have to leave the room every time we get to the Box Hill scene because I just cannot handle how much the embarrassment and harshness of that moment hurt my poor ol’ bones. 

We particularly love the way that the relationship between Emma and Knightley grows in this adaptation. They feel so comfortable and natural together even before their relationship (spoilers for a 200-year-old book) starts to develop beyond friendship, and I think it’s because there’s enough time for their romance to develop fully over the course of the show. The ball scene where they dance together is masterfully done, showing hints that one (or both) of them are starting to realize they have feelings for one another, and it always puts huge smiles on our faces.

Let Us Think of Superior Men

In my humble opinion, the cast and characters of the BBC Emma make it the standout adaptation. The actors convey so much information, emotion, and downright sass with just their faces. I already mentioned how much we love Emma and Knightley, but nearly everybody else holds their own as well. 

Mr. Elton is cringe-tastic in every version, but there’s just something so smarmy about the BBC Elton, who is handsome as well as conceited. Mrs. Elton makes us want to tear our hair out. Miss Bates is appropriately irksome and sympathetic. And the actors playing Jane Fairfax and that rapscallion Frank Churchill do a bang-up job as well.

Although we appreciate pretty much everybody in the show, there are two relatively minor parts that bring us disproportionate enjoyment. First, John Knightley (Mr. Knightley’s brother, who is married to Emma’s older sister) has earned a special place as our spirit animal. He doesn’t show up much, but when he does it’s always with some wry comment or quip about wishing he could be at home instead of out socializing. It makes our homebody souls happy to find such a kindred spirit.

Second, Michael Gambon absolutely crushes his role as Mr. Woodhouse. Despite being a relatively small role, Mr. Woodhouse can add a lot to an adaptation if it’s done well.  Michael Gambon does it well. In some versions, Mr. Woodhouse is pitched as a rather erratic, cooky old guy. I’m not a huge fan of that sort of portrayal. In the BBC version, he’s just an overanxious, doting, somewhat oblivious father. He’s so sweet and absolutely hilarious with his ill-timed comments, which make him feel more like a real person than a caricature of an eccentric dad. 

Who to Watch With

The BBC Emma is eminently clean. It’s a Regency romance, for goodness sake. I think the most scandalous thing that happens is a secret engagement, and that’s only scandalous if (1) you lived in the late 1700s, or (2) you live in modern times and are scandalized by people who don’t announce their engagements on Facebook.

Although younger children might get bored by all of the adults onscreen talking and never doing anything that a child would consider remotely interesting, I would feel comfortable watching it with children. But, since this is a post about Valentine’s Day, Emma may best be watched with your special someone. It’s just sweet, wholesome fun.

A Final Plea to My Fellow Husbands

And now, a word to my fellow husbands. You will note that I recommended that BBC Emma be watched with a special someone. I imagine that many a wife reading this sighed in that moment because their special someone is more afraid of romantic movies than they are of cliff jumping. Michela tells me that she has had several friends ask her in total bewilderment, “But, how do you get Ben to watch that stuff with you? When I ask my husband to do that, he runs away faster than a turkey who’s just found out it’s Thanksgiving.”

I will be honest and say that Michela never had to convince me to watch period dramas with her. I grew up watching them with my family, so it was never a big deal. It never occurred to me that watching these shows could result in a revocation of my man card. (Just to be clear, it doesn’t.)

But if you’re the type of guy who worries about that, I’d say just two quick things: (1) men with happy wives have the most firmly ensconced man cards; and (2) it could be much worse. She could be asking you to watch Twilight.

So this Valentine’s Day, don’t give her the usual excuse that the car broke down overnight when she wasn’t looking and you’ll have to spend aaaaalllll day fixing it so she should just go ahead without you. Sit down, relax, and make your wife happy by watching a romantic show with her. You will be glad you did. You may even find you like it!

If you want to enjoy the BBC Emma this Valentine’s Day, or if your wife is making you watch it with her, you can stream it on HBO Max, or you can rent/purchase it on Amazon.

And if you’re looking for other things to do this weekend, check out our 6 At-Home Date Night Ideas or some of our Favorite Video Games for a Geeky Valentine’s Day. Have a happy Valentine’s Day, everybody!