Comments on Episode 8

The creative genius behind the Harry Potter stories, who needs no introduction from me, stated after she had finished her novels that the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albert Dumbledore, was gay. In a subversive way, the TV Series reflected this by picking an actor who everyone knew to be gay, Rupert Eversage. In Britain, no comment was ever passed on this especially as his age, rather young for the part, was more likely to raise the ire of fans.

So when thinking of a charismatic gay actor to play Pietro, Rupert was very much at the forefront of my mind. I called Ed in, asking him if he was prepared to take a courageous step in his career. I told him that his girlfriend, Kate, had come such a long way and that for someone like him to have sex with girls like Tabitha was not really making an equivalent sacrifice. I told him about the actor we were thinking of casting and the bond of trust that had grown over the years between the two men probably persuaded him. I assured him that if he felt he could not perform the role that we would find somebody else, although that would have led to a massive risk with the rest of the cast.

Rupert was, not surprisingly, more enthusiastic, describing it is a break through role, adding that he had seen me in action and thought he could have done better – well, he would have enjoyed it more. His one concern was that he would be having sex with 2 former pupils, but I told him no-one was wearing uniform, except perhaps Natalie and she was quite blasé about the whole exercise. Rupert revealed that he had not fucked a girl since his twenties, but said that since he loved Natalie as a person, it should not be too hard … or is that, he would be hard?

The long and the short of it is that Ed got through the final scene in his own version of heaven and hell. He told me he would not be happy to do it again, but was glad he was brave enough to have tried and succeeded (Author’s Note: suck seeded? Ha!) this time. Rupert confessed to me he wished he had been able to dish out proper discipline at Hogwarts, to the older pupils, of course, and the teachers. The only person who was not happy about the proceedings was Kate, who found solace with you know who and she dressed up like Hermione. I shall leave you to guess which Hermione!

I would like to make a couple of points about the plot for this episode. First the brimstone, although it happened in the Boccaccio, was difficult to explain. I am guessing the wife must have aired the place before the gigolo’s visit, but then it would not have taken a great deal of thought to foresee the consequences. Second the discovery, because in the original an ass steps on his hand, but it was much less work and speeded the plot along to have Rupert do it. We still needed the labourers to explain why Ed could not escape.

A bit of a naughty joke at the end, which did leave Ariana in confusion with the overdose of innuendo, so that look on her face did not require much acting. Just to be clear, Dione was not referring to metaphorical sword.