Although the text was released as two distinctly different versions with a dropped character and changed ending for American readers additionally adding greater explanation of the British political process, screenwriter Derek Marlowe and directors John Gorrie, Sarah Harding and Brian Mills made a wise decision to not only use the UK version of the book but also retain all four characters. Wisely changing some of the names of actual politicians like Margaret Thatcher (to Hilary Turner), Harold Wilson (to George Bainbridge), Edward Heath (to Henry Lindsey), Reginald Maudling (to Christopher Morland), and James Callaghan (to Kenneth Hollander), it’s the ideal miniseries soap opera for thinking audiences. Despite an absence of any real print restoration which would’ve helped with the dated transfer, First Among Equals stands alongside my very favorite miniseries, including The Thorn Birds and Roots.
While initially — unfamiliar with Archer’s work — I feared that it would completely slant towards the right given his own political leanings, Wikipedia explained that “in Parliament, Archer was on the left of the Conservative Party, rebelling against some of his party’s polices,” and in his very own words once said, “I’m what you might call centre-right but I’ve always disliked the right wing as much as I’ve disliked the left wing." And indeed, he illustrates the hypocrisies of both parties and manages to put his emphasis first and foremost on the characters themselves rather than making them mouthpieces for any strict political rhetoric.
Featuring a nicely divided plot line centering on two members of the Labour Party and two from the Conservative, the title is derived as the “literal translation of the Latin term Primus inter pares,” which can refer to “either the most senior member of a group of equals,” or most likely in this case, “someone who claims to be just one member of a group of equals when in reality he or she completely dominates said group.” While each member of the cast of characters does get their turn to dominate, some are more obvious than others such as the staunch and unscrupulous schemer, Charles Seymour (Jeremy Child), an old-fashioned conservative in every sense who puts his career before everything else, alienating his surprisingly hilarious and unceasingly perceptive wife Fiona (a remarkable Jane Booker) who always sees through Charles’s tricks.
While on the surface everything about Seymour seems like the epitome of old-England and monarchy is practically stamped on his forehead, he gets a remarkable run for his money from the earnest, idealist Simon Kerslake (James Faulkner). Arguably the most likable character of the series — and perhaps one who shares Archer’s own centrist view — Kerslake represents a new face for the conservatives. Not wealthy by any means — he’s the opposite of Seymour in every sense — as one of the few non-lawyers in the house with a background studying literature at Oxford and a wife who is a top doctor (Joanna David) instead of a party-planning socialite, Simon takes his work seriously, although he makes some foolish financial decisions along the way.
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