Haven't yet seen the 2nd episode of GE (but I have it on DVR).  I'm leaning (as you know) with Eric here.  I really missed the great boxing scene in the brewery courtyard between Pip and Herbert.  It not only serves as a precursor to their later meeting, it explains so much about Herbert's character.

On another note, I thought I'd direct you to the "Dickens Project" page which has a birthday image of Dickens... even goofier than my cake.  There's also an interesting collection of advertisements from Our Mutual Friend.  Above, just one example, is an ad for Antihelminthic Bon-Bons... which itself opens a window (as it were) on the periled of Victorian domestic life.  The chemist and druggist, Thomas Keating (1787-1870), was well known for his manufactured remedies... including a famous cough drop.

Another successful "chemist" was Thomas Holloway, who produced many medicines, including the ointment (below), with an implausible testimonial beneath it.

“Benjamin Cox, Esquire, Magistrate, said that he knew a man who had been in the infirmary and was actually turned out as incurable. On his way home, he purchased at Ennis, Holloway's Pills and Ointment, for, as he said, it could not be worse with him. This man, said Mr. Cox, became by their use as sound and as healthy as any man in the room. These celebrated Pills and Ointment, when rubbed upon the skin, will cure any wound, sore, or ulcer, however long standing, if properly used according to the printed directions."

Alan (Helminth-Free for over 40 years)