Brit costume drama roundup

[bigboobedcanuck]

Over the holidays I watched Cranford and Return to Cranford for the second time. Very enjoyable once again! It has been a few years, and I didn't remember much, which was nice. Of course I enjoyed Tom Hiddleston (with blond curls, bless him!) in the second series. Never has brushing flour off a lady's skirt been more enticing. Judi Dench is just

Comments

[broadlicnic]

Thomas is still my favourite character, but I too am annoyed about his reverting back to how he was in season 1. Season 2 gave him some good character development, with the poor blind guy, and a developing friendship with Sybil when they worked in the hospital, and then that carried over to season 3 with his reaction to Sybil's death. And after everything that happened with Jimmy, you'd think there'd be some follow-up. They spoke maybe twice, none of it acknowledging anything that came before, but otherwise Thomas' entire character growth was forgotten.

I likewise hated the kitchen love square of Daisy, Alfred, Ivy and Jimmy, but at least Alfred and Ivy have left now, so that's over. The only thing I actually found compelling was Anna's rape, horrible but brilliantly realised as it was. Even Mary's grief over Matthew was pointless. It was basically a bunch of random guys going "your husband's dead, let's get married!" every week.

[bigboobedcanuck]

Yeah, I was really disappointed in how things went with Jimmy, who turned into a real bore and prat, and it was as if S3 never happened. And I mean, at this point why would anyone listen to what Barrow says?? Just ignore him, people.

It was basically a bunch of random guys going "your husband's dead, let's get married!" every week.

Yup. Sigh.

[oleander9999]

I've watched all of S4 including the special, too, and thanks for your great thoughts on it; I can't talk to any of my friends about it 'til PBS airs it! I find that I've made my peace with Downton: it's ridiculous, vapid, stupidly-paced, and the character development feels like a total crapshoot, but I seem to have decided not to care. I love the premise, even when it's constantly betrayed and cheapened, I adore the clothes (I didn't think anything could be more gorgeous than the Edwardian wardrobe, but the Twenties clothes take my breath away, and the sets and scenes for the London Season were dazzling.) The one story that really annoyed me was Rose and the black musician. Pretty much in the same way as the Thomas and Jimmy story. If you don't really care about the controversial subject you're injecting into the story, please just leave it out. It's like Julian Fellowes put up a poster for civil rights or gay rights, a poster that lasts for weeks, only it never leaves the second dimension

[bigboobedcanuck]

Yeah, in S3 I realized I would have to really lower my DA expectations. I do still enjoy the show a lot despite my gripes, largely due to the actors and yes, the clothes! :)

It's like Julian Fellowes put up a poster for civil rights or gay rights, a poster that lasts for weeks, only it never leaves the second dimension.

ITA. I liked the musician actor, but it felt so Very Special Episode of Downton.

perhaps we're watching great characters being moved around a chess board by someone who has no idea of the rules, but the chess pieces are still beautifully carved and detailed?

I think that's a great way to put it! Some people are just disasters as showrunners even while creating amazing characters and dramatic moments. It's such a clusterfuck, but with moments of brilliance.

[ramie_k]

I've never heard of Death Comes to Pemberley, but now I'm intrigued! I LOVE P&P. Is it on Netflix?

[bigboobedcanuck]

It just aired on BBC in late Dec, so I imagine it will be a while before it's available on Netflix. I downloaded it. Hope you can see it soon!