British Drama

Call the Midwife: (2012-Present, in my opinion, you can skip the 4th series) When I first saw the preview for this series, my first reaction was, “a series about giving birth, no thank you!”  However my Mother convinced me that we should give a try, just to see if it was any good.  And as usual, she was right.  It was very good and so much more than mothers giving birth but about the lives of the Midwifes and the people they serve!  Although I do have to say that the series “perked” up more when “Chummy” (Miranda Hart) entered the scene.  Of course the “core” main characters are the ones responsible for a “making” or “breaking” of a series.  

And I was a bit skeptical because the only actresses I recognized were Jenny Agutter and Pam Ferris! I felt it was a bit risky to have so many “unknowns” but apparently they chose wisely.  Now unfortunately the 4th series falls short, very short in fact.  When you take away several “core” characters and some that are not returning, you get an unhappy audience that was relying and expecting something quite different.  Being a fan of the show I am willing to “hang-in-there” to see what the 5th series has to bring but if it doesn’t then I’m afraid they are going to loose viewers and quickly. 

Downton Abbey (2011-Present - Series 1-3, 4 you can skip, 5 redeems itself and of course we are all waiting for the series finale) Now I am sure I do not have to explain this series since it is widely popular and if you have never heard of it, I would have to wonder where you have been?!  With that said, when a series such as this reaches the fame that it has, it is difficult for every one involved to find a way to end it “gracefully” or even end it at all!  In my opinion I felt it could have ended at Series 3 because all the loose ends were tied up in a nice little bow, but no!  Julian Fellows had to come up with another series, which I feel, made it into one big mess yet again!  And I am so tired of the constant suffering of Anna and Bates!  It has to end, there needs to be some happiness in this series!!  

Now that I have gotten my rant out of the way lets move on to Series 5, this series completely redeems the entire series!  This one focuses more on the mature characters, such as the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) and Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern), even with the downstairs with the Head Butler Carson (Jim Carter) and Head Housemaid Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan).  It will be very interesting to see how Downton will come to a close in the upcoming, much anticipated, final series 6.  

Last Tango in Halifax (2012 – Present – However Series 4 will be the last one)  Starring the amazing Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid.  Now I was very hesitant to watch this, as a matter of fact I didn’t when it first came out.  I’m afraid that it actually took my Mother to convince me to watch this—you see I saw the first episode and it started with a dramatic fight so since I figured since I saw enough of that in retail I didn’t need to watch this on my “off” time!  And with hesitancy I revisited it again…and I have to admit it grew on me, it’s comforting to watch people’s lives that are more screwed up then yours.  

With that said the series, once you get started, is very addictive to watch because everyone’s lives change so dramatically that sometimes you cannot believe what you are watching!  It starts with Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) finding his first love Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) on Facebook through his grandson’s suggestion.  They meet and know immediately that they have always loved each other.  That day they decide they want to get married.  When Celia’s daughter, Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) and Alan's daughter, Gillian (Nicola Walker) picks up their prospective parents, they are hit with this news.  As I am sure you can guess the roller coaster only gets “rocky-er” from here and I do have to say it is worth the ride!  

All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1980 – based on James Herriot’s books – however it continued till 1990 the rest based on separate scripts – My Suggestion is to Watch Series 1-3 because the chemistry with "Helen" (Carol Drinkwater) was perfect—unfortunately when they changed the actress after Series 3 it was not the same) Now who would not want to watch a young country vet, James Herriot (Christopher Timothy), just starting out – Especially when you are surrounded by such characters as the flamboyant owner, Siegfried Farnon (Robert Hardy) and his  lackadaisical brother Tristan Farnon (Peter Davison), of course being able to watch a young romance blossom between Helen and James is a major plus!

Yes, this is an older series however it does not feel dated—it has a subtle charm and leaves you with a comforting feeling.  It is a series you can rely on – to me this is definitely an “Essential” (to coin a phrase from my favorite channel, Turner Classic Movies) as far as British Television is concerned.

More Coming Soon!