I get a lot of silent visitors to my Lark Rise posts following the showing of the BBC series on Sunday evenings. You are all most welcome and I'd love to hear your comments.
I realised during the first few minutes of the first episode that I would only be able to watch it if I could forget that it was meant to bear any likeness to Flora Thompson's books. Wintry Sunday evenings cry out for a bit of gentle period drama, so I determined to swallow my indignation and my literary taste and to think of it as a sort of nineteenth century prequel to Jam and Jerusalem.
I have tried to enjoy it, really I have! BUT .... the dialogue is terrible, the accents are atrocious, the stories and characters thin and wooden .... I could go on but I know that lots of people are enjoying it. Please, won't someone tell me what I'm missing?
I'm still watching but I haven't a clue why. I think it's apathy, there isn't much else on and I've had a stressful day so I just let it wash over me. I agree with all that you've said though. It isn't up to much and if I have to miss it for any reason or some better series appears elsewhere I shan't be upset.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a waste, isn't it, Cath? Think of what they might have achieved with just a little more imagination.
ReplyDeleteAgree entirely. The only reasons I watch it is that it is part of my 'Sunday Slump' at the end of a busy weekend, and because my son loves it (bizarrely, but since it does not involve swords, guns or bombs, I feel this is somehow a Good Thing and to be encouraged).
ReplyDeleteClearly, the time would be far better occupied by reading a book, but . . . yes, 'apathy' is probably the right word, in the end.
It *is* a waste. I think something much better could have been achieved, perhaps in the way of a docu-drama with unknown actors and a bit more commentary on the way things *really* were. I can't believe things were that clean. I know the children wouldn't been!
ReplyDeleteJuliet, I think I probably would rather read a book but I don't find it easy to get my husband to turn the TV off in the evenings. I could go to another room but I'm loathe to leave the fire. I've become old and enjoy my creature comforts far too much. ;-)
So M, I'm not missing anything here in Kerala ... ?
ReplyDeleteIt's hot, hot, hot here so have repaired to the light and airy verandah of the WiFi hotspot to write and catch up on everyone else's blogs.
Lark Rise on BBC? As you know, based on just one viewing, I put it in the 'tosh, load of old' category.
Glad to hear you had some winter sunshine at last. I'm am trying to ignore the winter clothes stuffed in the bottom of my suitcase, for the return journey.
It's wonderful to hear from you, D. I'm following your travels and hope to seem many more photos when you return. I'm afraid the gloomy weather is back with us but the odd bright day lifts the spirit very well. If we could have your sunshine without the heat, life would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteI promise, you are not missing anything on television!
I am enjoying LRTC even though I agree the plots are ludicrous, dialogue dire, dawn french totally over the top, etc etc etc but as Juliet mentioned the Sunday Slump I think this is why I watch it as well. I occasionally do ironing while it is on or nip out and make a cup of tea, I am watching it in a slothful sort of way really, and then I nip over and watch Kingdom on the other channel afterwards which is even more airy fairy, but again, the kind of relaxing viewing that I enjoy on Sunday evening knowing I have the Commute again the next day.
ReplyDeleteElaine - I didn't realise that was you who left a comment on a previous post!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the slothful slump factor, that's what Sunday evenings are for, after all, but I did find the last episode particularly cringeworthy. I think I'm suffering from acute disappointment.
m. Your comment about reading in accents is fascinating. It's something I hadn't realized that other people did it. Of course, my inner version of a “genteel Edinburgh voice” is most likely completely wrong and I don’t know what Hugh Laurie’s English English sounds like. I’ve only heard his American English on the TV program, “House.” Sorry, correction – Laurie had a small part in “The Man in the Iron Mask,” but his black curly wig was so distracting, I didn’t notice his voice.
ReplyDeleteHugh Laurie plays Bertie Wooster in the 'Jeeves and Wooster' series, e, if you can get that. He's terribly pre-WW11 upper class English in that. What do you think of his attempts at the American accent?
ReplyDeletee, I've just noticed your comment and my reply should be on the post about Alexander McCall Smith's books!
ReplyDeleteI told you to watch out for me. Now, not only my mind, but my comments, wander.
ReplyDeleteI think Laurie's American Englsh is fine. In fact, I didn't realize he wasn't one of us until the show was on a year or two. How does he sound to you?
Jeeves? I just ordered it from Netflix.
I'll try to stay on the right page from now on.
Hugh Laurie sounds okay to me but I thought you might detect that he was a phoney!
ReplyDeleteby sheer blinding coincidence I have just had arrive today in the post the entire jeeves/wooster series 'digitally remastered' no less. Have only just discovered this series so a joy to look forward to
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your post on them, Elaine.
ReplyDeleteOh never fear I shall ramble and rave I have no doubt
ReplyDeleteWhat ho!