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Reviews
The Paradise (2012)
I liked it!
It's hard for me not to compare this show to Downton Abbey since both series were airing at the same time. I have to say, I found myself looking way more forward to each episode of The Paradise than to the next episode of Downton Abbey. I found the Paradise to be so light, sweet, and feel-good in comparison to DA. It was also very romantic (with some delicious delayed gratification, even!) and best of all... no controversy!! It wasn't all happy, happy (there was even a little Dickensian villainy (Jonas)) but similar to shows like Larkrise to Candleford, in The Paradise the light aspects far outweigh the dark, and that's what I so prefer, I have to say!
Downton Abbey (2010)
Thanks, and, more please? Warning: plot spoilers!!
I really liked it!! And though I found myself wanting more, more!, I have to admit that the compactness of this series (only 7 episodes) is likely critical to what kept it excellent. Limited to a finite number of episodes, a story can be tight and focused. If this one were to become a permanent serial, silly and "unnatural" (if that word can be applied to fiction) things might have to start happening in order to keep the plot going, and I'd be sorry for that.
As it was, my opinion is, it was excellent, all told. It had so much heart. A lot of feel-good stuff happened and yet it remained intelligent and elegant at the same time (if you ask me). I didn't find it a bit draggy (as I have read in another review here); from the beginning I was enchanted. It was so well turned out, and so nicely written.
In another review here, someone suggests that this production could have been more "daring." But if you ask me, fans of period films like this aren't looking for daring. There's enough daring on TV as it is. I'd say, if you're looking for daring - don't watch a period drama about the lives of Lords, Ladies and scullery maids. In the meantime, let the rest of us savour the lack of 'daring.'
- plot spoilers to follow -
Criticism? Okay, I admit that maybe I did find one or two aspects to the plot somewhat over the top. I won't mention them all. But the whole Pamook thing? I don't know, that above all seemed a bit much. Would Lady Mary have been so easy? I find that hard to believe. Maybe this is where a bit of 'daring' was attempted? And in my opinion, it seemed out of place. I do like how the incident affected her character, though - she became a lot more human and likable. (With the exception of her ongoing nastiness towards Edith. She was way too cruel to Edith, overall, in my opinion, I don't care what Edith may have done or not done to "deserve" it. With all her advantages, Lady Mary should be much kinder and more sympathetic to an inferior sister. I feel sorry for Edith and I'd like to see something good come her way.)
Enough said. Lovely. Well turned out, well written, well acted. Tight. Two major thumbs up from me!