too many typical TV tropes

jttaa

I like a lot of the "old school" BBC/ITV series, but I've noticed that their more recent period dramas are trying to cater too hard to the US crowd. This is disappointing, because I always enjoyed shows from the UK because the characters always seemed more realistic and relatable, from the aristocrats to the scullery maids. Some of the stereotypes portrayed in this series are the exact reason I disliked Downton Abbey-- They seem to have too many goofy Hallmark-character traits... the dark brooding alpha male who strays with the hired help yet is always forgiven, the blue eyed blond virgin sexpot ubergirl, the spinster, the fallen whore woman with child... Denise seems like an OK innocent character at first, but then I realize that she's unwittingly and unforgivably throwing all of her female co-workers under the bus at one point or the other with a big smile on her face. Blondie gets coddled like the favorite daughter of the store, whole the stereotypical brunette "whore" gets slighted, and the elderly matron manager is made to look like a fool, and it makes me cringe. Morey seems downright unlikable, although I get the impression that he's supposed to be one of the "good guys". I want to tell the monied heiress who chased him, "Run AWAY! He just wants your money while he bonks the shop girls!" I can't give it no stars, since I usually enjoy watching anything based on historical events.

score 3/10

jttaa 12 November 2016

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3579120/