TaurusRose

And I repeat. Why the hell did MSNBC pick up Greta Van Sustern? She is not a good fit and I don't like her. She can't help spinning everything she says.

I generally don't read reviews because they usually try too hard to be clever and aren't particularly informative, but I gave this one a shot. My opinion remains unchanged.

I thought you were going to say Dash. LOL

The only thing I would add is though while it is true that the 19th century worldview was definitely from the male POV, it's also true that when a spouse enters the picture, a new bond is formed and most people (male and female) will look to their spouse for counsel, comfort, support, etc. Being the same age doesn't change that dynamic. Victoria's family knew she was stubborn (and a bit flighty) and hoped that Albert would be a steadying influence on her as she continued to grow in her role as queen. Also, those Coburgs thought they'd benefit from Victoria and Albert's union. Ha! AFA Melbourne is concerned, knowing Victoria as he did, he knew he'd be out as soon as she fell in love and married.

Hopefully, future episodes will show just how much big picture knowledge Albert has when compared to Victoria and how this helps her in the long run. I disagree with Albert doesn't recognize Victoria isn't a typical woman. How can he not be aware of the difference in their stations and responsibilities? He can't even propose to her! What you see as patronizing, I see as a direct, serious personality. IMO, Victoria and Albert are a study for opposites attract. As far as Lord M standing his ground over Flora...I didn't see it that way at all. Melbourne gently advised her against any course of action, but Victoria got on her self-righteous high horse and did exactly what she wanted to do, creating a messy scandal in the aftermath.

Well, it wouldn't be the first time.

Arthur remained a tool throughout Merlin's run. IMO, he never became the king he was meant to be, and it annoyed me that the show runners never made good on this promise. He remained arrogant, stubborn and closed minded for the series' entire run. He had flashes of brilliance, then went right back to being a tool. Colin Morgan was delightful in the role, but again the show runners kept him stupid, prone to making the same dumb mistakes again and again. He and Arthur never learned. I'm rewatching the series on Netflix and I'm almost through S4. The decision for Arthur to continue to be easily manipulated and puffed up with his own self-importance grated when I watched real time and it grates now. I liked Gwaine until they started making him the butt of everyone's jokes. This is the first interpretation of Guinevere that I've ever liked though because she was a loyal and faithful consort. (I'm completely ignoring the later foolishness of S4.) But some of Arthur's behavior towards Gwen was vile and she really should have kicked his ass to the curb. Morgana quickly became a one note villain who I couldn't take seriously and Katie McGrath's over the top mugging didn't help. I liked Kilgarrah (RIP John Hurt) and wanted to stab Uther in the eye with a fork every time he opened his hypocritical mouth. And lastly, Sarah Parish was awesome in Beauty and the Beast. Thanks for starting the conversation, GH. Rewatching made me want to bitch about how annoying Arthur was again.

We will have to agree to disagree on this point. I don't see why a dramatization of a real person's life needs to fabricate situations. It bothers me and I will always call foul when I encounter it. Victoria and Melbourne's real relationship provided enough fuel for discontent in their day without the oh so unoriginal idea of unattainable romance. Furthermore, I think this deceit does a huge disservice especially now since people seem more than willing to believe in alternate universes rather than facts despite how relatively easy it is to get the facts.

Lady Emma. To me she just seems like a gossipy busybody. I peg her as someone who is bored and has nothing going on in her own life; therefore, she likes to stir the pot (whether or not it's appropriate) to get a rise out of someone else.

Oh. My. Gosh. He is sooooo cute and an adorable contrast to Albert, but what can I say? I'm Team Albert all the way, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating any scene Ernest is in. LOL I wasn't surprised that Lehzen was in the dark about Penge's linguistic abilities. She clearly thinks herself above everyone else in service to the Queen. I guess it's because she has a title, but still that type of arrogance bugs the crap out of me. I'm predisposed to not like anyone who behaves like her. Both interpretations show Albert to be forward thinking, artistic and passionate. The series is giving more attention to Albert's personality and concerns than the movie did. YV's Albert didn't challenge Victoria as directly as the series' Albert does. Regarding Albert, I can see why some people have a negative impression of him, but in his defense, he's of royal blood, a relative and a contemporary. He's also being trotted out like a prized stallion for Victoria's approval. I can understand why he might be a bit prickly. And regardless of her station, Victoria needs someone to challenge her and make her think for herself. Albert doesn't disrespect Victoria, he wants her to be the best that she can be. Melbourne's deference, flirting and easy approach in handling Victoria doesn't help her be the monarch for a country on the brink of industrialization. As Albert rightly pointed out, Melbourne can't be bothered with the welfare of the people living in slums and poverty, these are conditions the Queen should not ignore. The difference between Albert and Melbourne was clear in the question the Prince posed to Victoria...what did she prefer flattery or truth?

I love dogs, but touché.

The thought wouldn't occur to Lohlein who is German and holds himself to a much higher standard than the riff-raff serving Victoria. Remember how annoyed he was by Penge's idea of shaving and drinking on the job?

I have no idea who Laura Benanti is, but Harriet (Duchess of Sutherland) is the one Ernest likes and Emily (Lady Portman) is the one always making snide remarks to Melbourne. And to be fair, everyone thought they should get married before Albert even showed up. Practically infants by 2017 standards.

I agree about the Melbourne angle. It's a tiresome trope that every couple must be burdened by a third party, moreso when dealing with historical figures when there is no evidence whatsoever to support the tired trope. IMO, these liberties are only done to engage the female audience to deteriorate into shipping wars. I hate it. And I don't know what I hate more--the fact that people allow themselves to be manipulated because they don't know history or the fact that they can't be bothered to research history. Either way, it sucks. There are very few real life great love stories. This was one of them. Why can't it be enjoyed for what it was without making up drama?

I wonder how old 'Dash' is.

This is the episode that got me on board. Okay, I confess. I was waiting for Albert to appear and the real romance to start. I like the chemistry between the actors, so Victoria and her Prince are working for me. Albert's initial discomfort and awkwardness were painful to watch, but I liked how he got Victoria to start looking outside of herself and her privileged world. Of course they grated on each other initially, but the attraction was apparent from their first hello. I'm good with ignoring all the parts of the series that bug me now (the kitchen people and their issues) because I've got Victoria and Albert to fixate on. Oh! And I loved it when she asked if she should ask her question and he replied, "I wish you would." Puppy mention. Dash is too stinking cute. I love him.

I don't believe that Torvi is dead. The arrows weren't in any life threatening places and she still showed signs of life. I agree that Aethelwulf wasn't quite the dunderhead this episode. His scenes with the boys were golden. What did Ecbert say about Judith's brilliant mind? Heh. I've seen no evidence of that and how about show not tell to that end anyway? Yes, this episode was better than last. And Lagertha sure knows how to cook. LOL For real. And for what it's worth, I'm sick of Helga, too at this point.

Or they could be taking a page from the Reign playbook and intentionally conflating people and situations for dramatic license. That series plays fast and loose with all kinds of historical figures and facts.

LOL Okay, I believe mutton is made from sheep (lamb specifically), so it would not have been beef fat dripping on them. Also, I don't think any of the Queen's ladies would be so bold as to bring household matters to her. :-)

1) Have no idea. I know that Victoria did interfere with Peel (or somebody) trying to set up a government by not allowing a change in her ladies. But the rest of it is questionable and IMO the product of dramatic license. 2) See #1. I quite agree with your comments about focus. I was drawn to this series because I thought it would be a more detailed dramatization of Victoria's life (read dig in where Young Victoria painted in broad strokes). They need to remember who this series is about.

Jenna Coleman as Victoria is just not working for me. Her Victoria is just too in your face about her pedigree (as if anyone around her needs a constant primer). Although, I guess I can see her point since she's petite, young and female. But she really is coming across as a bratty, willful little girl who doesn't have a clue. Her only redeeming action last night was commuting the sentence of the Chartists. (I could not believe that drawing and quartering was still on the books. Yikes!) I'm also over the Victoria/Lord M infatuation; although, I do like how Lord M is being portrayed as honorable man and steering her in the right direction (unlike Conroy who has spent all of his time trying to wiggle his way into power). I did not watch Downtown Abbey, but I do know that I don't care about the people in the kitchen. Stop it. I haven't seen Tom Hughes in anything, but he will have to be impressive to wipe Rupert Friend's Prince Albert out of my mind. LOL Here's to hoping the next episode is much, much better.

I was so annoyed by that storyline that I never considered that POV.

This.

Why? The Chinese woman hogged up a lot of screen time and she was completely pointless.

Happy to amuse and entertain. :-) It's an unfortunate aspect of my personality that once I've really been pissed off, I tend to hold a grudge forever. Sleepy Hollow really pissed me off. I don't care about anyone connected to the show, this includes Tom Mison and especially Lyndie Greenwood. It is not my responsibility to keep anyone in a job and if they should lose a job because of 'shit happens,' then join the thousands of people that this happens to everyday due to 'no fault of their own.' I have the ability to watch SH w/o contributing to the Nielsen's, but I would rather pluck out my own eyes than do so. Crane being on trial for Abbie's death does not BRING. BACK. ABBIE. Nor does it make amends for the treatment of a leading lady who happens to be a WoC. Mentioning Abbie every episode does not BRING. BACK. ABBIE. Nor does it make me forget the bullshit they pulled for 2 seasons. And even if were inclined to watch, the addition of magical child would keep me from doing so. I despise precocious children in adult roles. The idea that the Witness has landed in a child's body is insulting beyond belief and fucking skanky to boot. I know there is no one in doubt at this point, but it bears repeating...I am so through with this show. The only thing I want to know about Sleepy Hollow is that it's been cancelled. Period. Oh, yeah. I am doing my 'happy, happy, joy, joy' dance that the ratings continue to sink faster than the Titanic.