S01.E01: Inheritance

[Door County Cherry]

Aired originally on 3/31/20
Airs on PBS 1/21/21

Quote

When Eliza Scarlett's father dies suddenly, she's faced with a stark choice. Accept the fact she is now penniless or take on and run her dad's detective business, but can she succeed against all the odds in this male-dominated world?

 

[Scarlett45]

My mom and I give it until the end of the season for William and Eliza to hook up. Stuart Martin was hotter in Jamestown (fewer clothes and no beard), but he’s still fine!!

[HoodlumSheep]

I think the two leads have good chemistry. 

Ms. Scarlet didn't spend too much time in mourning based on how fast her outfits transitioned back to blue. 😛 Tho i guess that goes along with Ms. Scarlet being quite the modern gal...

almost a little too modern maybe? Idk. 

that was totes morwenna from poldark though, wasn't it? She has a pretty recognizable face.

That baddie. My mom and I immediately pointed out the fake beard he was wearing but just assumed it was a make-up/costuming thing and not an actual genius disguise. 

Overall there was something that felt a little off but i can't quite put my finger on it. Still enjoyed it for the most part.

 

Edited January 18, 2021 by HoodlumSheep

[statsgirl]

I liked it more than I thought I would. There is chemistry between the two leads although I don't like how Eliza loses William, who is completely smitten.

Kate Phillips has a lot of charm and it makes me forget Eliza's flaws, at least so far. She should have returned the glass eye to the prostitute; it was a lot of money for her and doubtless contributed to her ability to get well paying clients.

Mr. Parker (Andrew Gower) seemed very familiar, and then I realized that he had played Sherlock Holmes in a couple of episodes of Murdoch Mysteries.

36 minutes ago, HoodlumSheep said:

almost a little too modern maybe? Idk. 

Yes, too modern and too many anachronisms. (How is an 1880s street child supposed to know what a pulse is much less know how to take one?) But if you go beyond that, it could be fun.

[j5cochran]

1 hour ago, HoodlumSheep said:

Ms. Scarlet didn't spend too much time in mourning based on how fast her outfits transitioned back to blue. 😛 Tho i guess that goes along with Ms. Scarlet being quite the modern gal...

The return from mourning clothes bothered me, too (history junkie here!). But after a bit of thought, I wondered if she went back to her regular clothes so that she could attempt to get some detective work. Few will hire a woman, but no one will hire a woman in full-blown mourning.

However, she should have been wearing a veil at the funeral. Showing your tear-ravaged face at the grave of your loved one simply wasn't done!

[Ms Lark]

I actually like this a lot, anachronisms and all. Anachronisms usually turn me off 100%, but it's not quite as bad here as it has been in other shows!

I love the blue suit/dress whatever it is she's wearing. Really gorgeous and suits her very well. Full mourning would be difficult to carry off, although I do agree about not wearing a veil at the funeral.

Looking forward to further adventures!

5 hours ago, HoodlumSheep said:

That baddie. My mom and I immediately pointed out the fake beard he was wearing but just assumed it was a make-up/costuming thing and not an actual genius disguise. 

Same-same. I thought, "What a dreadful makeup job with that beard! And the makeup, too, whoo." I did figure he wasn't her uncle, but didn't guess husband in disguise!

6 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

Stuart Martin was hotter in Jamestown (fewer clothes and no beard), but he’s still fine!!

and

5 hours ago, HoodlumSheep said:

that was totes morwenna from poldark though, wasn't it? She has a pretty recognizable face.

and

4 hours ago, statsgirl said:

Mr. Parker (Andrew Gower) seemed very familiar, and then I realized that he had played Sherlock Holmes in a couple of episodes of Murdoch Mysteries.

Thank you all! I thought they all looked familiar, but couldn't place them. Did like them in all of these previous shows.

[khyber]

I quit about half -way through. They were trying too hard to make the her "modern". It was jarring to me. 

[j5cochran]

13 hours ago, statsgirl said:

Mr. Parker (Andrew Gower) seemed very familiar, and then I realized that he had played Sherlock Holmes in a couple of episodes of Murdoch Mysteries.

I recognized the face and went to IMDB to check him out. I remember him best as Bonnie Prince Charlie in Outlander Season 2. Sniveling, weaselly, God's-anointed, Bonnie stinking Prince Charlie.

[magdalene]

Totally anachronistic but kind of dumb fun.  I am sticking around for now because there is good chemistry between the leads.

[dargosmydaddy]

Well, that was entertaining enough.

I recognized Andrew Gower immediately (and I'm amused how we're all recognizing him from different things... for me he'll always be Cutler from Being Human), but it took me until midway through the second flashback to realize Eliza's father was Mr. Mosely from Downton Abbey.

On 1/17/2021 at 11:27 PM, statsgirl said:

(How is an 1880s street child supposed to know what a pulse is much less know how to take one?)

I kind of took that as a nod towards Eliza's upbringing... she probably would have known how to feel for a pulse at that age, and didn't stop to think that everyone doesn't. Maybe? There were definitely anachronisms, but that particular line really didn't bother me.

Edited January 25, 2021 by dargosmydaddy

[Magnumfangirl]

That was fun.  Yeah, it's not historically accurate; but I'm kinda digging the steam punk vibe.   And William is hawt!  How old is Eliza supposed to be?

[JudyObscure]

On 1/18/2021 at 10:08 AM, khyber said:

I quit about half -way through. They were trying too hard to make the her "modern". It was jarring to me. 

They ruin so many things trying to make them "relevant." If I wanted that I would watch CSI, this is just a modern story in period costumes.  The "she's buddies with the servants," is particularly grating.  I've read enough about real servants of the time and they felt very uncomfortable when put in that no man's land.

[RedbirdNelly]

I enjoyed it and plan to keep watching. 

One detail I enjoyed was the blue dress--she kept wearing it which seemed realistic and not one of those shows where people own 10 million sets of beautiful clothes. 

I did wonder why she did not give back the eye.

[Angeleyes]

I enjoyed this, but was a little disappointed in her first case. It felt a bit rushed at the end. I want to see more of her investigations and not so much “here’s all this information that I suddenly found off camera so Boom! I solved it!” I know the first episode is always about the setup so hopefully the remaining episodes will be better on that front. I enjoyed the humor and the chemistry between the two leads.  

[mammaM]

Remington Steele in the 1800's!😂😂

I know I'm dating myself but that's the vibe I got. I like it so far, anachronisms and all, let's see what next week brings.

[Scarlett45]

On 1/19/2021 at 11:55 PM, Magnumfangirl said:

That was fun.  Yeah, it's not historically accurate; but I'm kinda digging the steam punk vibe.   And William is hawt!  How old is Eliza supposed to be?

I’m guessing between 25-30. Still young but old enough to be expected to be well married with a baby or two by now. 

 

On 1/20/2021 at 8:03 AM, JudyObscure said:

They ruin so many things trying to make them "relevant." If I wanted that I would watch CSI, this is just a modern story in period costumes.  The "she's buddies with the servants," is particularly grating.  I've read enough about real servants of the time and they felt very uncomfortable when put in that no man's land.

I can see her being very close with the head housekeeper. Given they aren’t wealthy or aristocratic, and she was an only child with no mother likely the head housekeeper was the main maternal figure in her life. Seems her father was solidly “middle class” for the Victorian period. He had a business and could afford to send to her a girls school but they only had 1-2 servants (in a world where human labor was very cheap). Her father may have been very good at his job but likely was a poor money manager, and because he worked hard when he told the other businesses “I’m good for it.”, they let it go because they liked him and he did eventually pay, but he was always chasing the next case to make the next set of bills. 
 

Spoiler

Next episode we learn that the house is leased- he didn’t own it, further evidence he didn’t have much money.

 

[seacliffsal]

I enjoyed this and agree with others about the "modernization" of the lead.  She looks mid-late 30s to me.  I did enjoy how they brought her father into the story and hope to keep seeing how he trained her (very similar to Psych and how Henry trained Shawn).

I do appreciate finding out about the glass eye-I did not make that connection.  See how much I need everyone else on this site?

I liked Mr. Parker and wonder if he was gay and that's why he didn't want to marry.

[12catcrazy]

I'm already on the 3rd episode but feel the need to comment on the first one.  Not really feeling this show - yes, very "steampunk" (reminds me of The Wild Wild West in that respect but not with the Bond-ish over the top of that show) and I think the lead is too old.  She looks as somebody else commented, mid 30s, which nowadays is still a young woman but then - you're talking old maid; which is fine if that is the angle you're going for but I don't think that's the case here.  It's like they're writing her as "young" but she isn't, and it kind of bugs me.  

So obvious that she and the Police Detective are going to wind up a couple.  Not even a case of "will they or won't they".  And yeah, this is more of a modern show cosplaying 1880 something.   I'll keep watching but so far, not impressed. 

[rove4]

On 1/18/2021 at 9:08 AM, khyber said:

I quit about half -way through. They were trying too hard to make the her "modern". It was jarring to me. 

Well, throughout history there have always been women who were ahead of their time. Otherwise women still wouldn't have the vote and we wouldn't have women physicians, lawyers, engineers, elected officials, etc.  Thank goodness for all the women who have colored outside the lines! 

[taanja]

On 1/18/2021 at 3:55 PM, magdalene said:

Totally anachronistic but kind of dumb fun.  I am sticking around for now because there is good chemistry between the leads.

Same! I just discovered this show last week and have been catching up. I think I'm on ep 3 or 4 by now.

Anyway ... I wasn't sure if I would like it cuz I'm not particular about mysteries but I am finding the whole series quite charming. And it's because of the obvious and very cute chemistry between the two lead actors.

I'm in all the way.

[pezgirl7]

I came across this photo and thought it was sweet, and a bit more romantic than the actual scene, since you can't see Eliza's slightly annoyed/apprehensive face!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-XR35ZnZ1s/

 

[Driad]

I enjoy the intro sequence with things happening backwards (gun firing, paper burning, etc.), probably representing how a detective traces clues back to whodunit.

[Nolefan]

After rewatching the show a second time — okay, a tenth time (I really need a S2) — I suddenly had a new take on the scene between Eliza and William at Henry’s gravesite — that maybe there is another level to their conversion that shows where they are at with each other in their relationship. What sparked my fresh take on the scene was Kate Phillips’ latest interview with Masterpiece. She stated that one of the things she liked about William’s character is his capacity to love. When William attempted to comfort Eliza by telling her about Henry’s love for Eliza’s mother — and how the time from her death only made Henry hurt more — and that Eliza should think about how her parents were now reunited, I said to myself, “Wow, that is really an emotionally sensitive thing to say,” and William’s choice of how to view the situation was, well, incredibly romantic. It seems to me that William “understood” the pain Henry felt, and I wonder if it is because William knows the pain of unrequited love himself because has been secretly carrying a torch for Eliza since around the time he kissed her (and was rejected by her), which was also mentioned in this episode. And as for Eliza, her response was interesting, too — now she is all alone. I think Eliza is suffering from some underlying abandonment issues due to her mother’s early death and Henry maybe “checking out” on her with his drinking, gambling, and unexpected death. I was wondering if this is one of the things driving her fierce need for independence— she doesn’t want to have to rely on anyone — insert William here— because she is afraid it will just end in more heartbreak for her.

[Trey]

I saw this for the first time last night.  I enjoyed it although the anachronisms did take me out of it somewhat. But I will continue to watch it - it comes on at a good time for me and fills in for the shortened season of Murdoch Mysteries.

I thought it was pretty bad of Eliza not to give the glass eye back to the prostitute.

Regarding Eliza's age, the actress is 31 so I imagine Eliza would be about the same.

I did like her father showing up at the end to speak to her - hope he pops in every now and then.

If she does not want William, I will gladly take him🙂

[Nolefan]

8 hours ago, Trey said:

I saw this for the first time last night.  I enjoyed it although the anachronisms did take me out of it somewhat. But I will continue to watch it - it comes on at a good time for me and fills in for the shortened season of Murdoch Mysteries.

I thought it was pretty bad of Eliza not to give the glass eye back to the prostitute.

Regarding Eliza's age, the actress is 31 so I imagine Eliza would be about the same.

I did like her father showing up at the end to speak to her - hope he pops in every now and then.

If she does not want William, I will gladly take him🙂

Glad you started watching!! The show creator, Rachael New, stated that Eliza is 26 and William is 29. Personally, I think she does want William. I just think (1) she is a lot better at hiding her feelings than he is (and I think she has not even admitted to herself/realized just how attracted she is to him, hence all the arguing she does with him all the time) and  (2) it is a much more complicated situation for her because she has to choose between having a career or having a man due to the time period. 

[Johannah]

Just caught this show.  I've only seen the first season and all I can find other than that is mid-way through season 3, so I'm just waiting for season 2 to cycle back.  And to catch the first 20 minutes I missed.

Anyway, I really like it.  I don't usually read/watch period pieces, so unless one of them whips up a TV dinner in a microwave, I'm happily oblivious.

I thought the lead actor was Hugh Jackman at first.

Don't really have much to add, especially since I watched the first season before I found this thread and it's running together, but I'm looking forward to season 2 and beyond!

[taanja]

22 hours ago, Johann said:

Just caught this show.  I've only seen the first season and all I can find other than that is mid-way through season 3, so I'm just waiting for season 2 to cycle back.  And to catch the first 20 minutes I missed.

Anyway, I really like it.  I don't usually read/watch period pieces, so unless one of them whips up a TV dinner in a microwave, I'm happily oblivious.

I thought the lead actor was Hugh Jackman at first.

Don't really have much to add, especially since I watched the first season before I found this thread and it's running together, but I'm looking forward to season 2 and beyond!

I hope you enjoy it! I have found all the characters to be charming. I am usually not into mysteries but this one seems different. By that I mean -- it's more about the relationships than the mystery of the week -- for me anyway.

[Johannah]

9 minutes ago, taanja said:

I hope you enjoy it! I have found all the characters to be charming. I am usually not into mysteries but this one seems different. By that I mean -- it's more about the relationships than the mystery of the week -- for me anyway.

LOL.  I'm just the opposite.  I'd rather watch procedurals and get annoyed if they spend time on the characters' personal life.  For some reason, I'm not minding it here.  I'm enjoying the show as a whole, so, I guess they're doing it right as far as I'm concerned.   Hope it keeps us both satisfied and enjoying it.

Thanks for the welcome!