All Creatures Great And Small (2021) - General Discussion

[Daff]

Oh, one thought I don’t think anyone has shared...the intro art-work is very similar to the artwork in the intro to Durrells (just Dales instead of Corfu). 

[PhoneCop]

3 hours ago, tljgator said:

The landscape continues to be gorgeous. I'd probably be happy if they just drove from farm to farm for most of the show. *sigh*

Same. The landscape porn is fabulous.

I guess it's a combination of Samuel West not looking his age and 54 not being what it used to be, but I'm still agog that he and Callum Woodhouse were cast as brothers when one is literally the twice the age of the other. 

[peacheslatour]

I love that they did the dog nobody wanted to deal with. He was so fierce and so they all kept saying "yes, erm, well, he looks pretty lively to me."

[JudyObscure]

19 hours ago, HoodlumSheep said:

Tricki woo was great this episode. Lololol. 

 

 I know it was to add more humor, but siegfried not giving the german shepherd a full check up...you're a vet, dude. 

 

 

Tricki Woo and Tristan were fabulous, this is my favorite episode so far.  My hat's off to the person who trained Tricki Woo because I don't think Peke's are exactly  crowding out the Golden Retrievers and Labs at the canine acting schools.

I kept expecting Siegried or Tristan to muzzle the German Shepherd.  When we come up the ramp to my vets, they hear her earsplitting  bark and have out the muzzle and the welders gloves by the time we walk in.  They're only partly kidding -- she's a Mini-Dachshund.

[Blergh]

10 hours ago, PhoneCop said:

Same. The landscape porn is fabulous.

I guess it's a combination of Samuel West not looking his age and 54 not being what it used to be, but I'm still agog that he and Callum Woodhouse were cast as brothers when one is literally the twice the age of the other. 

The late Robert Hardy was born in 1925 (Original Siegfried) while Peter Davison( Original Tristan) was born in 1951 but they definitely worked as brothers when the OAC debuted in 1978 so this hasn't been so jarring to me.

[Doublemint]

The whole Tricki Woo part was not great.   In the books Tricki became part of the Skedale pack with the 5 resident dogs.   In this episode we saw no other dogs living there.   Where were they?  This was off to me.   I would have loved to see Tricki scampering with the pack and ratting in the hen house!   That doesn't compare to a hamper of treats.  That said, I'm enjoying the series, even thought it's taken on a life of it's own.

[peacheslatour]

3 minutes ago, Doublemint said:

The whole Tricki Woo part was not great.   In the books Tricki became part of the Skedale pack with the 5 resident dogs.   In this episode we saw no other dogs living there.   Where were they?  This was off to me.   I would have loved to see Tricki scampering with the pack and ratting in the hen house!   That doesn't compare to a hamper of treats.  That said, I'm enjoying the series, even thought it's taken on a life of it's own.

It's so weird to me that they don't have any dogs. What happened to that golden from the first episode?

[dargosmydaddy]

17 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

It's so weird to me that they don't have any dogs. What happened to that golden from the first episode?

The golden has been seen frequently until this episode . I agree it would have been nice to see Tricki and Jessie (I think that's the golden's name) interact... maybe the actors didn't get along? :)

[Ilovepie]

42 minutes ago, Doublemint said:

The whole Tricki Woo part was not great.   In the books Tricki became part of the Skedale pack with the 5 resident dogs.   In this episode we saw no other dogs living there.   Where were they?  This was off to me.   I would have loved to see Tricki scampering with the pack and ratting in the hen house!   That doesn't compare to a hamper of treats.  That said, I'm enjoying the series, even thought it's taken on a life of it's own.

This is how I remember this story going too, but I feel artistic changes have been made to incorporate Tristan into the story more. It also seems they are combining multiple stories into each episode, in this case Tricki Woo and Clancy.

This show is different than the books, but I still like it, and I am enjoying the actors playing these characters this go around.

[PhoneCop]

11 hours ago, Blergh said:

The late Robert Hardy was born in 1925 (Original Siegfried) while Peter Davison( Original Tristan) was born in 1951 but they definitely worked as brothers when the OAC debuted in 1978 so this hasn't been so jarring to me.

Yeah, I should've added that it doesn't take me out of the show or come across as a father lecturing a son at any point—after all, there are RL siblings with age gaps like that (and bigger!). It's just sort of an interesting casting choice on paper because I think the Sinclairs were only about four years apart; I almost wonder if it was some kind of deliberate nod toward the Hardy/Davison pairing.

[Red Bridey]

I loved the original series to death. I loved watching it with my mother, who always called it "All Creatures Big and Little." We read all the books. I have a copy of Herriot's cat stories because I am a cat lover. I didn't think I could possibly like a different version, but I love this show so much, I can't even stand it. After the first episode I stopped comparing versions, actors, and plotlines, and anxiously await Sunday night for a new installment (well, actually Monday because I dvr it!). It delights me in a way I can't explain, regardless of any variation from the original books. 

[peacheslatour]

39 minutes ago, Red Bridey said:

I loved the original series to death. I loved watching it with my mother, who always called it "All Creatures Big and Little." We read all the books. I have a copy of Herriot's cat stories because I am a cat lover. I didn't think I could possibly like a different version, but I love this show so much, I can't even stand it. After the first episode I stopped comparing versions, actors, and plotlines, and anxiously await Sunday night for a new installment (well, actually Monday because I dvr it!). It delights me in a way I can't explain, regardless of any variation from the original books. 

You should have seen me the first time I saw the ads for it. "SQUEEEEEE!!!" My poor husband.

[Quilt Fairy]

On 2/1/2021 at 1:36 PM, Daff said:

Oh, one thought I don’t think anyone has shared...the intro art-work is very similar to the artwork in the intro to Durrells (just Dales instead of Corfu). 

I hate the intro!  The real Dales are so beautiful that having these rather cartoony (IMO) pictures for the into is ridiculous.  

Tristan was a lot more tolerable when he was played by Peter Davison.  

[Shanna Marie]

8 hours ago, dargosmydaddy said:

The golden has been seen frequently until this episode . I agree it would have been nice to see Tricki and Jessie (I think that's the golden's name) interact... maybe the actors didn't get along? 🙂

That's what I was wondering. I would have thought there would be story potential in the new dog moving into Jess's territory, but it's entirely possible that the dog actors didn't get along, or there were too many logistical complications in coordinating the guest dogs to have the regular dog around. Tricki reminded me way too much of my ex-SIL's dog, who looked a lot like that and who was treated in much the same way (she didn't buy dog food for the dog, just fed it hot dogs and slipped it bites off her own plate when it begged, so the dog was both spoiled and malnourished while still being a bit overweight).

This show is definitely comfort viewing. I love animals but can't have one in my house due to allergies, so I'm vicariously snuggling all the dogs, cats, and horses. And then there's the scenery.

[humbleopinion]

The food porn is hot, too.

The thick sandwich James got after birthing the calf.

The farmer's breakfasts.

The roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings and more gravy please.....

The ham Tricki Woo pulled out of the basket.

The meat treats Mrs. Pumphreys was taking out of a Faberge egg for Tricki Woo.

[peacheslatour]

11 hours ago, Shanna Marie said:

That's what I was wondering. I would have thought there would be story potential in the new dog moving into Jess's territory, but it's entirely possible that the dog actors didn't get along, or there were too many logistical complications in coordinating the guest dogs to have the regular dog around. Tricki reminded me way too much of my ex-SIL's dog, who looked a lot like that and who was treated in much the same way (she didn't buy dog food for the dog, just fed it hot dogs and slipped it bites off her own plate when it begged, so the dog was both spoiled and malnourished while still being a bit overweight).

This show is definitely comfort viewing. I love animals but can't have one in my house due to allergies, so I'm vicariously snuggling all the dogs, cats, and horses. And then there's the scenery.

When I was a kid my dog had puppies. My BFF's mom took one. She took the dog to McDonalds and fed him hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes. The poor thing was never house trained or groomed. He was a filthy, malnourished mess. I regret letting her take that pup to this day.

[Blergh]

6 minutes ago, peacheslatour said:

When I was a kid my dog had puppies. My BFF's mom took one. She took the dog to McDonalds and fed him hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes. The poor thing was never house trained or groomed. He was a filthy, malnourished mess. I regret letting her take that pup to this day.

Mrs. Pumphrey had the worst dietary ideas for dogs but at least she made sure Tricki was immaculately cleaned . Oddly enough, the show has never addressed whether Tricki has been in any way housetrained - or if Mrs. Pumphrey just had everything swept up/mopped after he did his business.

[tennisgurl]

I just caught up with this show, and I really like it so far. I remember watching a bit of the older show as a little kid at a relatives house (vaguely?) but that's my only experience with this story so I am just watching the show as is with no book to compare it to. They sound like quite nice stories, and that this is a good adaptation, lots of cute animals and likable characters and the scenery is amazing.  The acting is all good across the board as well, and I enjoy the period details. I would watch a whole show of just the scenery, going from one lovely countryside local to the next, with some animals along for the ride. Its a very nice and comforting kind of show, and I love animals so I love watching so many of them seeing what goes into their care. That also makes things like the horse being put down really hard though, poor thing. His giant brown eyes just killed me when James had to put him down. 

I really like Tristan, I know that he can be rather immature and feckless, but he really does mean well and while he struggles with the studying aspect of being a vet, he does seem to be good with animals and does a lot better when he is actually out in the field. He seems like a nice person, even if he frequently makes bad choices and clearly has a short attention span that causes him trouble. Plus, he and James are a lot of fun together, and I find his constant support of James and their friendship really sweet. 

Although I admit, as a lot of what I watch that is exported from the UK are mysteries, I keep expecting someone to get murdered...

Edited February 3, 2021 by tennisgurl

[peacheslatour]

Quote

Although I admit, as a lot of what I watch that is exported from the UK are mysteries, I keep expecting someone to get murdered...

I get that. I watch a lot of Midsomer, Prime Suspect, Vera, Father Brown and Maigret. I know exactly what you mean.

[Driad]

Can someone please explain the exams that Tristan needs to pass?  Apparently he does not need to be a university student to take them, since Siegfried said he would tutor him?  What are the exams called, and what do they involve?  All on paper, or practical "what is wrong with this animal and how would you treat it"?

[Shanna Marie]

43 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

Although I admit, as a lot of what I watch that is exported from the UK are mysteries, I keep expecting someone to get murdered...

I figure that since this is a small English town, the vicar is probably poisoning someone and a little old lady is solving the case, but it's all happening in the background and we don't notice because we're focused on the animals.

But one thing I'm liking about this, especially right now, is that there really is no "bad guy." Siegfried seemed like he would be an antagonist to James at the start, but he turned out to be a good man with an abrasive exterior. Then Tristan seemed like he'd be a rival to James, but he's turned out to be a good friend. Hugh looked like he might have become an enemy over the horse, but even he seems to have come around. So instead of a good guys vs. bad guys conflict, the conflict is mostly with nature/illness and the issues that come up with good people who have their flaws and quirks. That makes for relaxing viewing when there's more than enough conflict in real life.

[Blergh]

With Mrs. Hall's son's non-forwarded package, we need to find out what's his deal if not what the backstory of Mrs. Hall was when she was younger and how she came to live at Skeldale House. It's interesting that, in this incarnation, she's actually eating at the main table with the others instead of grabbing something at the kitchen table. Let's not forget Alice of the Brady Bunch didn't eat meals with the Bradys' at their house in the show that was set in the 1970's so this is rather significant for the late 1930's.

[SandyToes]

6 hours ago, Shanna Marie said:

I figure that since this is a small English town, the vicar is probably poisoning someone and a little old lady is solving the case, but it's all happening in the background and we don't notice because we're focused on the animals.

Hee!  No doubt!!

@tennisgurl, if you are a reader, I (and probably most of us) would highly recommend the first two especially, once the series is over.  Part of the charm of the books, I think is in the detailed descriptions of the "characters" in the village.  And the animals, too, but as mentioned, a lot of stories get tumbled together here, and that's fine.  But some are much richer in the books.  Example - the horse that was put down - Huge blowout between James and the groomer/trainer, along the lines of "Mr. Hugh 'Longbottom' will be furious you let his prize horse suffer this long! You should have called long ago!", which made the immediacy of the horse being put down make sense. INSTANT end to suffering, as opposed to just a way to solve the problem, or waiting for the owner to return  home.  In the same story, said trainer shows up at Skeldale house a few days later, looking for work!  Seems James was right...  So sometimes just richer stories.  Some are horrifyingly sad, especially the ones where a farmer's entire small herd has to be slaughtered, or sick pets and their devastated owners. But to me, those stories make the happy ones all the brighter.  

And Tricki and Dame Diana.  Oh,  my.  I do miss the curmudgeony butler whose job is was to throw rings for Tricki!  As has been said a zillion times, casting has been spot on. Even Mrs. Hall is growing on me.

[peacheslatour]

Quote

Some are horrifyingly sad, especially the ones where a farmer's entire small herd has to be slaughtered, or sick pets and their devastated owners. But to me, those stories make the happy ones all the brighter.  

Spoiler

I'll never forget the story about the blind man and his dog. Paul, I think his name was.

 

[tennisgurl]

1 hour ago, SandyToes said:

if you are a reader, I (and probably most of us) would highly recommend the first two especially, once the series is over.  Part of the charm of the books, I think is in the detailed descriptions of the "characters" in the village. 

Thank you for the recommendation, I think I will have to check the books out when we finish the show, or at least the season. I know very little about the books, but they sound like a really fun, charming series. I do love to read, and I am always looking for a new series to start, and a slice of life story sounds like a lot of fun to get into, especially as the last few books I have read have been very dense. There are a lot of them it looks like, so I will probably wait to finish either the season or the series, but I will definitely check them out! I really like the show so far, so I bet I will like the books as well!

8 hours ago, Shanna Marie said:

I figure that since this is a small English town, the vicar is probably poisoning someone and a little old lady is solving the case, but it's all happening in the background and we don't notice because we're focused on the animals.

 

I just assume that every quaint English town in the country is really a hotbed of crime, corruption, vice, and a LOT of murder underneath those folksy accents and beautiful scenery. They're the British cousin of those seemingly sleepy small towns that are all over the East Coast, especially in New England and Maine. Everything is all cute and picturesque and wholesome but its really all blackmailers, killer clowns, murderers, and the little old ladies that have to catch them.  

[peacheslatour]

6 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

Thank you for the recommendation, I think I will have to check the books out when we finish the show, or at least the season. I know very little about the books, but they sound like a really fun, charming series. I do love to read, and I am always looking for a new series to start, and a slice of life story sounds like a lot of fun to get into, especially as the last few books I have read have been very dense. There are a lot of them it looks like, so I will probably wait to finish either the season or the series, but I will definitely check them out! I really like the show so far, so I bet I will like the books as well!

I just assume that every quaint English town in the country is really a hotbed of crime, corruption, vice, and a LOT of murder underneath those folksy accents and beautiful scenery. They're the British cousin of those seemingly sleepy small towns that are all over the East Coast, especially in New England and Maine. Everything is all cute and picturesque and wholesome but its really all blackmailers, killer clowns, murderers, and the little old ladies that have to catch them.  

Sherlock Holmes on the lovely countryside:

"Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these dear old homesteads?"

"They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Watson founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin than does the smiling and beautiful countryside."

"You horrify me!"

"But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at those lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser."

[Quilt Fairy]

1 hour ago, tennisgurl said:

Thank you for the recommendation, I think I will have to check the books out when we finish the show, or at least the season. I know very little about the books, but they sound like a really fun, charming series. I do love to read, and I am always looking for a new series to start, and a slice of life story sounds like a lot of fun to get into, especially as the last few books I have read have been very dense. There are a lot of them it looks like, so I will probably wait to finish either the season or the series, but I will definitely check them out! I really like the show so far, so I bet I will like the books as well!

I want to second this recommendation, especially the first 2 books of the series.  Although I haven't read them since my 20's, for a couple of decades they were in my top 10 favorite books.  I remember visiting a relative, and I kept up my side of the conversation solely by relating tale after tale from the books. 

[SandyToes]

 Book One, Chapter one, always makes me giggle.  The dogs, the car, the "womitting"!   I also love that places from this book intersect with Downton Abbey.  Thirsk! Kind of a two-fer!

(Amazon has a kindle version of the first three ebooks, and you can download a sample.  I think it was like 20 chapters!)

Edited February 4, 2021 by SandyToes

[statsgirl]

6 hours ago, Driad said:

Can someone please explain the exams that Tristan needs to pass?  Apparently he does not need to be a university student to take them, since Siegfried said he would tutor him? 

British universities have a tutorial system

Quote

The tutorial system is a method of university teaching where the main focus is on regular, very small group teaching sessions. It was established and is still practised by the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. In addition to attending lectures and other classes, Oxbridge students are taught by faculty fellows in groups of one to three on a weekly basis {snip}

During each tutorial session, students are expected to orally communicate, defend, analyse, and critique the ideas of others as well as their own in conversations with the tutor and fellow students. As a pedagogic model, the tutorial system has great value because it creates learning and assessment opportunities which are highly authentic and difficult to fake.

Presumably Tristan has already been to the lectures and has the books. Siegfried can hold his nose to the grindstone until he's ready to take his exam. Some countries like Hungary have oral exams for clinical subjects. I couldn't find out if the UK veterinary ones are oral too. If so, working in the practice would give him an advantage.

[Doublemint]

9 hours ago, Blergh said:

With Mrs. Hall's son's non-forwarded package, we need to find out what's his deal if not what the backstory of Mrs. Hall was when she was younger and how she came to live at Skeldale House. It's interesting that, in this incarnation, she's actually eating at the main table with the others instead of grabbing something at the kitchen table. Let's not forget Alice of the Brady Bunch didn't eat meals with the Bradys' at their house in the show that was set in the 1970's so this is rather significant for the late 1930's.

Yes, I find it jarring.   It's not 1930's life.

[AZChristian]

I've been getting electronic books via Overdrive from our local library.  Apparently, the series has stimulated plenty of people in our system to read (or re-read) All Creatures.  They only have two electronic licenses, and there are 22 people ahead of me in line!!!!

[Packerbrewerbadger]

I read these back in the 80’s  but gave them away.  I highly recommend the app Libby for reading library books .

[Blergh]

11 hours ago, Doublemint said:

Yes, I find it jarring.   It's not 1930's life.

I wouldn't go so far to say 'jarring'. FWIW, I think the idea of a servant eating meals with their employers at the employers' table at that time was  unlikely but not an impossibility (and no one can see that the Farnons were ever totally conventional or unimaginative- or incapable of friendship with those of different backgrounds).

[statsgirl]

At the start of the series, Siegfried seems to have been a long time without an assistant. With Tristan off at uni, there would have been a lot of lonely meals for him unless he invited Mrs. Hall to join him.

As well, the relationship between Mrs. Hall and the Farnums is not the usual one between housekeeper and employer.

[peacheslatour]

1 hour ago, Blergh said:

I wouldn't go so far to say 'jarring'. FWIW, I think the idea of a servant eating meals with their employers at the employers' table at that time was  unlikely but not an impossibility (and no one can see that the Farnons were ever totally conventional or unimaginative- or incapable of friendship with those of different backgrounds).

Plus, she's not a maid, she's their housekeeper. Skeldale House was very casual and if Mrs. Hall had been with the Farnons since Tristan and Siegfried were very young, she was more like a nanny. They're not going to relegate her to the kitchen for meals. They're not upper class twits.

[Doublemint]

Well, she didn't eat with them in the books or the first series.   Back in the day this was the expectation of a housekeeper and totally normal, to do otherwise and eat in the dining room with the family would not happen.   As a nod to today's customs, this was changed, and sigfried will not be judged by viewers who don't understand the times.

 

[peacheslatour]

6 minutes ago, Doublemint said:

Well, she didn't eat with them in the books or the first series.   Back in the day this was the expectation of a housekeeper and totally normal, to do otherwise and eat in the dining room with the family would not happen.   As a nod to today's customs, this was changed, and sigfried will not be judged by viewers who don't understand the times.

 

They've changed her character so far from the books already, I'm just gonna go with it.

[magdalene]

4 hours ago, peacheslatour said:

They've changed her character so far from the books already, I'm just gonna go with it.

Yes, this is an unconventional and eccentric family and this Mrs. Hall is like a different character anyways.  I have accepted that nothing is typical for the times in this house.

[possibilities]

Regarding the criminality of rural folks, I live in a very small town/rural area, and let me tell you: there is no privacy. Everyone knows who's up to waht, and the peer pressure is unlike anything I experienced when I lived in larger towns or cities, where anonymity was possible an dpeople tended to "mind their own business" or just not notice what other people were doing. Also, the "poor and ignorant" have never been more criminal than the "wealthy, who behave with impunity." Sherlock Holmes is a character with many charms, but he's a total snob and an utter ignoramus when it comes to class and countryside.

[Blergh]

13 hours ago, magdalene said:

Yes, this is an unconventional and eccentric family and this Mrs. Hall is like a different character anyways.  I have accepted that nothing is typical for the times in this house.

I'm usually a stickler for historic accuracy but while I believe that Mrs. Hall eating with the Farnon Brothers and James at the main table would have been unconventional for the time, I don't think it would have been as impossible as say James calling an uber to drive him out or Skeldale House having wi-fi.  Yes, I know that the convention was that employers and servants NEVER ate at the same table and that included butlers (who were the commanding officers of the entire staff) as well as governesses (who were often educated ladies  of genteel birth who elected to be in the profession due to it being one of the few 'respectable' positions unmarried  money-poor women with educations could be employed ) who usually ate with the employers' children but never were invited to eat with their employers even when the employers would eat en famille  for formal and landmark occasions with their offspring (and were somewhat considered outcasts for not being born into the servant class by other servants).

statsgirl makes a good point about Siegfried possibly inviting her to eat at the table after more than one solo meal sans Tristan and between assistants. This  would not have been unlike how in Driving Miss Daisy, the title character decided to invite her driver Hoke to start eating with her after her housekeeper Idella had died and he had no one else to eat with.

[peacheslatour]

Quote

as well as governesses (who were often educated ladies  of genteel birth who elected to be in the profession due to it being one of the few 'respectable' positions unmarried  money-poor women with educations could be employed ) who usually ate with the employers' children but never were invited to eat with their employers 

Gasp! I guess every Gothic romance novel I ever read all these years have been lying to me! *clutches pearls*

[lucindabelle]

On 2/3/2021 at 11:14 AM, Shanna Marie said:

I figure that since this is a small English town, the vicar is probably poisoning someone and a little old lady is solving the case, but it's all happening in the background and we don't notice because we're focused on the animals.

But one thing I'm liking about this, especially right now, is that there really is no "bad guy." Siegfried seemed like he would be an antagonist to James at the start, but he turned out to be a good man with an abrasive exterior. Then Tristan seemed like he'd be a rival to James, but he's turned out to be a good friend. Hugh looked like he might have become an enemy over the horse, but even he seems to have come around. So instead of a good guys vs. bad guys conflict, the conflict is mostly with nature/illness and the issues that come up with good people who have their flaws and quirks. That makes for relaxing viewing when there's more than enough conflict in real life.

Thank you!

 

as a literature and drama prof were always taught to say that you need CONFLICT for a story, and an ANTAGONIST.

ive never believed that to be true. Sometimes it’s just tedious. You need an engine- something you’re waiting to see happen. But that does NLT have to mean grand ongoing conflict, particularly hero villain good guy bad guy stuff. 

[peacheslatour]

15 minutes ago, lucindabelle said:

Thank you!

 

as a literature and drama prof were always taught to say that you need CONFLICT for a story, and an ANTAGONIST.

ive never believed that to be true. Sometimes it’s just tedious. You need an engine- something you’re waiting to see happen. But that does NLT have to mean grand ongoing conflict, particularly hero villain good guy bad guy stuff. 

But there ARE conflicts and antagonists! Disease is the villain. Poverty is the villain. Ignorance and superstition are what our heroes fight against.

[Possum]

I have mixed feelings about this new series, but I am a big fan of the original series and cannot help but compare the two. The filming is well done and the scenery breathtaking.  New James was good casting, and I sort of like him better in the role than Christopher Timothy.  Seeing him in Scotland at the beginning was a nice touch.  

I'm not enamored of Sam West as Siegfried, but I do like West as an actor and will see if he grows on me in the role.  I'm not liking new Tristan, seeing him more as a jerk than the lazy but charming prankster that was old Tristan.  I'm also not sure about the new direction they've taken Mrs. Hall, but she is likable enough.

On the down side, the new series is sort of, well, dull.  It doesn't have the energy of the original.  Part of that can be put down to the absence of Robert Hardy who was this whirlwind of energy in the original.  There's little humor and lightheartedness in the new series, and I miss that. 

While the outside scenery shots are lovely, I'm disappointed in the interior shots of Skeldale.  It is dark and dingy whereas the original was cozy and a place where you would want to hang out.  I agree with others who posted that Mrs. Pumphrey's house seems very grand.  I'm happy to see Diana Rigg in one more role, but I really liked the original Mrs. Pumphrey.

It's a small point, but it is jarring hearing so many being called by their first names.  For instance, Mrs. Hall calling Siegfried by his first name rather than Mr. Farnon just feels off.  It's a modern thing and takes me out of the time period when the stories took place.  

Overall the new series is a pleasant enough way to spend an hour.  Although likely an unpopular viewpoint, I think that even with the superior filming, the new show lacks much of the charm and character of the original.  

[Doublemint]

29 minutes ago, Possum said:

I have mixed feelings about this new series, but I am a big fan of the original series and cannot help but compare the two. The filming is well done and the scenery breathtaking.  New James was good casting, and I sort of like him better in the role than Christopher Timothy.  Seeing him in Scotland at the beginning was a nice touch.  

I'm not enamored of Sam West as Siegfried, but I do like West as an actor and will see if he grows on me in the role.  I'm not liking new Tristan, seeing him more as a jerk than the lazy but charming prankster that was old Tristan.  I'm also not sure about the new direction they've taken Mrs. Hall, but she is likable enough.

On the down side, the new series is sort of, well, dull.  It doesn't have the energy of the original.  Part of that can be put down to the absence of Robert Hardy who was this whirlwind of energy in the original.  There's little humor and lightheartedness in the new series, and I miss that. 

While the outside scenery shots are lovely, I'm disappointed in the interior shots of Skeldale.  It is dark and dingy whereas the original was cozy and a place where you would want to hang out.  I agree with others who posted that Mrs. Pumphrey's house seems very grand.  I'm happy to see Diana Rigg in one more role, but I really liked the original Mrs. Pumphrey.

It's a small point, but it is jarring hearing so many being called by their first names.  For instance, Mrs. Hall calling Siegfried by his first name rather than Mr. Farnon just feels off.  It's a modern thing and takes me out of the time period when the stories took place.  

Overall the new series is a pleasant enough way to spend an hour.  Although likely an unpopular viewpoint, I think that even with the superior filming, the new show lacks much of the charm and character of the original.  

Yes to all of this - you are my spirit animal!

[possibilities]

Is it possible that since they are re-using stories, people who''ve seen the original are bored because they've seen it all before? I know that I never like a movie if I've already seen the book. I imagine the same holds true for video-medium remakes.

[Possum]

15 hours ago, possibilities said:

Is it possible that since they are re-using stories, people who''ve seen the original are bored because they've seen it all before? I know that I never like a movie if I've already seen the book. I imagine the same holds true for video-medium remakes.

I believe that is a possibility for some.  Not for me, though, because I can watch the original series over and over again without getting bored with it.  If I really like any series, I enjoy re-watching it even though I know the story.  I have no problem watching a good murder mystery again even while knowing who did it and why.  A good story is essential, but great characters are what we bring me back time and time again.

[magdalene]

On 2/6/2021 at 1:27 PM, Possum said:

I have mixed feelings about this new series, but I am a big fan of the original series and cannot help but compare the two. The filming is well done and the scenery breathtaking.  New James was good casting, and I sort of like him better in the role than Christopher Timothy.  Seeing him in Scotland at the beginning was a nice touch.  

I'm not enamored of Sam West as Siegfried, but I do like West as an actor and will see if he grows on me in the role.  I'm not liking new Tristan, seeing him more as a jerk than the lazy but charming prankster that was old Tristan.  I'm also not sure about the new direction they've taken Mrs. Hall, but she is likable enough.

On the down side, the new series is sort of, well, dull.  It doesn't have the energy of the original.  Part of that can be put down to the absence of Robert Hardy who was this whirlwind of energy in the original.  There's little humor and lightheartedness in the new series, and I miss that. 

While the outside scenery shots are lovely, I'm disappointed in the interior shots of Skeldale.  It is dark and dingy whereas the original was cozy and a place where you would want to hang out.  I agree with others who posted that Mrs. Pumphrey's house seems very grand.  I'm happy to see Diana Rigg in one more role, but I really liked the original Mrs. Pumphrey.

It's a small point, but it is jarring hearing so many being called by their first names.  For instance, Mrs. Hall calling Siegfried by his first name rather than Mr. Farnon just feels off.  It's a modern thing and takes me out of the time period when the stories took place.  

Overall the new series is a pleasant enough way to spend an hour.  Although likely an unpopular viewpoint, I think that even with the superior filming, the new show lacks much of the charm and character of the original.  

I watched and loved the original series as a child so I have a sentimental attachment to it.  However, re-watching it now it feels quite dated to me, which isn't surprising considering how long ago it was filmed.

I am grateful that this new show gives me one last chance to watch Dame Diana.  And the somewhat different  and more modern tone suits my sensibilities.  I certainly don't miss or want to celebrate an era where a human being is considered "less" because they work in someone's house. What's wrong with treating someone like Mrs. Hall with respect?  When I was putting myself through college I worked some menial jobs and you could always tell if you were working for snobs. I don't want to celebrate or treasure the classist system of that time period.

Edited February 7, 2021 by magdalene

[Possum]

5 hours ago, magdalene said:

I watched and loved the original series as a child so I have a sentimental attachment to it.  However, re-watching it now it feels quite dated to me, which isn't surprising considering how long ago it was filmed.

I am grateful that this new show gives me one last chance to watch Dame Diana.  And the somewhat different  and more modern tone suits my sensibilities.  I certainly don't miss or want to celebrate an era where a human being is considered "less" because they work in someone's house. What's wrong with treating someone like Mrs. Hall with respect?  When I was putting myself through college I worked some menial jobs and you could always tell if you were working for snobs. I don't want to celebrate or treasure the classist system of that time period.

Mrs. Hall was always treated with respect in the original series.  Everyone calling her Mrs. Hall rather than by her first name was a show of respect.  Other characters never gave any indication that they considered her "less."  I always had the impression they thought she was a jewel and treated her as such.  

 

[magdalene]

40 minutes ago, Possum said:

Mrs. Hall was always treated with respect in the original series.  Everyone calling her Mrs. Hall rather than by her first name was a show of respect.  Other characters never gave any indication that they considered her "less."  I always had the impression they thought she was a jewel and treated her as such.  

 

But if I remember right she wasn't considered good enough to eat the meals that she cooked with the brothers in the old version.