Saturday, March 4, 2017

Celebrating a Wonderful PBS Series, VICTORIA


This week I'm celebrating PBS Masterpiece Theater's series Victoria, which you can learn more about HERE. You could say I've been celebrating it for a few weeks, on Sunday evenings. Tomorrow is the final for season 1, and I have been completely drawn into this series. Here's why:

(But first: Celebrate the Small Things  is a blog hop co-hosted by Lexa Cain at: Lexa Cain,  L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge , and Tonja Drecker @ Tidbits Blog. (You can go to any of these sites to add your name to the links, if you want to participate. )

So, why am I so drawn to this series? To begin with, I've always been fascinated by Victorian London and the era itself, when inventions we take for granted were just beginning: Electricity, the railroad, the telephone, etc. These were the big things people talked about, while they traveled by stage coach and hansom cab. From stories I read growing up, there always seemed a magical element to the clip-clop of horse hooves against cobblestones and buildings swirling in fog and the gas street lamps and the lamp lighters in the earlier part of the era. 

Then, of course, there was the world of Sherlock Holmes, that uncannily brilliant detective who solved cases by observation and thought. (I'm not big on today's mystery/suspense novels that are solved by forensics and all forms of technology. They don't seem half as interesting.) 

Of course, I was unaware of all the faults of the era: the London of misery rather than the London of mystique and the English inheritance laws that could leave a woman anywhere destitute, the starving and wretched in crime infested warrens, rather than the elegant neighbor hoods where women enjoyed theater and endless parties. All of my awareness of London's social stratification came later. (Commendably, under Victoria and her husband, Albert, many social reforms took place. ) 

But especially interesting in this series is how it brings to life the difficulties of a strong-willed teenager who suddenly found herself Queen of England and who had the determination and savvy to navigate quite a number of plots against her even after her marriage to Albert. From the get-go, she was both assaulted by political rivals and sustained by her own intelligence. And the love affair between her and Albert is so heartwarming for an era where marriage was usually a political alliance first and foremost. They literally fell in love with each other and never got over it. (This season only brings a viewer up to Victoria's first pregnancy, but since they had many children and achieved many social reforms, there really is material to look forward to.)

And then there is the acting: Jenna Coleman is perfect as the young Victoria. Rufus Sewell shines as Lord Melbourne, her mentor, friend, and political advisor. Tom Hughes is endearing as the besotted Albert, who still must earn respect from Parliament and forge his own role as more than an echo of the queen. This is a stellar cast, with those in supporting roles holding their own, and together they bring Victoria's world convincingly to life. 

If you've missed episodes of Victoria, you can probably find reruns of it on other evenings on PBS.

Do you have a favorite series? If so, is it contemporary? Or historical? Are you a devoted fan? Do you set aside time each week to watch it?

  

16 comments:

Unknown said...

This sounds wonderful! I always love watching biographical shows, especially about England. There's so much to learn. (Though I was a bit disappointed with the series about Selfridge. Too soap-opera like.) Have a lovely weekend!

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Lexa, I agree with you. I tried to watch Selfridge, but felt it turned into soap opera. It's hard to know what makes that fine line, because I never felt that about Downton Abbey, or (way back) Upstairs, Downstairs. I think you will really like Victoria, if you can find a re-run. And the good news is that the programming calls it "Season 1", which means more to come. Have a great day.

Sharon Himsl said...

I watched Downtown Abbey well after its release, after everyone stopped trying to charge us. Enjoyed watching it on Netflix in full, loved the characters and era. Saw Victoria on Netflix I think, maybe on Amazon. I'll check it out if no extra charge. The love story is a nice bonus :) Sounds wonderful!

Kate Larkindale said...

I heard this was a good series. I just never have time to watch anything...

Julia Thorley said...

I really enjoyed Victoria, too. It was good to be reminded of how young she was when she became queen. I love the scenes of her running down the palace corridors and playing with her puppy.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Sharon, I hope you can find it without extra charge. It's a series I think you'll enjoy, if you liked Downton Abby.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I hardly ever watch TV these days, Kate. I make time for Masterpiece Theater, because usually they have good series and mysteries, and occasionally I watch a news program. But normally, if I have free time, I'd rather read a good book than watch TV, and these days I can get new online so easily..

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I agree with you, Julia. It's hard to imagine being suddenly expected to rule a nation at eighteen, isn't it! And Jenna Coleman captures that mix of inherent queenliness with exuberant teen-age spirits beautifully.

Rosi said...

I love this PBS series as well. I do wish they would make their seasons longer on these series! It seems I just get truly invested and we are at the last show of the season. Can't wait for the next round.

cleemckenzie said...

I've heard so many people talk about Victoria, and I have yet to see one episode.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Oh, I hope you can catch it somewhere, Lee. It's good. And such an eye opener regarding the hazards of being Queen in those days. I was also fascinated by the life of Elizabeth Tudor, ever since I was a teenager. But the dangers for her are matched by the dangers for the young Victoria. Because she ruled so long and has become such a "fixture" in history, it never occurred to me that there were attempts to lock her up and have someone else rule as her protector; and later there were attempts on her life.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Me, too, Rosi! I really wish I didn't have to wait months for the next stage in this wonderful saga.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Victoria sounds so interesting. I watch very little TV, but think I'd enjoy this one. I don't have PBS, however. Maybe I can find the series on a CD. Will check Amazon to see what they have. Thanks.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Beverly. That's an interesting point about the CD. I think there are CDs out now for Downton Abbey, so maybe there's one for this series. Good luck.

Theresa Milstein said...

I haven't seen Victoria. Thanks for telling me about it! I also love that time period. When I was an undergrad, that was the period of time I studied in the US.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Theresa. Thanks for stopping by. I found out the IS a CD out for Season I. It would probably be even more enjoyable to watch from start to finish, instead of waiting week-to-week.