Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Oct 28, 2018 7:08:36 GMT
You're right about this show getting little recognition. It's definitely needs to be better known. Of course its not as highbrow as Downton, but that's what makes it more fun.
**spoilers below**
Things really got moving in episode 6. There was Charlotte choking Lydia Quigley, Amelia stabbed and Margaret confessing to murder to save Lucy among other things.
I know I've said it before, but I think it bears repeating - this show is utilising Jessica Brown Findlay's acting talents so much better than Downton Abbey did. I loved her character in that show/she was my favourite, as I've mentioned, but by Season 3 it really felt like they were wasting her and I can't really blame her for leaving. While I think it's a shame that she didn't seem to find large success in movies, I think this show has done a wonderful job of letting her prove her acting abilities and I hope that it scores her some actual decent roles in films (as it seems 'big' movies tend to take notice of stand-out actors in shows and then give them chances). I think she's shown so much nuance in her performance, and she's had some great/'meaty' material to work with too.
Seeing her guilt over the girl that got violated and being blamed/cursed for it was pretty sad to watch, considering she did everything she could to help her. It was also very intense watching her held captive by Lydia Quigley after she was found out (or ratted out, more accurately). Charlotte had done such a good job at her job going undercover, and it was quite suspenseful once she got held prisoner. I think she had SO MUCH going on with her, that it was understandable when she finally let loose and throttled Quigley. However, it was also understandable that her mother stopped her, as she knew what it would cost Charlotte if she had succeeded in ending the life of the woman who has caused everyone so much pain/loss. It was such a relief to see Charlotte get out of there and back with her family.
Speaking of Margaret, while I wasn't too fond of her at the start of the season, I think she went a long way towards redeeming herself in my eyes when she confessed to murder in an effort to save her other daughter, Lucy. I actually found myself liking Margaret quite a bit in these last two episodes.
I think Liv Tyler is quite underrated as an actress, as I had guessed what had been the 'history' between her character and the brother - and it was just as unpleasant as you could've imagined. I think she did a good job of conveying this had gone on between them, without being super obvious. She gave little hints and had nuance in her performance. I also think that the relationship that developed between her and Charlotte was done well and didn't feel as though it came out of left field.
I felt bad for Amelia when she got stabbed, and as unlikeable as her mother can be, I even felt sorry for her a bit too.
There are still a couple of characters I wouldn't mind seeing written out of this show, as they annoy me greatly, but on the whole I feel this is a really underrated/underappreciated TV show that not enough people are watching - and they really should be. This season just flew past in no time - and it shows just how beneficial having a 'short' season can be, as there doesn't feel like there's too much 'filler' and every episode seems to be important. I'm so glad there'll be a Season 3, as this show is too good to end after only two seasons. I'm looking forward to the last two episodes of this season which I'll get to see on Friday.