The 2007 Chritmas Special Was Brilliant
I do hope they bring the show back.
I loved the new characters. Audrey and Richard were as sneaky as ever.
They just had more influence and a bigger playing field.
Personally I think it would be lovely if they did. But do you think there'd be (I'm going to phrase it wrongly so I hope you understand) enough stuff for them to do for an entire series? I mean, would you be able to get enough storylines & things? I would think they'd probably manage, but some people I've talked to say that although the special was okay, they should leave it at that. Anyone got any opinions?
I've heard some people say that Audrey & Richard are now too old to be a hero & heroine of a series, but in my opinion they're classic characters. It's not like they've lost any of their spirit or anything, & as you said, SeeBear, they still have the same sneakiness etc as ever - I personally couldn't get enough of them. If you ask me, they're a better couple of main characters than many in the modern popular shows.
Catriona x
"Fate shuffles the cards and we play" (Schopenhauer)
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I wondered if the character of Adam was brought in to be a possible conflict for future shows. After all, with his existence, I don't quite understand why Audrey inherited the manor, since it had been 'in her family for generations' unlike the unusual case where a widow inherits a home after her husband's death. Yes, she was a fforbes-Hamilton, but if her father and Marton's father were brothers, and Adam's father was the brother of Marton, shouldn't he have the home more than Audrey, particularly if the house passed through the male line?
Even if that weren't the case, the new episode showed that Audrey and Richard hadn't had 'Happily ever after' marriage, but one filled with conflict and compromise. And the tension within the farming community could be another source of material.
Plus, I really enjoyed the contrast between rural England and modern society.
The insolent butler, Emerage represents the indifferent attitude of the new age worker. The "It doesn't matter too much if I get it right because I can get another job" point of view. He was absolutely hilarious, if not appalling. I've never really seen an older character in his position behave in such a manner. It was a bit disorienting because you realize, although he is on in years, he's still younger than both Richard and Audrey.
I'd also like to see how Richard and his new farming cooperative can hold under the strain of corporate infiltration. It's an issue that, in reality, is posing a threat to the survival of many farming communities.
This show has always been about opposing lifestyles in changing times, therefore the show (contrary to my initial thought before the airing of the special) will always prove its relevance.
After viewing the special I realized there seem to be more stories to be told and more issues to address than ever.
Richard and Audrey would almost never compromise on any of them without there being some friction. But, at least, they're on the same side this time. So it would be easier to face such an opposing force. After all, two unmovable forces, like the DeVeres, are better than one.
Skagway - that thing about Adam inheriting the Manor hadn't occurred to me. Interesting thought. Then again, how old is he meant to be now, about 40 maybe? He'd only have been a kid when Marton died. Did they mention much of his story in the special? I can't remember.
And thinking it all over, SeeBear, I think you're absolutely right - the show will always be relevant, & there certainly must be a lot more stories to tell.
Catriona x
"Fate shuffles the cards and we play" (Schopenhauer)
I think Adam was supposed to be late 30's--which seems to be the actor's age--which means you're right, he would have been under-age when Audrey inherited the manor. Although it was never stated directly, it seemed obvious to me that Audrey intents him to take over the estate, if he comes up to scratch.
I rewatched the special last night--all this chatting about the show has my juices going! Audrey makes a cryptic comment, when warning Marjory off Adam, that he's trying to leave his past behind. *Very* interesting, and certainly more fuel for storylines.
Props to Angela Thorne in the scene with Adam in The Lodge. Very Diane Keaton-esque, all uncomfortable yet terribly attracted.
If they were to do more episodes, I'd assume the character of Adam would take a more central place, with Audrey and Richard in the background. I hadn't realized how old PB is!
I was surprised they didn't do a Audrey/Richard offspring character instead of introducing the previously unmentioned nephew, but 1) English sitcoms seems to rely much less than Americans on the gaggle of child characters, 2) the new character gives the opportunity to fill in the audience on the past 25 years when Adam is being filled in.
Of course, they could still bring in a child, now 23-24 years old, who'd rejected the country life, which would explain why he/she was never mentioned during the special!
You people keep mentioning points which I'd forgotten about (mainly because my family insisted on chatting in the background & I couldn't hear everything, humph). I'm afraid to make comments now in case I get it wrong! Did you tape it or are you watching it again online somewhere? I wasn't able to tape it because I was at my uncle's, they don't have a recorder & our one at home can't be properly set. Can't wait till the DVD comes out - I think it's February sometime.
Yes, I agree that Adam's likely to inherit the Manor, even though, as you say, it wasn't stated outright. That line about "leaving the past behind" was great, & I too would love to know what was behind that. A big scandal of some sort? Maybe he was framed or something? The idea of a child who'd rejected the country life would certainly be interesting - wonder what they'd have chosen to do instead?
Catriona x
"Fate shuffles the cards and we play" (Schopenhauer)
The special is on Youtube, broken up into 6 parts. Oddly, a search for 'To the Manor Born' didn't bring it up, but 'penelope keith+christmas' does.
I'm in the US, and disappointed that BBCA didn't choose to run it. Perhaps they truly believe Americans wouldn't be interested, since all their shows seem to be American-style, like Hotel Babylon. *shudder*
I'm wondering if they'll release the DVD in the US or if it'll be yet another one I'll have to purchase from Amazon.uk. Thank goodness for all region players!
What a shame they don't seem to show a lot of BBC stuff in the States. First this, & I've heard on other boards how various period dramas & other shows aren't available either. I don't think it should be up to the powers that be to decide whether people would be interested in certain programmes or not. I think the viewing figures for the special was about 10 million or so, which apparently was a lot more than expected - some of the BBC people were very doubtful about the special being made at all, so that's them proved wrong, ha ha ha.
One thought (I'm full of them today, as you'll know, skagway, from the "Richard's wife" thread, lol): if another series was made, & it didn't do particularly well, would it spoil your enjoyment of the original three? It certainly wouldn't for me. I went off the Harry Potter books after number 4, but it doesn't mean I don't still enjoy reading the first three.
Catriona x
"Fate shuffles the cards and we play" (Schopenhauer)
I think that the reason why so much excellent British series never make it to the U.S. has to do with the expenses involved in creating a disc in Region 1 NTSC. I'm sure there is a minimum production run involved, and American marketing firms are wary of paying the expense unless they have a guaranteed market. The problem is, since very few Americans have heard of the existence of these series, they're afraid to market them in NTSC. It's a Catch 22. There are plenty of Rik Mayall fans in America who have never heard of either "Bottom" or "Believe Nothing," since neither series was aired here, despite "The Young Ones" being popular.
Most Americans who enjoy British series accept it as a part of life that owning at least one DVD player that either automatically plays or can be configured to play Region 2 PAL discs is a necessity. BBC America is releasing the special later this summer, probably because the original series was popular. That's too late for me, as I already purchased it from Sendit.com, along with the original series, as they had it on sale cheaper than I could get it here, despite the conversion rate.
If they did do another series, I don't see how they could possibly not do well. Peter Spence has already proven that his writing skills are every bit as good as they were 25 years ago, and the cast is too experienced and talented to be anything other than first-rate. The main difference would have to be in the nature of the storylines. A new series would need to rely on issues that originate outside the manor, and not knowing whether Richard and Audrey will be working with or against each other, much like the special. I hope they give it a try.
they could easily do another series ;) now their alot older could work easily
its one show that they can never be to old to make ;)