Loose ends

I completely agree. I actually felt quite miserable about the outcome this morning, which suddenly felt very unresolved. Yes, the action had gone 'full circle' - which sets the stage for a second series of course - but, on reflection, there are A LOT of loose ends ... I also realised that all the 'men' had made a sacrifice of some sorts. (spoilers ahead)

The most notable sacrifice was Father Melia, who never told Iris why he was being sent away, nor her involvement in his dismissal (her letter to the bishop). He left for love of her really. And he is now tethered to an organisation who seemingly disapproved of his very humanity - his playing football with the kids in the street, his helping the quarantined orphans - and his face, when reprimanded, was expressive of that. (And of course his realisation of the true nature of his employers, was mirrored by Iris's disgust at the greed of the convent). Father Melia was a true romantic hero because he knew his fate and succumbed to it, to protect Iris. I'd love for him to return in a second series, and come to realise that he might be better off working for social good 'outside' of the priesthood.

Mr Brazendale also made a sacrifice, in my opinion. OK, he was a Class A 'louse' as Ruby put it so excellently, but I still felt sorry for him, as by the end, any chance he ever had of being with May and his child is extinguished by his wife's tragic instability. He must protect her. So he too, looks likely to put duty first.

Dadda has already sacrificed his potential for new love and happiness with Miss Bird for the sake of his daughters' feelings and their cherishing the memory of their dead mother. I would love to see him re-ignite his relationship with Miss Bird in a future series. She was such a sweet, touching figure, and would have done him (and the family) the power of good. The Moss family still needs to come to terms with its grief for the absent mother, to move forward.

Frank has sacrificed his emotional future as far as I could see, through his unrequited love for May, as expressed by his sweet little line, that the fruit cake he had made her could last for years - he really would wait that long for her to love him in return. I honestly cannot imagine May ever reciprocating his feelings - he's not handsome, rich or showy enough for her liking. But in a second series, it would be interesting if Frank's loyalty to May was tested by another girl taking a sincere romantic interest in HIM. How would May respond?

Joseph has yet to sacrifice for love - unless his desire to escape Britain and join a Communist brotherhood is overwhelming! Of course he is well and truly under Ruby's thumb! But I felt this was the most stable relationship, outside of the sisters themselves ... in a second series of course, his Communist activities would become much more interesting as history progressed forwards ...

And finally Billy of course (he always feels like an afterthought, even though he was one of my favourite characters, and I want to see much more of him in a second series) - but then we already know his sacrifice, his secret, which is ongoing, and potentially could have hugely dangerous consequences for him, as homosexuality was illegal at that time.

Throughout all this, the girls have such a strong bond - and Victor will be a very beloved baby. But there is huge potential in a second series! Bring it on.





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