"The Darling Buds of May" Oh! To Be in England: Part 1 (TV Episode 1992) Poster

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8/10
Loves young dream
ygwerin130 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Mariette and Charlie are in their new family idyl awaiting their first born nipper, but blimey what a set of monikers to lumber the poor mite with. And why so many of them, save some up for the next ones?

Pa Larkin visits a local old biddy Mrs Meredith to have a look over, some of her stuff that she wants to get shot of.

The old girl seems more than happy with the bargain deal struck with Pa, until a relative Captain Broadbent turns up on the scene.

Pop has helped Charley set himself up with his first scheme to turn his hand to, now that he is self employed and can no longer rely on his taxman job. But he understandably wants to be his own man, and not to have to rely on Pa Larkins larges. But he should really think before he crashes in on 'Bargain Investments' without even seeing the goods first. Because Pop Larkin the 2nd he most certainly is not.

Charley and Mariette are having their nipper christened and Ma suggests making it a double event to include their new arrival Oscar.

The parish has a new vicar Reverend Candy who is rather taken aback to discover that non of the Larkin clan have been christened. But that is by far the least of his concerns when he meets young Primrose, who has been struck at first sight and has set her cap at him.
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5/10
no! to the replacement Primrose
RavenGlamDVDCollector17 June 2017
Abigail Rokison replaces Julie as Primrose, and doesn't even nearly come half up the mast. No, she falls flat. Hey, what's the big deal about Catherine Zeta Jones? She is the weak link in the set-up, can't anybody else see Mariette looks kinda stuck-up and even cold? The one I was cheering for, was the sultry little youngster awakening into young maidenhood, the original Primrose, but unfortunately, to hammer the first nail into the coffin of this series, the lovely little Julie had some commitments elsewhere...? And Primrose took a leave of absence to go 'au pair' in Paris, only to return as another actress.

The second nail hammered into the coffin is that, as mentioned already, there is a continued stark realization that Catherine Zeta Jones is just going through some basic motions and is generally blah! not living up to her hullabaloo at all, not in the slightest. Before you dismiss me (because I am surely standing up against a thundercloud) look at CZJ again, she seems forever distant, aloof, cool, not into it. This is The Raven speaking, I am generally very, very forgiving, but I detect vibes, no good ones.

If there is a person who is "just perfick" it is David Jason. I do not frequently comment on actors, but this guy is worth gold to the series. So is Pam Ferrer. BUT... BUT... BUT... this was something I originally saw just the first bit of, the first three long episodes. And that was enough. For my sake, clearly it should have stopped there. Scarcely did they marry (too soon) there is a pregnancy (way too soon) what were the scriptwriters doing, chasing a train? Oh, I realize it is based on some series of books, but come on! the Charlie & Mariette romance was at the heart of it, and the quick marriage and pregnancy took the magic away all too soon.

Actually, only worthy of a 4, but the 5 is merited because of the charm it has. Thank David Jason for that.

In short, no buzz for forthcoming episodes.
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