User Reviews

I picked up the complete dvd set recently and have been ploughing through it.

I am old enough to have loved this drama since it was first shown in the early 1970s but of course nearly 50 years later I understand more of the historical and cultural references than I did when I was 12.

But my praise for this production is not mere nostalgia. It is amazing to see how well acted and written and produced it was.

TV dramas of a similar vintage sometimes seem obviously low budget and the scripts often too obviously reflect the year they were written and not the year they are set.

This drama is less guilty of the above faults then most I think.

I think this thing is a good source of British social history,because it is so well made it has not dated much.

August, 1912 Captain James Bellamy - still reeling from the death of his mother several months later, escapes for a weekend in Somerby with his friend 'Bunny' Newbury. This results in his re-encountering his old childhood sweetheart Lady Diana Russell.

It really is as early as this that we begin to see the 'disillusioned' side of James' character peep through, and see the mistakes and unhappiness just below the surface which would later result in his suicide many years later.

Missing Eaton Place, he's happier to return to re-establish his interest in Miss Forrest who will become his wife later in the year.

Not one of my favourite episodes this; partly due to the fact it takes place away from the familiar surroundings and characters of Eaton Place, but is somewhat brightened by the side story-line of Hudson possibly leaving the Bellamys after his run-in with Captain James, and the loss of his mistress Lady Marjorie. He helps out with the running of Somerby when their Butler is 'indisposed' and is subsequently offered the position. The burning question being; will he take it?