A Place to Call Home

[LarrytheCucumber]

Am I the only one watching season 3? I am really enjoying it.

[redhat]

Oooh what channel is it on?

[redhat]

Found it. I didn't even realise they would be making another. They seemed to bring it all to a conclusion last series

[LarrytheCucumber]

BBC2, 3pm. It is nearly finished, but available on i player.

[morningtoncrescent62]

I hadn't realised there was a series 3. I watched the first 2 series on catch-up a year or so ago and loved them. Off to find series 3!

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

Nice clothes but it is ludicrous

[iwantavuvezela]

Yes I stumbled upon this and record it to watch in the evening. I rather enjoy its gentle approach.

[LarrytheCucumber]

Redhat that is because the Australian channel decided not to go ahead with season 3, and then another channel took it on so they remade the last episode of season 2 with a slightly different ending.
What is ludicrous about it Onlyhere? It's a soap, so you wouldn't expect it to be believable, would you? I enjoy it, anyway.

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

It's ludicrous because everything happens to everyone all the time. But v. Enjoyable

[Redzer]

Yes, was surprised to see it back. Glad they re wrote the end of series 2. Have enjoyed it. Over too soon.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I like the way Elizabeth has developed. And the ghastly Regina Cruella Deville. And Norman and Mrs Town Gossip, who is actually turning into quite a good egg.
It isn't exactly high drama, but enjoyable none the less.

[morningtoncrescent62]

I still can't believe Elizabeth isn't played by Roberta Taylor who played Gina Gold in The Bill. She looks and sounds so like her.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I kind of see what you mean.
I find Olivia's attempt at an English aristocratic accent a bit irritating. There are quite a few clips of the cast talking about their roles online. They all say what a decent man George is, but he does come across as a bit spineless. There is a series 4 in the pipeline so maybe he will man up.

[morningtoncrescent62]

Well, I finally finished catching up this afternoon. I watched the last couple of episodes of the previous series before I started with this one - either they made no impression at the time, or I'd missed them at the time Anyway, a few thoughts:

Regina has turned too evil to be believable. Never did such a ghastly wretch walk this earth!

Elizabeth, by contrast, has become too nice to be consistent with her earlier character. I don't think the reconciliations with either Sarah or Caroline would be as complete as they've turned out to be.

Can't believe Olivia would have waited this long to take a lover - but I'm very glad she's finally got around to it. Her doormattish waiting around for James was getting wearing.

Hehehe, is standing for parliament really a good idea when your family cupboard is standing room only for skeletons? Come on George, you haven't thought this through.

Couldn't they have got someone with reasonable French to write the few phrases they needed? It's a long time since my French A level, but even I knew they were getting it wrong, and Sarah's French accent did little to convince me she'd lived there.

What a lot of near misses! Wow, the phone rings just as George is setting off for his ill-fated marriage to Reggie. And now Elizabeth gets a heart attack just as she's about to snatch happiness on her Egyptian adventure.

But despite, or maybe because of, all the above, it's still an enjoyable watch, and there's something strangely compelling about it. I like the occasional historical references - Goossens and the Sydney Opera House for instance. And the scenery's great.

[LarrytheCucumber]

Glad you mentioned the French, Morning to. I only did 'O' level, but even I thought it was a bit iffy.
The marriage between George and Reggie being conducted so conveniently before George could find out that Dr Normann had died was very far fetched.
I don't think Olivia going off to find the artist with James in tow is going to go well. No doubt he has moved on.
I agree though, all very enjoyable.

[morningtoncrescent62]

I've only just realised that the series has finished! I went on to iPlayer last night looking forward to the next episode... Noooooo! I need to know what's happened to Elizabeth. Is it curtains for her? Has the evil Reggie poisoned Sarah? Will she lose the child? Will Olivia live happily ever after with her artist friend or will the attraction of James's stately pile prove too much? Can Anna and Gino make a go of it? Will Jack avenge Carolyn's assault and will they finally get their happy ever after? So many threads left unravelling.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I think there is a 4th series!

[morningtoncrescent62]

Yes, Larry, and wikipedia says it's due to be shown on SoHo from September 2016. Hope we get it soon after that. If not I might have to move to Australia/NZ to find out what happens.

[LarrytheCucumber]

[morningtoncrescent62]

Ah, I've just noticed upthread that you said they re-made the last episode of s2 with a different ending, Larry. That would explain why I hadn't remembered it at all.

Another thing - I can't remember why Carolyn and Jack didn't get married. I know Carolyn said something to Elizabeth this series about an affair being more exciting, but was there more to it than that? I've a feeling there's a backstory (not the one about Jack's - ahem - war wounds) that I might have forgotten. Carolyn's probably my favourite character. I really wanted there to be more crackly tension between her and Elizabeth when they were sharing the Sydney flat. I'm sure the old (s1 and s2) Elizabeth would have produced some fireworks in that situation!

[LarrytheCucumber]

Carolyn just told him she was happy as they are. Someone dropped a comment about her Bohemian past, so who knows.
I like her, too.
I have developed a soft spot for busybody Doris. She has softened since the first series.
When Elizabeth's husband fell off the bridge he was found by Roy and I wondered if he had tried it on with Roy.
Will one more series be enough to answer all our questions?

[morningtoncrescent62]

Will one more series be enough to answer all our questions?

If this series is anything to go by, no. The new series will just open up a dozen or so new cans of worms.

That's interesting about Roy and Elizabeth's husband - I hadn't thought of it, but you may be right. Doris is very obviously interested in him and it's not reciprocated, so maybe there's more about Roy's past to be unearthed?

[morningtoncrescent62]

Has anyone else been watching the s3 repeats in preparation for s4? I'm all up to speed now and looking forward to the new season starting tomorrow - very exciting!

[officerhinrika]

Tomorrow? Oh good!

[LarrytheCucumber]

Did anyone watch?
How did Sarah go from nursing to supply teaching? Was that normal in small town Australia?
Where is Mr Goddard?
And how has Elizabeth suddenly developed such liberal attitudes towards homosexuality at a time when it was still illegal?
I thought it was a bit weak yesterday and didn't hang together well. Still watching today though

[officerhinrika]

I thought the switch to teaching was a bit odd too, don't think they explained it particularly. Elizabeth has had a personality transplant sometime during the last series. I think the dashing draper must have gone off in his travels. Regina couldn't get any more panto villain if she tried but I was pleased to see the very prim Olivia getting to have a bit of fun at last. More fab dresses again.