The Larkins - Sunday night reboot of Sunday night The Darling Buds of May

[MacMahon]

What do we think?

[MacMahon]

How come the children look so different? Is it a hint at different dads?

[1AngelicFruitCake]

@MacMahon

How come the children look so different? Is it a hint at different dads?

Surely it can’t be! No way that would be the reason going off the original.

Cattlenberg
I read a ‘Where are they now?’ and he was from Queensferry so not Kent!
I always thought the twins had harsh haircuts in the original, just like mine with the too short fringe 🙄😄
The original had so much charm. I love Charlie snd Mariettw together, in the later episodes there were moments of frustration with each other and I like that, compared with the longer relationship of Ma and Pa and how she scolds him but also their baths. They inspired me to eat in the bath (if you’ve never done it I can recommend it!)

[ppeatfruit]

Genetics are strange things, We have 3 children they all look completely different and I KNOW they have the same father!!! BUT our parents ,and theirs, are from very mixed backgrounds.

[Cattenberg]

They inspired me to eat in the bath (if you’ve never done it I can recommend it!)

When I was about six, I fulfilled my burning ambition to eat a Cadbury’s Flake in the bath. I realise that gives my age away.

[Rainbowsew]

@eggandonion

I wasn't allowed to wear trousers to school in the sixties and seventies.
I think Call the Midwife may have done a better job on diversity, but i will try the Larkins again next week. I thought Bradley would have been good in this role, maybe we know him too well as Bradley and not as a character actor.

I agree that call the midwife did a much better job on diversity. I was actually looking forward to seeing a black Charlie as I thought that'd be a really modern and interesting take on the "outsider from the city", even the brigadier was plausible for the time but to have several village members, the house purchasers AND the school teacher from ethnic minorities was so obviously an attempt to be pc and completely disregarded the reality of the time in a rural village.

There should be roles for actors from all backgrounds on TV but make modern shows for that, don't twist classics to a modern perspective. It does a disservice to those ethnic minorities in a way as it's like rewriting history to pretend that our society wasn't racist and was inclusive back in the past.

[ppeatfruit]

If you compare Walsh's 'acting' with Jason's, IMO it's obvious who the actual actor is.

[mydogisthebest]

I found it really boring so doubt I will watch any more.

[mum2jakie]

I'll give the second episode a go. It wasn't amazing but it was watchable and easy Sunday night viewing

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

ok.

wine, fire, dog. giving it one more go...

[hellywelly3]

Giving it another go but so far, Nah still crap

[woodhill]

It's just annoying. They are cfs.

BW sounds the same as ever

[MillicentMargaretAmanda]

Mariette actress far too old. Mariette was 17 in the books..also if I recall, Montgomery was next at 16 and then Primrose at 13.
And what's with the vicar swearing like a trouper?? I was so hopeful and am now thinking they should have left well enough alone.
In contrast, I think both The Durrells and ACGAS were beautifully done and I adored their originals as a kid.

[LadyTiredWinterBottom2]

I think Marriette is too old too.

I thought it was better this week, second half more so.

[Cattenberg]

It bothers me that every period drama has to spout 21st century values. I know that 21st century values are usually a good thing, but what’s the point of a period drama which airbrushes the past?

In the HE Bates novels, Pa Larkin hated to see the aristocracy fall on hard times. They deserved better than the plebs, apparently. Pa also kissed and fondled other women, and Ma knew about it and didn’t seem to mind. I think she thought that “variety” would keep Pa happy.

Times have changed, and surely there’s a way of showing this sensitively?

[Cattenberg]

The first series of The Durrell was great. It was slowly downhill from there. There’s a lot to be said for the US habit of bringing in a team of good writers to maintain a hit series.

[Springplanting]

The Durrells??

[Cattenberg]

Yeah, them.

[Springplanting]

I don't like The Larkins. Too woke in some areas and not at all reflective of 1958. Also they seem a lot hard nosed and rough compared to the The Darling Buds of May who were down to earth and nice but not rough. The smaller kids seem quite often over looked in this version. I don't like that coarse Vicar. Mariette who is too hard, too old and not a patch on the beautiful CZJ.

[Magicpaintbrush]

I'm going to stick with it to see if it gets better as it settles in, but agree with PPs comments.

I thought the Larkin's house was too big, too grand, too pristine, not ramshackle enough.

Didn't like the sweary vicar, seemed coarse and pointless.

Bradley Walsh was never going to be as good as David Jason - but then again, I can't think of a single 50 something current actor who could have lived up to the role either.

Everything did look too new and just out of the packet - with exception of the vehicles. Clothes etc just didn't look like they'd been worn before. The whole thing needed to looked more scuffed and lived in.

Spotted the little ford at Eynsford in Kent when Pop and Mariette were walking around the village.

[ppeatfruit]

Yes Cattenburg or there could be a comment from the presenter before the series explaining how the times have changed, like they do on R4 Extra before airing the old comedies. Some of those would fry the ears of 'WOKE' youngsters nowadays

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

@MillicentMargaretAmanda what is ACGAS??

I am also mad Durrells fan-my comfort watch and so nice that it is back on netflix.

[MillicentMargaretAmanda]

mumsie All Creatures Great And Small :-)

[Biscoffee]

I’m not really liking this version of The Darling Buds of May. It’s not quite hitting the spot.

[mumsiedarlingrevolta]

@MillicentMargaretAmanda

mumsie All Creatures Great And Small :-)

ah thanks @MillicentMargaretAmanda

is it worth a watch? not sure why I never had a look

[Maireas]

I agree that Mariette is too old. She also looks a bit hard. In fact, none of the characters are attractive or charming, maybe that's part of the problem. Apart from that young Irishman, but he's clearly up to no good.