Gentleman Jack

[saveforthat]

Did anyone watch the first of series 2 tonight? What did you think?

Are the family with the pigs, AL's tenants? I'd forgotten that storyline. And wondering what they are adding the the story

Yes, I think they are. Apparantely that is one of the only fictional storylines in the whole thing. I think they should have been laid to rest in Season 1. I'm not sure what they add at all, they are a distraction and FAR too much time was spent on them last night!

I am enjoying the new series so far and think the tenant family/ pig-pen subplot is interesting too. I love Anne Lister's relationship with her aunt; she is so understanding of the situation. Thanks @trancepants for clarifying some of the issues in the programme - it's difficult to remember all the plot points when there's been such a long gap between series.

I've just caught up with the series, it sort of annoys me that Ann Listers success seems to be based on the premise that she looks and behaves like a man. I also didn't like how she groomed Ann Walker in the last series.

I can never work out what her intentions are either.

I'm glad Ann Walker stands up for herself and isn't bullied into anything by Ann Lister.

From what I understood Ann Walker does own her aunts house but it was written into law that her aunt could stay there until she died.

@Pebble21uk yes I agree. It added nothing to series one anyway.

I find Suranne Jones' performance in this so hammy and irritating.

Struggling to follow the plot.

Tonight's episode seemed very disjointed, and I found it hard to follow.

I am still thoroughly enjoying Gentleman Jack. Ann Lister is a fascinating character and I think the series examines the deep emotional currents between the various characters so v well. Mariana Lawton is so manipulative in this episode.

I liked this episode, yes she was so manipulative! Do you think she lied about what her husband was up to? I couldn't decide as he is horrible but maybe she was playing the sympathy card.

Still very naughty of Anne though!

I've really enjoyed this series so far - there seems to be more happening. Ann Walker has really livened up since the trip to Paris and the Alps, and she dealt with the suitor very well. Agree about AL's eyebrows, though. I like the humour (wish there was more). AL must've been a remarkable person. Seems as if we're about to learn about some of the prejudice she faced (from the man at the Waterways meeting).

Love it and love Suranne! Last nights DP was superb…

EP!

I was expecting the kitchen maid to say that the husband was abusing her and that's why she wasn't working well.

I wanted to slap Anne more than once this week! She was so horrible to her sister, so selfish.

She lacks empathy, is self important, a terrible snob, lies to Ann and scares all her staff.

She's so unlikable!

I agree, why is she allowed to do as she pleases and hold the purse strings. Why can't the dad help or give sister a dowry

I can't keep track of who everyone is. Agreed that Anne is just awful. Why shouldn't her sister marry if she wants to.

Did anyone catch the Thatcheresque speech at the end? That can't have been an accident!

Watched first series but when I read about her being unfaithful in first episode I thought no can’t be bothered so haven’t.

She was AWFUL to her sister.

"Let me live my extremely unconventional life, but if you attempt to find happiness with someone I don't approve of...:then you're dead to me"

I'm really enjoying the depiction of the life and times of the people. And yes, that speech was very Thatcheresque 😎

Why is AL so against her sister's marriage? Is it to do with the estate (I think I may have missed something) or is she genuinely concerned for her welfare?

Why is AL so against her sister's marriage? Is it to do with the estate (I think I may have missed something) or is she genuinely concerned for her welfare?

The bits I have read about the real Ann Lister say despite her many strengths she was a terrible snob and so I think she believes Mariann would be besmirching the Lister family name by marrying beneath her. Really horrible attitude and no thought of her sister’s happiness. It’s ironic that although AL was willing to defy social convention of the time regarding her love life, she was rigid about other social norms. Gentleman Jack shows this v well.

Why does AL only ever massage Miss Walker’s left shoulder at bedtime? 😜

Poor Marianne. Anne isn't very empathetic towards her sister is she? Especially when you consider how understanding the family is about Anne's eccentricities and life style choices. And given Anne's own desire to find a companion and settle down, you'd think she'd might understand why Marianne would want the same thing.

This sums it up very well.

Yes and why does Ann have so much influence

In Jane Austen novels they often marry clergy who were of a different social status