Gentleman Jack

[GinsBond]

Just rewatching Gentleman Jack. Fantastic series and very well made.

But, here's the thing, second time round of watching I can't help but think that Anne Lister comes across as a bully and controlling. She basically finds someone who is isolated, controlled and manipulated by her family and then proceeds to bully and control her.

It's complex and brilliantly written but on watching it again I can't help but see her with fresh eyes. Still think as a character of her time she is impressive but she's a very complicated person.

What did others think?

Yes I thought that - she’s certainly far from an unalloyedly nice character. I felt like she was supposed to be doing what a man in her position would do ie find a nice heiress to marry. I didn’t really feel that she was controlling of Ann, but definitely manipulative to get what she wants.

The reason I say she is controlling is she keeps on demanding that Anne Walker does X, Y or Z and then gets the hump when she doesn't do it as quickly as Lister wants her to do.

For example, in the second series she's pushing her to get her will sorted so she has a life interest in her estate despite having her own house/money. When Anne Walker says she wants to go slowly because her sisters husband is abusive, she effectively sulks and questions her commitment. At the same time as telling her other friend that she's not in love with Anne Walker but feels obligated to look after her.

Just seeing it with fresh eyes this time.