Shows Round Up Ep 002 (Sanditon, A Christmas Carol, Vanity Fair, North & South)

The story is based from Jane Austen's unfinished novel, Sanditon. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews and most of the negative ones say that the show is nothing like a Jane Austen story. I love Jane Austen period dramas (I think I re-watch the 1995 Pride & Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility every year lol) so of course I was excited to watch it, despite the negative reviews.

I did love it. I think, you have to forget that it's a Jane Austen story and just try to see it as it is, it's a very good show. Unfortunately, they obviously set up the story for a season 2 which isn't happening (it started airing in the US /PBS Masterpiece recently, so if it gained a lot of interest there's a chance they might pick it up again but don't hold your breath), so the ending is somewhat unsatisfying. If I have to point out a specific thing that I don't like, it would be how Sidney Parker (Theo James) is so rude. If it's in my power to make a season 2, I'd make sure it would be Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) and Stringer (Leo Suter) that will end up together lmao. They also released an official companion book - The World Of Sanditon: The Official Companion which I really want to get :(

Prior to watching this, I've heard some criticisms regarding the casting and changes in the plot. I haven't actually read the book but I vaguely know the story about The Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas. 

While I do love a faithful book to TV adaptation, I don't see anything wrong with retelling the story wholly. This isn't the last time 'A Christmas Carol' is going to be made for TV (or into a movie) so I think it's best to look at each adaptation separately from it's source. 

For the most part, I did like the story but I did have some issues with it. The first episode was slow paced. It was also weird that Mary had witchy abilities. Also, what Scrooge did to Mary is just a ticking time bomb.

Vanity Fair (2018) 



I honestly can't recall the story that much, but just thought to include this to continue book and ITV / BBC theme for this post. The only thing I remember is that sinking feeling I had while watching Becky Sharpe (Olivia Cooke) doing things that will undoubtedly backfire one day.

North & South (2004)


Heard a lot of people comparing this to Pride & Prejudice, but a lot of stories had leads who disliked each other in the beginning. I've watched a lot of period dramas and have gotten used to all the dainty costumes, tea parties and balls. It was actually quite refreshing to see something industrial and dark (as in dingy). It is still a love story and the ending quite satisfactory so I highly recommend it! 

You Might Also Like