This is one of the best series I have ever seen, and I have seen many. In particular, I loved the acting of John Simm in this. He was given such a rich, complex character to play- first as an abusive alcoholic, then becoming a "witnessing" Christian, and finally, towards the end of the series, gradually changing into a good father, so that his youngest child knew and lived with a very different father than his older sons experienced. Not to mention what happens to Simm's character at the end, which the actor handles with grace and seamlessness.
My raves about Simm's acting do not take away anything from the superb acting of Maxine Peale, who portrays a strong mother who too changes and grows throughout the series. In fact, "changes and grows" is the reason I love this series. Too many tv series today have either essentially unlikeable leading characters, or static individuals who neither change nor grow. In this show, we are given the treat of watching human beings live their lives, and sometimes they even learn from their mistakes. That's what makes us care, I think. Throughout the series I am rooting for Grace, Bert, Joe, John, the teacher, and even some of the family up at the Big House.
The other series that makes me root for characters is Downton Abbey, to which this series is often compared. "A bleaker Downton Abbey", some reviewers say, either liking the bleakness or not. And yet for me, although "The Village " portrays many of the harsh realities of the poor at that time, it is ultimately a hopeful series.
Finally, I want to say something about the scenery. While it was usually breathtakingly beautiful, that beauty served to underscore, even put a punctuation point, on the tragedies and occasional joys that took place there. Thus, the scenery became another character, sometimes a mocking one: "Yes, I'm beautiful, but I'm not gonna make your life any easier."
The series was riveting, expertly portrayed, and most of all, true. A giant thank you to all who gave us this gift.
My raves about Simm's acting do not take away anything from the superb acting of Maxine Peale, who portrays a strong mother who too changes and grows throughout the series. In fact, "changes and grows" is the reason I love this series. Too many tv series today have either essentially unlikeable leading characters, or static individuals who neither change nor grow. In this show, we are given the treat of watching human beings live their lives, and sometimes they even learn from their mistakes. That's what makes us care, I think. Throughout the series I am rooting for Grace, Bert, Joe, John, the teacher, and even some of the family up at the Big House.
The other series that makes me root for characters is Downton Abbey, to which this series is often compared. "A bleaker Downton Abbey", some reviewers say, either liking the bleakness or not. And yet for me, although "The Village " portrays many of the harsh realities of the poor at that time, it is ultimately a hopeful series.
Finally, I want to say something about the scenery. While it was usually breathtakingly beautiful, that beauty served to underscore, even put a punctuation point, on the tragedies and occasional joys that took place there. Thus, the scenery became another character, sometimes a mocking one: "Yes, I'm beautiful, but I'm not gonna make your life any easier."
The series was riveting, expertly portrayed, and most of all, true. A giant thank you to all who gave us this gift.