Abigail Rokison replaces Julie as Primrose, and doesn't even nearly come half up the mast. No, she falls flat. Hey, what's the big deal about Catherine Zeta Jones? She is the weak link in the set-up, can't anybody else see Mariette looks kinda stuck-up and even cold? The one I was cheering for, was the sultry little youngster awakening into young maidenhood, the original Primrose, but unfortunately, to hammer the first nail into the coffin of this series, the lovely little Julie had some commitments elsewhere...? And Primrose took a leave of absence to go 'au pair' in Paris, only to return as another actress.
The second nail hammered into the coffin is that, as mentioned already, there is a continued stark realization that Catherine Zeta Jones is just going through some basic motions and is generally blah! not living up to her hullabaloo at all, not in the slightest. Before you dismiss me (because I am surely standing up against a thundercloud) look at CZJ again, she seems forever distant, aloof, cool, not into it. This is The Raven speaking, I am generally very, very forgiving, but I detect vibes, no good ones.
If there is a person who is "just perfick" it is David Jason. I do not frequently comment on actors, but this guy is worth gold to the series. So is Pam Ferrer. BUT... BUT... BUT... this was something I originally saw just the first bit of, the first three long episodes. And that was enough. For my sake, clearly it should have stopped there. Scarcely did they marry (too soon) there is a pregnancy (way too soon) what were the scriptwriters doing, chasing a train? Oh, I realize it is based on some series of books, but come on! the Charlie & Mariette romance was at the heart of it, and the quick marriage and pregnancy took the magic away all too soon.
Actually, only worthy of a 4, but the 5 is merited because of the charm it has. Thank David Jason for that.
In short, no buzz for forthcoming episodes.