At the regatta: Diana, Lady Campion, Charlotte, and Mrs. Parker
As popular television fare goes, Davies’ Sanditon is quite entertaining. In the first 16 minutes of Episode Seven, so many dizzying plot developments are introduced, that they left this viewer’s head spinning. By the end of the episode, everything but the kitchen sink had been thrown into the mix to keep viewers hungering for more. (The last episode is a doozy, but we’ll get to it next week.)
Davies’ sledge -hammer approach felt so heavy handed at times, that (honestly) I ran to my bookshelf to retrieve Pride and Prejudice. Reading Austen’s delightful, familiar words gave me a sense of calm. I put down the book and continued to watch the episode.
As certain characters in Davies’ Sanditon reveal their distasteful ambitions, such as when Clara Brereton told Esther Denham about her sexual gymnastics with Sir Edward on the drawing room floor after burning Lady Denham’s will and divvying up her fortune (as that lady lay dying), I reached for my first glass of wine, but I am getting ahead of myself.
Let’s face it. Austen did not hesitate to create nasty characters. Think of Sense and Sensibility. Fanny Dashwood, John’s wife, is a piece of work plotting to oust Mrs. Dashwood, John’s stepmother, and his stepsisters from Norland Park almost as soon as the elder Mr. Dashwood was buried. Her machinations were despicable, but under Austen’s skillful pen, Fanny’s method to drive them out was masterful, awesome, ruthless, and nuanced. John, her husband, is a manipulated fool and yet a willing conspirator in disregarding his father’s express desire for his stepsisters’ and stepmother’s future security.
We felt the Dashwood women’s pain and grief. We understood their pride and anger as they chose to leave an impossible situation as soon as possible. We felt for Marianne Dashwood when she fell for Willoughby, a flawed but smooth-talking and handsome character. Readers knew, along with Colonel Brandon, that he had gotten a virginal girl pregnant and then abandoned her to a life of shame.
Elinor Dashwood, a sensible character, at first had difficulty seeing through Lucy Steele, a conniving little witch. When Elinor finally figured her out, she was trapped into listening to information about Edward Ferrars that felt like knives stabbing her heart. More than once I wanted her to bitch slap that girl, but Elinor has more class than me.
Who can forget Fanny Dashwood’s mother? She was an outspoken battle-ax and manipulator of the worst sort, whose conversation provoked Marianne to defend her sister with a truthful artlessness that was bold and threw caution to the wind.
The difference between Austen’s villains and Davies’ is that Austen laid a careful groundwork for their motivations and behavior. The dark undertones of conflict between Willoughby and Colonel Brandon resonate with us. The secrets the two men withheld from Marianne, and the complexity of their love and longing for her add to the suspense of the plot—who will she choose? Which choice makes sense to the heart of a young girl? Which is the more mature, sensible choice? How do experience, suffering, and maturity add to a character’s growth and understanding?
In Davies’ Sanditon, secondary characters and villains tend to be one dimensional, almost cartoon-like. The main protagonists, Charlotte and Sidney, are given more complex motivations, which I appreciate, especially in this episode as they attempt to overcome their misunderstandings and grow closer. Their longing for each other is palpable, as Lady Susan and Young Stringer notice.
Now, let’s examine the salient plot lines in this second to the last episode.
Stupid is as stupid does
While Lucy Steele’s devised her trap for Elinor with evil genius, she kept her plans to herself until she approached Edward. Clara Brereton is just plain dumb. She lords it over Esther, who is unable to hide her emotions for her stepbrother. A gloating Clara reveals that she and Edward found the will, agreed to 50% of the cut, then burned it. Seeing Esther’s disbelief, she adds salt to the wound to reveal that she and Sir Ed sealed the deal with a quickie on the drawing room floor. Charlotte Spencer, the actress who plays Esther, stepped up her acting chops and gave a superb performance throughout this episode. We feel her pain, her horror, and then her understanding of the situation.
Most of all, we (I) cheered her hard slap to Clara’s face. Then, when Clara figures out that Esther is still a virgin, she says,”No wonder he was so keen to take his pleasure elsewhere.” We (I) wished that Esther had knocked her unconscious to the floor. (I’ve been watching too many Marvel movies.)
As for Clara, she’s no Jane Fairfax. Her situation as Lady D’s dependent companion is precarious. Falsely confident, she assumes the mantle of the victor prematurely. Jane Fairfax kept silent until all the dominoes fell safely in place before Frank Churchill revealed their romantic bond. Clara, who has just as much to lose, could not stop herself from gloating.
A vengeful phoenix arises from the ashes and swoops on her victims with talons outstretched
Esther, in her misery, pays a final visit to Lady Denham. Her confession to the comatose lady is revealing. She says:
You should know there’s not a single person alive who holds you in the least affection. Not Edward, Clara, not me…“You will die unloved, and Edward, my Edward—she holds Lady D’s hand—“Truth is, he’s betrayed us both. He betrayed us when he and Clara lay with each other on the drawing room floor. He betrayed us when he and Clara conspired to burn your will and share your fortune. I truly hope that you find happiness in heaven, because this earth has become a living hell.”
Hours or days later, Esther sits waiting in the hallway as Sir Ed awakens from a couch just outside of Lady D’s bedroom. He yawns and says,
I did not know it was going to be this drawn out [or] I would have been in bed.”
Esther replies sarcastically,
Perhaps you would have been more comfortable on the floor.”
He shoots her a curious look. Then, wonder of wonders, the unfortunately named Dr. Fuchs runs towards them.
Her fever broke!…She may yet recover altogether!”
While Clara blanches, as if the ghost of Northanger Abbey has come to attack her, Sir Ed’s collar grows three sizes too small.
Somewhat later, he and Clara simper up to Lady D, who’s still abed. Sir Ed says unctuously,
Words cannot express our belief. Dr. Fuchs has our eternal gratitude.”
Lady D, holding a glass with a milky substance, says,
Why? If anyone deserves credit, it is the ass who restored my strength.”
Austen created the running joke of Lady D’s milch asses, from whom that wealthy widow planned to make much money. Davies and his team hardly used that funny material, an opportunity missed.
Clara adds timidly,
We have kept constant vigil.”
A steely-eyed Lady D then gives the two of them her what for.
Mmmm. Well, you can dry your eyes. Dying is highly disagreeable…although it has to be said there is nothing like imminent death to focus the mind. I have under-estimated the boundless depth of your venality.”
The two blather and bluster, but Lady D waves them off.
Enough, you feeble parasites…Get out, and needless to say, I shall be laying a new floor in my drawing room, since the old one has been indelibly stained!”
Gentle readers, who’d have thunk a wood floor would become such an important character in a mini-series? Oh, the drama! Sir Ed is disinherited. Clara is banished to London post haste. And Esther appears to be the sole remaining heir to the Denham fortune. At this point, I poured my second glass of wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and munched copious amounts of Utz Party Mix, which contains not one wholly natural ingredient as far as I can tell.
Turbo recap of the rest of the story
Tom Parker is beside himself when he gushes that all the beau monde in London have traveled to Sanditon. He greets Lady Susan with an obsequiousness that is cringe worthy. When he tells her that Sanditon has the finest situation on the south coast, she pooh-poohs the idea,
Oh, shush. Never mind all that. If I gave a fig about the sea, I’d have gone to Brighton.” (A delicious cut.)
It turns out that she’s come to continue her conversation with Charlotte, which, to my mind, was nothing more than artless chatter at a fancy ball from a simple girl from a simple farm near an undeveloped town. One can never divine the whims of the rich and famous, so we’ll have to take Lady Susan’s word at face value.
She and Charlotte chatter, and the lady’s keen observation tells her that she’s in love. Her discernment also tells her that Lady Eliza Campion, one of the richest women in the country and an old connection to Sidney Parker, stands in the way of Charlotte’s happiness. Lady S, a kind busybody, will see to that. She’ll find a chink in Lady Campion’s armour and put a stop to her designs on Sidney Parker. Anything for a friend she’s known for all of two hours.
Charlotte, upset at seeing Lady C, turns away from the assembled company and encounters Young Stringer in the woods. We learn this late in the series that his first name is James. James Stringer. Had Davies and his team meant for Stringer to be a likely love interest for Charlotte, we would have learned this important fact earlier. In the course of their conversation, James realizes that while he yearns for Charlotte, she yearns for someone else. Like the stoic man he is, he holds his feelings to himself and lets her go. C’mon, James! Fight for your woman!
We then see the three Parker brothers strolling towards the regatta. As they converse, we learn that Sidney has loved Eliza Campion for a decade and that his broken heart drove him to the West Indies. (Another bit of news that comes late in the series.) Sidney only says that it’s a strange feeling to want something that is impossible and to find that it’s suddenly in your grasp. For once Arthur sounds intelligent and says that while he admires Sidney’s spirit of forgiveness, if it were him, he would never trust that lady again.
As a quick aside, Miss Lambe, who has been strangely delegated as a secondary character in the background, shows signs of deep depression. Arthur Parker visits her and insists that she join them in the festivities. She goes unwillingly, but it is obvious that he has a crush on her.
The regatta is a letdown. There’s a sandcastle competition, a fisherman’s boat race, and a gentleman’s rowing race that James Stringer and his crew win. Tents provide food and drink, but I see nothing that would attract the beau monde to return a second time.
Before the rowing competition, Sidney and Charlotte make goo goo eyes at each other on the boat as he practices his strokes and shows her how to row along with him. (I do so love symbolism.) Eliza Campion watches them from the banks, jealous and suspicious. After the race she makes a pitch, telling him she never lost hope and that fate is giving them a second chance.
Sir Ed fails in his quest to woo Esther back and share her fortune. The once confident man is drunk and disheveled as he encounters Clara with her packed bags at the docks. He tells her off harshly and brags that he’s still a gentleman and titled. “Yes,” she says, “but I had nothing to lose…You’re alone and unloved.”
After a revealing conversation with Sir Ed, who spoke in derogatory terms about Esther, Lord Babbington hurries to see her. He tells her that he can’t forget her and that he has her back, always.
I feel I could spend a thousand years in your company and still not have enough.”
Esther begins to cry.
You…know nothing.”
He replies,
I think you’ve been his prisoner for too long.”
The background music swells in my head as he continues talking to her in this romantic vein.
In the last scene, Sidney approaches Charlotte.
I thought you and Mrs. Campion would be heading back for London,” she says.
She’s already left. I decided against joining her. On reflection, I realized I would rather be here…I believe I’m my best self—my truest self when I’m with you.”
The music crescendos. My heart’s a flutter. Perhaps from the wine, but it might be that all this romantic stuff is making me feel all puddly inside.
Next week: the conclusion. Or is it? (Gentle readers, those of you who binge watched this series, please include no spoilers in the comments. Thank you!)
Jane Austen's World 
Vic, your telling of the tale is full of more fun and energy than the watching of it. Brava!
Thank you, Collins! When Esther bawled “You…know nothing…” I wanted so badly to add, “…John Snow.” One must revere a PBS Masterpiece mini series, however, and so I restrained myself.
I’m with you, Collins – well said, Vic! Are you sure the kitchen sink wasn’t in there somewhere?
Let me ask the scullery maid. Wait! Servants are hardly visible in the mini-series.
I’m with you, Collins – well said, Vic! but re you sure the kitchen sink wasn’t in there somewhere?
Lynne, I left the second comment to demonstrate this fault to others who are frustrated that their comments don’t show up. This is a function of wordpress (probably on a busy night when servers are working over time).
All comments are welcome, Just not one from trolls.
Thank you for taking one for the team and sparing me the watching of this.
Glad to save you the bother. I must admit I love watching television that unleashes my sense of fun and mischief. Jane Austen is no one to fool with. She’s my true north author. Don’t mess with Jane.
It is all too ridiculous, but I keep watching. I adore the actress who plays Lady Susan, but the part is too stupid. Davies has lost it all with this one. Will the new Emma adaptation prove worthy of Miss Austen? Time will tell.
She’s elegantly beautiful, isn’t she? And wasted in this production. Her name is Sophie Winkleman and she is, in real life, Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windor, the son of QE II’s first cousin Prince Michael of Kent. So interesting!!
I’m attending an Emma discussion at Goucher College with Dr. Juliette Wells, then will watch Emma at an historic movie theatre in downtown Baltimore. I certainly will review that experience!!
If only I didn’t live in California! Please share your experience after the Emma discussion at Goucher College as well as watching Emma at what must be a beautiful historic theater.
After the second episode, I realized that this was too annoying, too distressing to see how little was honored…the time, the manners, the wit, the charm….gone in a disappointing 21st century modest soap opera. I am so disappointed.
Same here, although friends from abroad cautioned me that if we suspended our Austen respect and watched the series from a commercial television POV, we might like it.
Your review/critiques have been even more entertaining than the series. They’re wonderful.
*Blush* Thank you.
I especially appreciate your comments (across several posts) about the Denhams and Clara because one of the things that has been missing to me in this series is the comedy and absurdity that I enjoy about Jane Austen stories. The Denhams (and the Parker siblings, who are mostly ignored) were clearly set up to be the silly characters in the original Sanditon fragment, and these characteristics are mostly lost in this version. It comes across overly serious and dark, which makes it feel like a soap opera, as several people have mentioned.
At this point, I’m mostly here for Esther and Lord Babbington…
Good points. As for Esther and Lord Babbington – his ardent attraction to her is truly romantic. This side story is lovely. I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Their story is much more compelling to me than whatever is going on with Sidney and Charlotte, who seem to be a hodgepodge of existing Austen characters (rather like a “sledge-hammer” version of Darcy and Elizabeth, to use your description of the writing). Esther and Lord Babbington have their own unique story, which I greatly appreciate.
Kirsten and Vic: Just finished viewing Sanditon this afternoon and in retrospect I am with you – the Esther/Lord Babbington characters and romance sounds more Austen-like. I was routing for him all along.
Your reviews of Sanditon are a pleasure to read. Do I detect a bit more sauciness in your writing since you upped sticks from Richmond? Huzzah, dear lady! Jane herself would love your wit and droll observations.
I’m among the crowd gathering tar and feathers for Mr. Davies. The costumes and setting for Sanditon are perfection but Davies has to tromp around sullying the wooded glens and wooden floors with a bawdy sexuality. Tom Jones and Moll Flanders would never roil and grope their way through Sanditon on Jane’s watch.
The rowing scene made me reach for my fan. I must say that my heart fluttered within my shallow bosom. Alas, Davies had to explain the scene for the feeble minded and those viewers six years and under. His corpse like concupiscence
truly give me the willies. I want to rap his knuckles with my fan or give him a proper conk on his sizeable head with a fire iron.
Please fetch me a glass of wine, Dear, and pass the Utz.
Rachel, Thank you for your compliments. Now that I have more free time, I am following my instincts to use humor in recapping shows that beg for satire. In the early days of this blog, I reviewed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies-a-review-of-a-high-concept-parody/.
I then reviewed the graphic novel. https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/tag/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies/
Other reviews were just as audacious, if I may add. As time went on, work, life, and family intervened, and I used a more cautious approach.
I hope to find my voice again.
Your comment is funny and made me laugh. I thought of Fielding and Tom Jones as well. Perhaps Davies is testing us. What think you?
Vic
This is very good. You make an important point when you say Austen laid careful groundwork — she also kept her characters consistent so that when they altered, they were not like weathercocks. This was an hour of continually ratcheted up (and thus meretricious) climaxes. Lady Denham’s miraculous recovery showed how the a full episode and a half was taken up with dead-end antics. I’m too busy right now to keep writing carefully about each episode. You do a good deed not to expose this kind of shallow trash masquerading as deep feeling (fooling no one I hope). Austen and her fragment written while dying, in pain deserved better.
Ellen, your last sentence resonates with me. I’ve wanted to address Austen’s emphasis on the hypochondriacs in the Parker family — Susan, Diana, and Arthur. Davies eliminated Susan, who, in Austen’s fragment, had teeth pulled to alleviate her symptoms. Under Davies’ treatment, this subject, which was important in Austen’s last months, given that she dealt with her mother’s constant ailments, a mother whose chronic sickness probably took precedence over Jane’s when her daughter’s condition was dire, well, in this mini-series, this serious topic was treated with light-hearted humor. I could continue for several paragraphs, but it’s late. Thank you for visiting. V
I won’t repeat all the reasons this series is so wrong. (Charlotte, please put your hair up like a grown woman!) But I almost fell out of my chair when, in the little “Austen Unspoken” epilogue, Davies said he had read Austen so many times that he “could generate her dialog without problems.” Seriously???
Candice, Austen’s voice is missing from this mini-series. ‘Nuff said.
God! Hair!
Charlotte is her own person. Her hair adds to her subtle, individuality, her unconventionalality, her non cookie cutter, dares to be herself, not preoccupied with conforming. Her hair for me further shows her difference to Lady Campion, stuffed, laced up phoney, sneaky mannerisms…
Totally agree.
I have had no intention of watching the films but have been curious so thanks for the comic precises —
I’m glad you’ve found a way to keep up with the series. My reviews are part tongue in cheek, partly serious. It’s been fun reading the comments.
*Spoiler Alert* Have thoroughly enjoyed the whole series, couldn’t care less whether it was true to the spirit of Jane Austin or not. Even can appreciate the creative plot twists at the end. There is one thing that bothers me though now I watched episode 8. All throughout I experienced this piece as a refreshing tribute to girl power, and I wish Charlotte would have stayed true to herself by speaking her mind when she was treated so badly. Instead, she practically becomes speechless. The perspective switches from her to Sidney which makes me believe that Mr Davies is showing his true misogynistic colors. Such a disappointment. Sidney’s sacrifice, what a load of bull. Charlotte being more confident in her judgment of what is right or wrong would have been my preferred ending. Also very unbelievable that Charlotte who has a very high EQ is oblivious to Mr Stringer’s turmoils. I wonder, does Mr Davies himself subscribe to the old-fashioned idea that when women “fall in love” they lose all their wits and are destined to become fulfilled? Men, on the other hand, being the rational sex, will be prosperous and forever unhappy. Puke.
Thank you for your comment, Mireille. I added the spoiler alert because so many readers have not yet seen Episode Eight. My thoughts for Episodes 1-2 expressed how much I enjoyed Davies’ Sanditon, but I run a Jane Austen blog and have read the novel fragment. Jane’s plot, I believe, intended to go in a different direction. This does not take away from the enjoyment of Episodes 1-5. I hate stupidity, though, and Edward and Clara aren’t the brightest characters. I wonder why Miss Lambe’s story line was built up, only to be dropped. She went from a strong, proud character to a depressed woman hiding in a dark room. This does not compute. Having said this, I can’t wait to review Episode Eight, which has received strong reactions world wide.
My goodness, Vic there is some,”passion,” in your response. This Sanditon certainly ignited my thoughts and reactions too. Are you sitting in front of each episode making furious notes? I know the feeling. I think I wrote at one time that Davies’s Sanditon would make a great novel just not a Jane Austen novel. Ah the last episode! Just you wait and see. Have you got your therapist on hold. Disbelief, frustration, disappointment. Things like that can damage you psychologically. Will any of us ever recover?
Yeah, Tony. I used to write more tongue in cheek reviews than I have lately, but Davies’ Sanditon begs for a little fun. Like you, I take notes. There’s so much material to choose from, especially in a chapter crammed with last minute plot lines. Thank you for encouraging me to watch the series and to not compare it too much to Austen, although it’s hard not to.
I’m placing two links to your Sanditon recaps, because they’re economical and will jog peoples’ memories. Hope you’re safely weathering the storm battering Great Britain. Vic
First four episodes: http://general-southerner.blogspot.com/2019/09/sanditon-first-four-episodes-hot-stuff.html
Last four episodes: (Spoiler alert for Episode 8) http://general-southerner.blogspot.com/2019/10/sanditon-four-more-episodes-stress-and.html
The storm, or rather both storms, Ciara, was the first one, and over the last two days, storm Dennis hit us too. Apparently the next storm to come along will be called Ellen. Yes , it goes alphabetically but who thinks of the names, don’t ask me. Ha! Ha! The weather has been out of the ordinary. Where we live , in South London the winds have not been very strong but we have had a lot of rain. Our back garden is sodden and we can see water almost level with the top of the grass. London is built on clay basin so water tends to stay on the surface. The nearest flooding of houses is in Surrey at Leatherhead. The River Mole has burst its banks. But I couldn’t leave off without a Jane Austen reference. People who live in Leatherhead, not far from Box Hill and close to Great Bookham where Jane stayed with her Aunt and Uncle, think Leatherhead was the location of Highbury and Hartfield in Emma. No it isn’t. Jane used her extensive knowledge of English country towns and created a fictional quintessential 18th century English community. Every country town can see itself in Highbury and Hartfield.
Getting back to your reviews of Sanditon so far, I like the way you have referenced her other novels and characters and discussed Austen’s character development compARED TO aNDREW dAVIES’S EXAGGERATED EFFORTS. The way I wrote my reviews was completely experimental. I was adapting and developing a way of doing it as I went along. I realise they are almost written and can be read as though they are in real time.But this Sanditon is a good romp and as such is enjoyable. Well I think so. Have a lovely day. All the best, Tony
I love love your commentary!!!!
Thank you, Rachel. Tongue in cheek tickles many funny bones.
I will like so much for Season 2 .I will be satisfied when Charlotte marry to Sidney and all well and Done .So please don’t dissapoint the Fans Bring it on. I will be watching👀👁
Let PBS know. I’ll find an email address for the last episode
I love this show. Sort of a modern day Jane Austen. The chemistry between Charlotte and Sidney is so intense it leaves me breathless. Can’t wait till next week and I hope they do another season.
Nancy, I somehow missed your comment to reply. I agree, another season or at least a final episode is warranted.
Thanks for this! My reactions exactly. I was so disappointed in the first episode, but after watching the second I made up my mind to enjoy the story for what it is, and set aside what it isn’t–and it isn’t Jane Austen.
I am a bit confused as to Esther’s position. Since she is no blood relation to Edward, she is also no blood relation to Lady Denham’s husband. Why would the lady leave her estate to Esther? And Charlotte–why the emphasis on her being a farmer’s daughter instead of the daughter of a gentleman? (Remembering Lizzy’s rejoinder to Lady Catherine here.)
Since this is the first of your blog posts I’ve read, I look forward to going back and catching up before the final episode. In any case, the acting is excellent but the writing is not the tidy package filled with delights that Austen offers.
Laura, Tony Grant’s comment below is the perfect answer to your question, which is an excellent one. His explanation illuminated Sir Edward’s conduct. Since Edward has no biological connection to Lady D, he wraps Esther, his stepsister, around his finger to keep her in thrall. That is the only way he can be guaranteed access to the Denham fortune.
Have you people even watched this? Sanditon is a delight and what’s with the hair comments younger ladies sometimes wore their hair down. The character is only meant to be 18 after all. Just think pride and prejudice where Lydia often had her hair down. You can’t judge a programme without actually watching it yourself!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Only a few readers mention that they have not watched the series. Fully 80% of those who leave their opinions have watched the show. Many of those viewers have also read the Sanditon fragment by Jane Austen. Here’s Jane’s description of Charlotte:
“Their invitation was to Miss Charlotte Heywood, a very pleasing young woman of two and twenty, the eldest of the daughters at home and the one who, under her mother’s directions, had been particularly useful and obliging to them; who had attended them most and knew them best. Charlotte was to go, with excellent health, to bathe and be better if she could; to receive every possible pleasure which Sanditon could be made to supply by the gratitude of those she went with; and to buy new parasols, new gloves and new brooches for her sisters and herself at the library, which Mr. Parker was anxiously wishing to support.”
Charlotte is, therefore, a 22-year-old woman, one whose situation as a potential bride is precarious because her father, while a gentleman farmer, has 14 children. Most of his fortune will be preserved for his eldest son. Charlotte’s dowry would be small. As for her hair, any gentleman’s daughter in that era would not leave the house without covering her hair. I believe that in Davies’ Sanditon, he means for her loose hair to represent her rural background. And that is fine, but it flies against the Heywood’s desire for their daughter. If their intent of Charlotte’s visit to Sanditon was to “make her better,” then this would include following the conventions and dress codes of the day and adhering to them..
My nitpicking does not detract from my enjoyment of this series. Watching Davies Sanditon has given me and many viewers hours of a rollicking good time and many of us do hope for a second season. I’ve been sharpening my tongue-in- cheek skills in anticipation.
Laura, this series misses out a lot from Austen’s original piece.Esther Brereton is related through Lady Denhams birth family the Breretons who left her all the money. She married Mr Hollis who left her his land. And finally she married Lord Denham, who had no money but left her the title of Lady Denham. All her husbands conveniently died leaving Lady Denham rich and wealthy.Edward and Clara Denham have no rights to her wealth. Esther does. No mention of anybody from the Hollis family is made in this series. Maybe it would have made it too complicated.All the best, Tony
Thanks, Tony. Davies and his team did their research, but they juggled so many plots and side plots that there was no time for explanations.
I personally am loving this series…
I’m sick to death of all the political nonsense and the sad, always sad news spewed on TV.
I need to escape and feel good…Sanditon does it for me.
I love Charlotte and Sidney.
I will be angry if the series does not continue and Charlotee and Sidney are not reunited and happily ever after. I need that.
To do otherwise would be a total betrayal of one of my most loved authors, Jane Austen.
The world is evil, critical, egocentric, everyone wants to unsettle everyone else lives, greed, hatred and meanness is everywhere these days, but Jane Austen, along with Sandition is the knight on the white horse.
You’re making an excellent point, which is why this series has been rollicking fun for so many. I think fans are owed at the very least one more 2-hour episode. Let’s see what develops.
I couldn’t wait for the final episode so I read the book. Hope Davies writes a sequel. I must know how these characters evolve! Or not.
I agree – please please renew this series. Austen fans are praying!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE
Everything about the movie, the actors the music everything, ive watched it 3 times now, DON’T LISTEN TO THE CRITICISM that those who get paid to write and judge it , just dont always have a clue, make up your own mind, i loved the ending, i really hope that America picks it up as its the only one that can actually go on into another season and let Jane Austen type of writing live on, no one writes like this anymore and the guy that wrote the ending did a Awesome job as i do believe he wants to go on with this story, just love
Love your comment and thank you for visiting. FYI, I do not get paid for the posts on this blog. My problem with the ending is that, well, most viewers want a resolution. I have access to the streaming videos ahead of airtime. That is all. And I do wonder about the … rest of the story.
I discovered your blog during the Downton Abbey series and looked forward to Monday’s to read your review and other’s comments.
I read Ms. Austen’s “Sanditon” which was a difficult read for me but in the end enjoyed it perhaps slightly less than her earlier works.
This afternoon I watched the last episode of Sanditon and haven’t read your review of it yet but laughed out loud when I read your title “the good, the bad, and what was that ending?” I searched the PBS Masterpiece menu to see if there was yet another episode and when I discovered there wasn’t felt so let down.
Having read all your reviews but the last, and all the comments, I’ve learned I’m not alone in missing the Austen presence in Davies Sanditon.
Enjoyed so many of the tongue-in-cheek reviews/comments. I enjoyed Davies Sanditon as a TV series but, unlike other Austen adaptations for TV/Movies I could not recommend this as family fare.
As for the male nudity – well, religious beliefs aside, it’s time. Call me a cougar. LOL. However, I’d prefer no frontal nudity, please. Got to watch the blood pressure!
Esther and Lord Babbington, so far, are my favorite characters , as is Lady D’s brilliantly executed portrayal by Anne Reid. Interestingly enough I also enjoyed Arthur where towards the end he comes out of himself enough to befriend Ms. Lamb. And his relationship to his sister is so sweet and beautiful – as played out in the carriage ride – where we see how strong their sibling bond is and they agree that marriage is not for them – like Jane Austen herself – and that too is good.
Rose Williams portrayed Charlotte with a deep respect for this Austen character; her story deserves an Austenesque resolution. With the current ending between her and Sydney I can’t help but recall Sense & Sensibility when Willoughby chose to marry the wealthy heiress – so he chose money over love (or in those days it would have been practicality over love because as a member of the gentry heaven forbid he should work and earn a living). That left Marianne, his true love brokenhearted, but as Austen would have it (Yeah! Jane.) there was a happy ending in store for her and we see her character grow and embrace love again. For Charlotte’s story to have a happy ending we definitely need at least one 2-hour special, whether her life is to include Sydney at the end or someone even more worthy of her. It’s all in the writer’s hands.
Keep those reviews coming, Vic. I always look forward to them. Jane would have been proud of you!