Inquiring readers: This is a long recap. Eight episodes of a mini-series deserve a thorough discussion of the finale.
Spoiler Alert: We’ve invested many hours in Davies’ Sanditon on PBS Masterpiece and where did it get us? Before we rush to the comment section to share our opinions, let’s analyze the final show. At the end of my, er, analysis, we’ll finish with a poll to measure our collective satisfaction quotient.
Announcement: According to PBS and ITV, there are no plans to film a second season of Sanditon.
Dancing on a cloud
The episode opens with our lovely Miss Charlotte walking on air through the one intersection of the Sanditon set that viewers have seen repeatedly. Thoughts of Sidney’s sweet talk and proposal interruptus swirl in her head.
She knocks on Mrs. Griffith’s door to visit Georgiana and espies Sidney nearby talking to Tom. He sees her as well. They exchange smoldering looks. Charlotte’s heart beats as fast as mine.
The scene segues to Georgiana’s bedroom. For the first time in many episodes, Miss Lambe is dressed in a lovely gown. Her complexion glows. She and Charlotte chatter like close girlfriends are wont to do, giggling and exchanging highly personal information.
Then Charlotte drops a bombshell – “Sidney is a wonderful man. He’s kind. He’s so dreamy. I couldn’t sleep last night just thinking of him.”
Quelle horreur!
Georgiana is beside herself. “You aren’t (gag) in love with him!? Please say you are not.”
“Well, uh, maybe, perhaps. Recall that he trotted out Otis to say goodbye to you. Wasn’t that nice?”
“You cannot trust a word he says!”
End of discussion. The viewer is immediately transported to the same intersection of the Sanditon set that they have seen repeatedly. This time a stagecoach takes center stage to deliver passengers and the mail. James Stringer receives a letter stating that he has received an offer of an apprenticeship in London. It’s everything he’s ever dreamed of. Now all he has to do is tell his Da.
Something jolly
The camera pans to Sanditon House. My head spins from the many scene changes and from my low blood sugar. I reach for crackers with sharp New Zealand cheddar cheese and a fine red Australian wine and watch Lady D and Esther playing cards. Esther’s bored and pays scant attention to the game, which prompts Lady D to complain,
“You are playing like a nincompoop. What is the matter with you?”
Esther is honest. She couldn’t care less about cards.
“Don’t give yourself airs,” says Lady D, “You haven’t got my money yet! Go over and play the piano. Play me something jolly.”
Esther resists, saying she can’t play or sing.
At that moment, Lord Babbington is announced and he enters smiling and smug, and asks Esther to accompany him for a ride.
Esther: “No”
Lord Babb: “Yes”
Lady D: “Go!”
In the next scene we see Esther and Lord Babb sitting side by side in a curricle (a dandy’s vehicle, much like today’s ultra sleek sports car for the uber rich). The horses gallop along a beautiful stretch of beach. Esther feigns boredom, but Lord Babb urges the horses on. She basically calls him a wuss and says:
“You are the world’s worst carriage driver.”
“Do you want to take over the reins?”
“Why not?” As she drives the horses even faster we gain insight into their future relationship. Esther is the alpha of the two—a bitch in a bonnet. (Thanks, Robert Rodi for the title, which I borrowed from your book.)
The horses increase their speed, their manes and tails flying in the wind. Esther laughs joyously and for the first time viewers watch her blossom into a fun-loving young woman whose worries disappear with a man who loves her more than she loves him.
First kiss
Tom Parker is happy. The WHOLE WORLD wants to come to Sanditon (a slight exaggeration) just in time for the Midsummer’s Ball.
Sidney visits Tom in the drawing room and catches Charlotte going out to adjust the final finishes to her ball gown. Sidney expresses interest in joining her in her perambulations. She says, coyly, “Sure why not?” And off they go—in the exact opposite direction of her destination. There is no urgency to her dressmaking, she says. Hah!
The couple meanders along the Downs, lost in tender emotions and lust. Then they kiss.
Heartstrings tug. Violins violin. The music climaxes in volume. We viewers KNOW this maiden has won the final rose from her very eligible bachelor and that all is right in Austenland.
*Sigh.*
At the Midsummer’s ball
I give the third ball in this series a rating of 2. (#1 goes to the London ball, and #3 to the assembly ball at the beginning of the series.) The midsummer decorations are more than adequate and the beau monde & villagers look smashing—kudos to the costume and prop departments.
Our main protagonists and characters are assembled, beautifully dressed and ready to party, except for Georgiana, who confronts Sidney. “What are you up to with Charlotte?
Arthur interrupts to ask Miss Lambe to dance. Sidney quickly answers, “She’d be delighted.”
Off they go.
Then Sidney is way laid by Tom. James Stringer takes this moment to ask Charlotte for a dance. Across the ball room, Charlotte and Sidney exchange glances of frustration, but she can’t refuse Stringer, for she was not engaged to dance with another gentleman. Regency manners require her to accept this invitation or bow out from dancing for the rest of the evening. Unfortunately, a dance in formation can take up a considerable amount of time and Sidney will have to bide his time before he can talk to his sweet Charlotte.
As James and Charlotte dance, he tells her he’s found an excellent situation in London as an apprentice. She’s so delighted with the news—so pleased for him—so gushing—that he must be disappointed with that overenthusiastic reaction.
Lord Babb talks to Sidney as they eye the dancers. He leaves his friend as soon as he sees Lady D and Esther enter the ball room, fashionably late as great ladies were wont to do.
The dancing continues, with Lord Babb and Esther, Arthur and Georgiana, and the rest of the assembled guests having great fun. After what seems to be an age, Charlotte’s dance with Stringer finally ends.
Balcony scene
We now have a Romeo and Juliet moment in reverse, with Sidney looking down at Charlotte on the ballroom floor. They finally meet and greet. In their scene together he says all the words that a hero would say at the VERY END of a romance, but we are only halfway into the story!
And so, Sidney says, “What a brute I was.”
Charlotte, who, once upon a time was a feisty opinionated woman, says, “I deserved it.”
He then confesses he’s the same man. She ripostes, “But much improved.” Really, Charlotte, really? I reach for more wine and learn to my surprise that one can gulp 3 ounces in one fell swoop.
Then comes the piece de resistance in romance dialogues—“If I’ve changed at all it is in no small part down to you. I’ve never waited to put myself in someone else’s power before.”
Violins violin. Hearts flutter.
I think: *WTDFJH?* (What the Dr. Fuchs just happened?) This denouement is occurring too soon!
I forgot about deux ex machina, a literary device used to derail the reader or viewer, and that is discouraged by professors who teach Writing Romance Novels 101.
Ashes to ashes
For some reason, the elder Stringer, instead of attending the ball, works late by candlelight on a stepladder to complete the Crescent all by his lonesome. James Stringer sought him out before the ball to tell him about his acceptance letter in the apprenticeship program
Dad is not pleased. “It’s for Charlotte and (eyeing his ball attire), you look like one of THEM! Well, off you go, then.”
James, such a sweet and likable character, stomps out, calling his father a miserable old man.
The night is dark and only candles light up the space when Old Stringer touches his chest, then his left arm. Uh, oh. My knowledge of medicine, learned in lifeguard training classes in college, kicks in. This is not looking good. Plus, why is the elder Stringer working for a gentleman when he hasn’t been paid in an age?
The next thing we know, someone yells, “Fire!” Poor Mr. Stringer is toast. Scant resources existed in the early 19th century to fight fires in buildings made largely of wood, and the structure is swiftly destroyed. James Stringer is aghast at the loss of his father, and he recalls his angry last words with profound regret.
Tom, who was riding high a few hours ago with visions of profits dancing in his head, is utterly destroyed financially. He has no idea of how to save his dream for a seaside resort. Worse, how could he face his Mary? His stupidity and naiveté are revealed when Sidney uncovers his true crime—not investing in insurance to save a few quid.
Lady D swoops down upon the hapless brothers and sister, saying she wants her investment back or else they’ll all be put in the poor house. The Parkers’ combined resources cannot cover the disastrous cost of £80,000, or £6,323,574.23 in today’s money. Is there no hope?
Yes! Deus ex machina.
Everything has changed. Sidney rides off in the sunset to London to find funds. In ancient Greek theatre, this DEM device came in the form of an angel or god of sorts lowered onto a stage who would save the protagonists. A chorus echoes in my head with the refrain, “Lady Campion, she’s the champion, richest widow in the land.”
Before Sidney leaves, he visits Charlotte and holds her hand: “When I return, we’ll finally have a chance to finish our conversation. I’ll be back in a week.”
Is that so, kemo sabe? We’ll see.
Old Stringer is buried. We learn his name was Isaac. James is beside himself with grief and regret.
In another scene, Tom grovels in front of Mary and she, milquetoast, er, loving wife, that she is, forgives him.
Charlotte writes a letter to her sister saying that it’s been weeks since Sidney left in an attempt to save Sanditon…and so the plot goes on.
The wedding is celebrated by … the wrong couple, or the right couple, or half the couples who are eligible to marry. Take your pick.
I must confess my happiness when Lord Babb and his Esther marry. It’s the same feeling I had when Lady Edith married her Bertie in Downton Abbey, making her a marchioness.
I love it when Story B makes it to the A list and emerges front and center. In this instance, the viewer is treated to the morning after the wedding night, when we see that Esther is not disappointed. In fact, she anticipates a happy future with her Lord, who unleashed emotions in her and feelings of pleasure that Sir Ed would never have liberated.
Well done you, Lord Babb. I love rich, huggy-bear types who adore their headstrong women.
Good news, bad news: the hero returns to save the day but sacrifices his lovely damsel and his own happiness.
The Parkers’ financial future lies in Sidney’s quick return, and they gnash their teeth as they await news of his success. He hies back to Sanditon several weeks after his departure, causing ulcers and sleepless nights for kith and kin. It turns out, he has saved them all—except for he, himself and Charlotte.
Their meeting stinks, in my humble opinion. At least he’s gutsy enough to tell her in person of his actions.
Saint Sidney takes her hand in his.
“Charlotte, my dear Charlotte…I had hoped that upon my return I’d be able to make you a proposal of marriage, but it cannot be…the fact is I have been obliged to engage myself to Mrs. Eliza Campion.”
*Yeah, whatev,* I think. Charlotte is stunned, however.
“Please believe me there was no other way to resolve Tom’s situation”
Sidney’s words turn Charlotte into a boneless mass of compliance.
“I understand. I wish you every happiness,” she says like an automaton.
Adding salt to the wound of rejection
After Lord Babb’s weddng to Esther, Lady D turns to Charlotte. “Well Miss Heywood? Are you still proclaiming your independence? Or is it that none of our young men have taken your fancy?” She turns to Sidney: “What do you say, Mr. Parker?”
Lady D is called away, before he can formulate an answer.
Charlotte and Sidney soldier on, exchanging polite conversation. “How are your wedding preparations?” she asks, her face immobile, as if injected by botox
“Elaborate.”
Lady Campion, all noxious graciousness, insinuates herself into the conversation.
“Perhaps we should plan a simple country wedding. Although I don’t think it would be our sort of thing.”
At this point I’ve eaten all my crackers and cheese, texted my Janeite friends with my observances, and poured another glass of an outstanding 94-point Fox in the Hen House wine. I take care not to throw that precious liquid at the screen whenever Lady C smirks.
Charlotte folds in on herself like a wet noodle
Charlotte visits James Stringer. Feeling the weight of guilt for his last angry words to his father, he now lives in his Da’s cottage.
“I gather Mr. Sidney Parker is engaged,” he says.
“Yes, I wish for his happiness.”
“She’s not half the woman you are…if he doesn’t see that he doesn’t deserve you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Stringer.” Charlotte obviously has no desire to flirt with James or embark on a relationship with him. More fool she.
We then see her saying goodbye to the Palmer family and leaving Sanditon in a lovely carriage pulled by four magnificent horses. Once again, the scenery of the Downs is sublime.
The camera pans to Sidney chasing after Charlotte on his powerful steed.
“Whoa, whoa,” says the coachman, prompting Charlotte to peer out the window.
The viewers instantly know why Sidney needs to see her when he says, “Tell me you don’t think badly of me.
Charlotte says without inflection, “I don’t think badly of you.”
He then says, “I don’t love her, you know… I’m just fulfilling my side of the bargain.”
This is the UNFAIREST cut of them all. “Sir,” I shout at the screen, “You are no gentleman!”
Charlotte meekly steps inside the carriage and Sidney watches until it disappears over the horizon
I splutter. THAT’S IT?! What did I just invest my time in?
Davies and his team have an obligation to viewers to end this mini-series without a cliff hanger. He was hoping for but was not assured a second season. His attitude towards us is disrespectful.
My plea to the powers that be is to think of your audience and order up at least one more episode to tie up loose ends and provide Charlotte with the logical ending she deserves.
Now, gentle reader, it’s your turn to vent, either in the comment section or in this poll.
Thank you for visiting this blog. It’s been a pleasure reading your thoughts, pro, con, or indifferent.
Viewer satisfaction poll of Sanditon
Jane Austen's World 
In Jane’s stories all the heroines get a good ending. Why not poor Charlotte? Can’t Lady Susan give them some money or better yet have the Prince Regent give it? Anyway, I am disappointed that Charlotte didn’t get her man. Who could ever be so handsome and sexy!
Charlotte/Sidney/James Springer dance to the same music as Marianne Dashwood/Willoughby/Col. Brandon. Willoughby is said to be “”a man resembling ‘the hero of a favourite story'”, just as Sidney is handsome and sexy. Charlotte has both sense and sensibility, though she lacks an older sister. I expect the second season (if there is one) will spotlight Young Springer as the worthy love she deserves, a man who seeks success through work, study, and architectural vision rather than financial flimflam like Sidney Parker’s brother.
Not sure what fate Sidney deserves. He is not, as far as we know, a seducer. He drops Charlotte, whom he clearly loves as dearly as Willoughby loves Marianne, not to maintain an extravagant lifestyle for himself but to keep his family from bankruptcy (brought on by their reckless pursuit of great success). His marriage to Lady C, if it occurs, will be unhappy and he will regret it and let Charlotte know. So Sidney will continue as the cynical man thwarted in love.
It’s wrenching to see a story end in the middle. I do hope they come back for a second season.
Despicable ending – did I really suffer 8 episodes so he could dump her for that pretentious twit of a widow? If Jane could have seen this pathetic ending she would have hired a hit man to take out Andrew Davies. Please tell us there will be another season to somehow redeem this nonsense, Vic. Meanwhile – thanks for the summaries and time to dissect this series.
I couldn’t have said it better.
Absolutely spot on.
Austen is rolling over in her grave. We all see the right way…and even Lady Georgiana…why was she even in the plot if not to have her give money on the promise that she can marry her true love, too? Lady Susan is the glue…why was she even in the story if not to come to Charlotte’s rescue??? Demand that final episode everyone.
“Austen is rolling over in her grave” – exactly what I told my mom while watching this episode.
You made me laugh out loud with your “Jane…would have hired a hit man to take out Andrew Davies.” LOL
Despicable ending!! I suffered through 8 episodes so I could watch Sidney throw Charlotte over for that pretentious twit of a widow? Really!!?? The only way to redeem this is if we get a second season and then Davies might come up with some stupid twist the second time around. Good thing Jane isn’t alive to see this or she’d hire a hit man to take Davies out! The only redeeming part was Lord Babbington and Esther getting together. Still…
Vic, thanks for all the summaries and dissections. You and the wine deserve an award for suffering through it and then doing such a great job evaluating – and of course, not giving away the ending.
Sorry about the duplication – my computer is acting up. ;-)
Sorry for the duplication…my computer is acting up…
Technology! Can’t live with it. Can’t live without it. No problem, Lynne.
I didn’t have the benefit of wine and cheese but my reaction to the final scene was identical to yours. “That’s it? I watched 8 hours for this ending? Sanditon is STILL unfinished!” Then I wondered how the same person who created the quintessential Pride & Prejudice could have created an Austen adaptation where only the least likeable character got a happy ending and all other story lines were left unresolved. The viewers were cheated.
Agree on all points
This! Exactly. How is this the same writer??
Love your analysis – that wine must have been good. I did warn you a few weeks ago that the last episode had a Big Surprise.
Just a couple of comments for the moment. The ball – as far as I recall, it really was a ball and not one of the monthly Assembly Hall things that were common in many towns, and so I was very taken aback when Stringer appeared. There is no way a trademan, however talented, would have been invited to a ball in that company. Like you, I found the death of Stringer Senior contrived, but it did not endear the young man to me. I also was pleased that Esther seems to have found some sort of happiness.
The final crunch, sacrificing personal happiness for the sake of his brother, was a bit far-fetched, but I thought it showed him to be a better person than many of your readers seem to think, but that is why I think I commented earlier that I am now awaiting “Further Adventures of Charlotte”, because as in all good soapies, we were left expecting a great deal more – there is no ending; it just stops, and you – well, at least I – we were left wondering what will happen next.
Thank you so much for writing this. I felt so betrayed by this final episode and turned right to you for commiseration. Isn’t the first rule of Austen that after all the suffering comes a happy ending? How could Sidney have done this? How could Tom have allowed it given his own feelings about love? Augh.
Thanks for reading my posts. I agree. I’m willing to swallow a lot of bitter stuff provided I’m rewarded at the end.
Yuck-patooey. This isn’t Jane Austen, although some of the characters were likeable. Shame on Davies and to heck with the disappointing ending. Also bad work for leaving some characters’ storylines hanging (Miss Lambe, for instance; what happens to her?). I actually loved Esther’s character and glad she and her Lord got a happy ending. Couldn’t Young Stringer (hunky, intelligent, loyal, hardworking and consistent) and Charlotte have found some happiness together? I never was on Team Sidney, who displayed his jerk side way too often. Why have Charlotte run home to a dull family life when there’s a much more interesting man in Sanditon to spend time with? Just one more episode to wrap up some unsatisfying ends would be most welcome.
What about borrowing all or part of the money from Georgianna? Isn’t she rolling in it? She’d do it for Charlotte if not for Sidney.
Ugh, when it ended I was left staring at the tv searching for the TV guide. Is there a next part, my addled brain asked? This is not an ending, this is not Jane, this is STUPID! I’m royally Pi—-d!
When will we know if there will be a second season? Andrew Davies, you did us wrong!
We’ll know soon enough. My sense is that cost and ratings will both play a huge part in the decision. One thing is for sure, fan fiction will give Charlotte the ending she deserves or that makes Austen sense.
I felt like the endings of the story line were hurriedly done. They were trying to tie everything up at the last minute. Like they were written as they went along! Like throwing into the story Lady Susan! And making her nice!
And Sidney ( after being rude and aggressive) all of a sudden is overly polite when he tells Charlotte that he is best when he is around her.
But no solution is found for Miss Lambe!
Do you think they wanted the ending to be like the movie about Jane Austen where she ran away with the man she loved, only to find out he had to marry for money because of taking care of his family?
Yes, it has that feel, doesn’t it? In Austen’s Sanditon fragment is wasn’t clear that Charlotte was supposed to be the heroine. Her role was more as an observer. She also was, at 22, facing spinsterhood. For me, the perfect ending for her would have been to remain single and independent by choice. The writers gave her a talent in organizing events. Wouldn’t it be splendid if, through her efforts with Tom Parker, Sanditon became a successful seaside resort?
I like this take on it. :-) I just don’t like having to guess that’s where this was leading. I guess we’re lucky S&C didn’t run away like Lydia and Wickham to ruin the family even more.
It was the times…marrying for money to better the family’s situation or hold onto the land (Downton Abbey style).
I found it odd that with all the Parkers’ money troubles no one thought, even for a minute, of Miss Lambe’s £100,000, considering that she was under Sidney’s control. Frightfully decent of them.
Davies and his writing team were writing against deadline, or so the story goes in the The World of Sanditon companion book. It is very clear that he hoped for a second season. Still, there are ways to provide a satisfying ending and still continue the story.
Thank you so much for your sterling Sanditon reviews – And especially for this final one!
I’ve sworn, after each episode, of this Davies debacle that I wouldn’t watch another one, but like the proverbial train wreck, I DVR’d it and next day – tuned right in: However, this time I read your review first, got a great laugh and finally enjoyed an episode without actually having to watch it! I cancelled the DVR and now I can look forward to a Monday night for the first time in 7 weeks.
Please, no second season, no final episode – One season was painful enough… Thanks again!
xoxo Judy Doebke
Sent from my iPhone
>
I aim to please :)
After reading through the comments, I realize that, while there are plenty of plot strands which could be developed for a second season, none of them draws my interest as much as the Sidney/Charlotte one and that one has, failing another DEM, is DOA. Therefore, no Season and, certainly, no final show. Once Sidney/Charlotte was credibly ended, so was my interest.
Vic, a few descriptive words and statements and phrases such as: brash, exuberant, rough round the edges, a good laugh, I fell about in stitches at some of the dialogue, I enjoyed it. And remember, in the first episode, Charlotte actually said, ” I don’t want to marry.” Why should she? Ha! Ha!
Tony, you encouraged me to watch the series for what it is. When I did, I began to enjoy it, but I do not like loose ends that we were left with. Downton Abbey did such a great job of providing a completed story each season. Viewers hungered to learn more about the characters, but had the series ended by season 4, for example, there would have been few loose ends. Each season was packaged in a tidy bow.
Once I let myself go in terms of recapping the Sanditon episodes, I had fun making sport with the more improbable situations. I’m assuming you are rooting for a season 2?
No. I don’t think there should be another season.Just leave it ,”ragged,” and unfinished. Peoples ire has been stoked up and strong feelings abound. I just love all the love, loathing, apoplexic outbursts and all that high blood pressure and, so on and so forth, expressed about this series. What can a second series do? Tidy up all those loose ends? All that passion released in response would only be quieted. Not nearly so much fun I think. So there you are,Vic.It appeals to my subversive nature.
generalgtony
“subversive” meaning a man (kindly meant)
I enjoy reading your comments through the years on this blog. Thank you for your “subversive” nature.
I hated the ending! I don’t understand why Lady Susan couldn’t come to their aid after being such a dear friend to Charlotte and being so understandably critical of Lady Campion’s relationship with Sidney. We need closure! Charlotte needs a typical Austen ending!
Agreed.
Applause!
I watched Sanditon some time ago and did not think at the time that I would want to see a second season, but now I do, just to give Vic a fresh whetstone for her wit. I do think they should ditch drippy Charlotte and Sidney and give us the adventures of Lord and Lady B, possibly in company with Miss Lambe and Mr Arthur Parker, with wicked Sir Edward lurking in the shadows. They could all go off to the Continent in time for Waterloo – I’m sure Mr Davies would have much more fun ripping off Thackeray than Austen.
Gosh, gee, golly, Polly, thank you for the compliment.
So glad to read this this morning! I too watched last night and thought, “That’s it?! Are you kidding me!?” I did not know that a 2nd season might be in the works, so I thought that really was the end. Jane would not have written it that way! It was a little too modern for a Jane novel, but I can deal with that, but for a long mini series I don’t feel they developed relationships very well. A little choppy for me. Still liked it, but feel it needs a good solid ending at the least. Miss Lamb? What happens to her? And poor Charlotte. Did anyone else not really see the Sidney/Charlotte connection? They just didn’t match up for me. At any rate, if you’re going to touch our beloved Jane Austen’s work, PLEASE give it the respect it deserves and end it like Jane would. All wrapped up, tidy, and happy!
Good points all. Sadly, there will be no second season. My guess is that a number of fan fiction sequels will be written to give Charlotte the ending she deserves.
Terrible! This is NOT Jane Austen! Hated the ending but also don’t want to plod through another season of this trash!
I can take one episode, like a special, but not another season.
So disappointing—only one minor storyline wrapped up (Esther’s). And personally, I was rooting for Charlotte to chose James Stringer, and thought after Sulky Sid threw her over that she would. She was the only truly ‘Jane Austen’ character in the whole series. Either the writers were setting the whole thing up for a second season, or they have no idea how to write a satisfying romance.
This ending makes me rethink wanting to watch another Davies production. I had hopes for this one, but then the news came out of Great Britain last fall and my hopes were dashed.
Well said, and funny too. As for my feelings about the final episode: Boooo, Andrew Davies!! What a cheat! Why, why would you do that to your audience? If you thought that ‘ending’ would make viewers happy, you deserve a smack in the head from Jane Austen. Colour me outraged!
Jane Austen smacking Davies about the head–now that would be worth watching!
Yes what Sherry said! Surely you jest..that is not a ending.Jane would be horrified.
i am praying there will be either a second set to this series or, at least a final tying up of so many loose strings. i find the end of episode 8 to be unfulfilling, to say the least, maddening and a tease, at best.
Maddening and a tease, indeed.
A few thoughts and wishes…
I wish “Sanditon” had been marketed to us as a mini soap opera version of a Jane Austen classic romance – rather than a continuation of an unfinished novel. That would have mentally prepared me for the drama and lack of era-appropriate dialogue and situations.
Preparing a “series 1” with only the *hopes* of there being money available to pay for a “season 2” is much like the Parkers building a seaside town without any insurance or visitors. You get what you pay for, or don’t pay for. Ruins. :-P
I wish this story had featured Esther and Lord Babbington as the main hero/heroine instead. Their happy ending would have made us feel complete! In that case, secondary characters Sidney and Charlotte – similar to the S&S Willoughby/Marianne romance — would have seemed to come to a fitting end. We could emotionally chalk it up as a summer romance.
Sidney Parker essentially sold himself out to a past love?!?! Why was this disaster HIS full burden to bear? What did TOM do to rectify the situation he put himself in? I *loved* that Arthur stepped up to offer his inheritance. But why did the siblings not council Sidney – who they all knew now loved Charlotte, “No, don’t go to Lady Campion. You can’t give yourself to someone you don’t love just because we’re the most foolish family on earth.” Are they all really so selfish, unfeeling, and stupid in the end? Even if Sidney had said, “I must do this for us… the ultimate sacrifice,” at least it would have shown that the family was aware and cared about what it would mean for him.
As it turns out, Sidney – Miss Lambe’s guardian – is the “lamb” put to slaughter for his family. We should see him as “noble” for taking such a hit, but instead he just seems obnoxious. I guess first impressions are real. (?)
I agree with Polly above about asking Miss Lambe for the money, but since she resents Sidney, she probably wouldn’t have given it. Worth a shot, though.
I would have liked it if Lady D had *faked* her deathly illness (and that we knew she was doing so). I would’ve liked her being so cunning as to use it as a way learn about her heirs’ suitability for receiving an inheritance. She’s/we’re just lucky that Esther broke her silence at her bedside. If that had not happened… would Lady D have even had a reason to survive to the next episode?
I agree that just 1 more episode – not an entire second series – would suffice to wrap up the loose ends. If there *is* a season 2, I will go into with lowered expectations for what this story should look/feel/sound/be like… and I’d try to actually enjoy it.
SIGH…
All your thoughts about the series make sense. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your analysis!
Vic
Thank YOU for allowing all of us to vent and share in our love of Jane. :-)
I also was really bothered that all the other Parkers let Sidney take all the weight of the financial burden. The show kept trying to depict Tom learning from his mistakes and starting over better, but ultimately I don’t think he changed at all!
I completely agree with you!!
Absolutely agree, particularly about the ridiculousness of the Parkers’ not objecting to Sidney sacrificing himself. I kept waiting for the scene where Mary (who knew how Charlotte & Sidney felt, even if totally oblivious Tom didn’t see it) dressed Tom down, insisting that he find the money elsewhere and, oh yeah, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for his actions for once. Ugh.
There are so many other directions they could’ve gone. Lady Susan certainly could’ve ridden to the rescue, or perhaps Tom could’ve groveled enough to make Lady Denham forgive him. It just felt last-minute & sloppy.
Most galling, to me, was the final scene. If you aren’t sending Sidney after the carriage to announce that he’s shed Mrs. Campion & only wants Charlotte for his bride, DON’T SEND HIM AT ALL!! It just made him look utterly selfish, when we’re supposed to believe he’s a reformed character. Stupid.
My favorite part of this is “Don’t send him at all!!!!!!!!!!!!” :-D I mean, really…
I would have been happier if it ended with episode 7. In fact I wasn’t sure if it was the end
I was thinking the same thing.
Loved the mini series but so disappointed work how it ended! We need another season to finish it off right! PLEASE!!
My idea of a good mini series is the dialogue of clever, well informed characters, who have a great deal of good conversation, true to original writings. That is what I call a good mini series.
Oh wait, I am mistaken, that is not a good mini series, that is the best! Good mini series requires only good costuming and setting.
Funny
Thank you for the patience for going through this. A general critique of the whole series is they don’t trust us for a moment not to be bored. Its dramaturgy reminded me of the new Poldark. I find the Outlander series vastly superior: why? they will sometimes spend (really) 10 minutes on a interlude; they give time to dialogues to develop and we get real thought from the characters.
So, for my part I rewatched Episode 8 for a third time through and the BBC version (which is not clipped) and I loved it. I wouldn’t mind if the series ended there — it’s more probable. The only thing I regret is the sense Tom has he’ll be all right. He does not deserve being all right. And as written it seems Charlotte may after all marry Mr Stringer as Esther has married Babington and maybe Sidney will marry Eliza — all pragmatic. Arthur hints he is homosexual to his sister so will not marry Miss Lambe and his sister will now not be lonely.
We don’t differ as much as it may seem. Vic dislikes a few things I liked very much or doesn’t mention them. But especially I dislike happy endings unless I am made to believe in them. Most of the time Austen qualifies her happy ending by ironies and other astringent comments or a downright melancholy possilibility in the future (Persuasion). Sentimentality such as in the scene between Tom and his wife and then Sidney and Charlotte on the cliff grates on me by its untruthfulness. You might so I do so long for joy that meretricious versions depress me.
In life this ending seems to me just what might happen. I can hope that after all Charlotte marries Mr Stringer and like Esther learns to love her worthy kind consistent tender hard-working husband.
So the series is highly inconsistent and that goes with having different writers.
I wouldn’t mind if it came back but would be very unhappy if Charlotte did not marry Stringer. As I feel that at no point did the writers make me truly believe in Georgiana or Otis, I don’t know what I want for her. Arthur would have been kind and he has money. But he is not attracted. I too am glad for Esther and I’m glad Edward is ejected. I would hope Clara comes back but if it’s again these seething melodramatic absurdities I’d just as soon skip her doing more handjobs.
Ellen
Where did you find the BBC version of Sanditon? I’m hoping the plan for Season 2 is that Georgiana will offer to lend the money for rebuilding Sanditon, provided the insurance is purchased this time, so that her friend Charlotte will have her love, in Sidney.
Ellen, I meant to reply earlier to your excellent comments. We agree on so many points. One reason why I love the comments so much is that I gain so much from others’ perspectives, what people like and what turns them off. One thing we do all have in common, though is our love for Jane Austen’s writing.
I had to suffer through six episodes before I wanted to know how it ended. Very disappointing
Please, please, please, bring back the show! We must have the Charlotte with Sidney eventuality.
Well…I had problems with the Sidney/Charlotte relationship, anyway. The P&P-like turning point that Davies was playing for didn’t quite work for me. Also, Charlotte was 22, and she never seems quite that age in this series. I think a better ending would have been for her to see Sidney as a mere flirtation and opt for James, but if she was destined to end up with Sidney–then DO it.
And if Davies wasn’t going to do it, then at least grant Charlotte the dignity of riding off into the sunset on her own, perhaps visibly gaining new confidence in herself as she goes. Don’t have this strong, individualistic, hard-working woman being manipulated by an older man. The only reason for a man to ride pell-mell after his lover is to reclaim her–not to rub salt into her wounds. Really. Wouldn’t she at that point be as sharp-tongued as she was in her first balcony scene with him?
“Sidney, you may think that a woman is there for you to use for pleasure or money, to play games with or exploit. That is not so. You may think yourself the savior of Sanditon, but you have done so at the price of your character.”
So now Charlotte has lost both Sidney and James. Maybe she will meet a man more worthy than Sidney and less penitent than James in Willingdon.
*Like* :-)
Yes, yes yes! Ending the whole series with Charlotte crying by herself in a carriage was inconsistent with her general character and just depressing when she could have stood up for herself. I’ll imagine your ending instead!
We absolutely enjoyed Sanditon and can hardly wait for the next season. We just don’t want to let go of the delightful, charming and exciting characters we have grown to love. So please bring us a 2nd Season! We cannot leave things as they are. Like Downton Abbey it deserves more from these fine actors and actresses.
Definitely need a season 2…I love this series even though it does feel a bit rushed….I’m already hooked on this show..please, please give us a season 2 with a better outcome ( for Charlotte & Sidney)
No one can write like Jane. But almost anyone can know her intentions when she took up the pen. And would-be adaptors of her stories today should either honor her intentions (clearly shown by her finished works, her letters, and oft-quoted “let other pens dwell on guilt and misery”) or just leave Jane out of it and write their own story. Sanditon might have been “tolerable enough” if they had left any expectation of Jane’s wit out of it. As to Sydney, what a waste of an opportunity to create a kind of Tilney/Darcy hybrid that was gently suggested by his enticingly brief entrance in the novel. But… I’m commenting because I wanted to say thank you for the excellent blog posts along the way; I enjoyed them more than the series! Excellent reading! :)
I completely agree that there should have been more Tilney in Sidney. Such a loss!
This whole series was a waste of time, all due to the terrible ending. Jane Austen characters are supposed to learn from each other and grow, so that by the end of the story the heroine and hero are made better by each other. Sidney didn’t change at all except for becoming attracted to Charlotte and therefore being nicer to her. His character should have and could have become so much better! If he had learned anything he wouldn’t have sacrificed love to save his brother who was not made to be a businessman (Tom also kept reminding me of P.T. Barnum from the greatest showman, terrible). And I don’t think Stringer would have been a good match for Charlotte because they only started to develop his personality and character in the last two episodes. Lord Babb had more personality in his little finger than James, king of the friend zone. Also, Charlotte needs to go back to not being afraid of speaking her mind and maybe spend like any time with some of the ladies she made friends with in Sanditon. Like, really Charlotte, your good friend Georgiana comes home from a traumatic kidnapping and you go visit her like what, twice? These are not characters Jane would have written.
I agree. Although a happy ending is not necessary, there are several loose ends. Miss Lambe, for example. What happens with her? There is the suggestion that Sanditon will rise again, but will it be less posh than originally envisioned? Have any of these characters learned anything? I might not want another complete season, but one or two episodes would be nice.
I agree. Seaside resorts were developed all along the English coast, but Sandiston seems a little close to Brighton to replace that resort. One or two episodes would be nice.
My little “Applause” comment above was meant to go with Polly’s comment, but no matter.
I don’t really understand all the outrage. It was obvious well before the first episode finished that this series had nothing to do with Jane Austen. Once I realised that, I sat back and enjoyed it, though, as someone else said, the comments here were far more entertaining.
This was a normal TV soapie series, and that is why of course it couldn’t end, but only leave you wondering what will happen next time. Whether I would bother to buy the DVD if there were a next time, I’m not sure, but what we saw was fun.
Where could it go from where we left off? – Several people have already made some plausible suggestions above. Please find Mr Stringer someone nice – he is quite unsuitable for Charlotte – so I imagine Sidney’s wife will die a gruesome death leaving him all her vast wealth, and then we can be left in limbo again, wondering whether he and Charlotte will marry in Series 3, which I will definitely not buy.
“It was obvious well before the first episode finished that this series had nothing to do with Jane Austen. Once I realised that, I sat back and enjoyed it, though, as someone else said, the comments here were far more entertaining.”
I agree completely with these statements. I love all the different plot scenarios people are sending in for Season 2.
Davies needs a while other season to wrap up these loose ends. Will Mrs. Campion conveniently kick the bucket or will Charlotte warm up to poor James Stringer? Will Arthur win Miss Lambe’s hand, or did his final speech imply he was gay? Will Tom Parker ever stop being a fool?
I did enjoy the Esther + Lord Babington storyline. It was a nice change for the evil scheming woman to get a genuine redemption.
Yes to all your thoughts!
This is one DVD I will not buy. I have the complete works of Jane Austen as books, and one or two DVD’s of each of the movies or TV versions. I even have a Madame Alexander Pride & Prejudice doll.
But Charlotte was no Lizzie Bennet – she wasn’t even Marianne Dashwood. She was an immature, inexperienced child. She must grow up in order to become an interesting woman. And, Mary Parker, having taken Charlotte under her wing, should have told her not to wear her hair the same as she would have in the farm yard.
Tom is so foolhardy – how much will Sidney’s rich wife give him before she realizes it’s just going to waste. Tom will still make all the wrong moves.
But I WILL read the eleven chapters that Jane Austen wrote.
Good for you, Lizzie. Do read Austen’s original manuscript. It is so rich in possibilities. I agree with much that you wrote.
This Sanditon pirate/director used the Jane Austen platform (or should I say plank) to walk these characters off the edge into Davy Jones locker. A fine kettle of fish!
Yarrrr! Now I want to see Pride and Prejudice and Pirates.
I actually enjoyed the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies better than the ending of this mini-series. Andrew Davies was bragging on the PBS show about his reading so much Austen that it is with ease that he “writes” Austen (my paraphrase). With so many flaws in characters and situations, his ability to mimic Austen is strictly in his swollen ego.
I quite agree with you Dcupton – poor Mr Davies is deluding himself.
I am mostly sad that Georgiana was dropped from the storyline completely and had no ending. More than anything, I want to see some sort of resolution in her relationship with Sidney. Does she just resent being forced to go where he makes her? Or does she know something more sinister about him?
I loved the ending for Lord Babbington and Esther. They were the best characters because their story involved actually learning about themselves and each other and experiencing personal growth. None of the other characters grew in any noticeable way. I would watch a second season if it primarily followed these characters (Lady Babbington navigates the London social scene??)
Personally, I will stick to the Sanditon ending as written by “Another Lady.” It’s not perfectly Austen either, but it is a good deal better than this! And that version of Sidney (rather more Tilney than Darcy) is far more appealing to me :-)
Anyway, thank you for the reviews!! I have loved reading your perspectives.
The ending by another lady is lovely. I plan to follow up this mini-series with this book. Thanks for mentioning it.
I loved loved loved this series❤️but I am mortified with the ending. I can’t believe it!
My first thought was that they definitely set up episode 8 for a second season. I am sure something happens and Sidney becomes free to be with Charlotte. They must give us a respectful Jane Austen ending!! Help! Help!
Write the powers that be. Let’s hope we can watch a fine episode ending.
I agree. This ending left me so frustrated. Sidney and Charlotte should be together. J
Let’s see what develops.
This is not how Jane would have ended things. I’m dissatisfied As you said “this is what I invested my time in?“ Still quite a good series but not within Jane’s vision. I don’t want more I want a redo. Where’s Mr knightly when u need him??
This is not how Jane would have ended things. I’m dissatisfied As you said “this is what I invested my time in?“ Still quite a good series but not within Jane’s vision. I don’t want more I want a redo. Where’s Mr knightly when u need him??
Coming soon to a theatre near you, LOL
I absolutely LOVED Sanditon and it rivals Persuasion as my favorite work of Jane Austen. I do love all her work but it is the depth of her characters here that are vibrant and compelling. I hope I am not completely alone in championing Andrew Davies, he is a skilled and prolific writer and I quite like what he has done with expanding the brilliant first 11 chapters that Ms. Austen put to paper 203 years ago. Her work still shines to this day and it is her characters that began their development in those first 11 chapters that defined what Sanditon is. Mr. Davies has honored her in the Sanditon mini-series. He didn’t go quite as far in some character resolution within the 8 episodes, as I may have liked, especially in regard to silly and irresponsible Tom Parker. In series 2, he would most certainly have a comeuppance and be taken to task for his sheer stupidity and foolhardy regard to ‘other people’s money’. People so far, especially his own family are still fooled and taken with what they are incorrectly perceiving as brilliance, which is yet to be revealed as the impractical musings of a dreamer. Hopefully, at some point, someone will take him to task and appoint a manager to rein him in.
The Ms. Lambe scenario is quite reasonably played out so far, has everyone forgotten that Otis is a rather flamboyant gambler. In that day and age a woman of means lost all her wealth if she was wed to an unscrupulous man. I believe we all saw what Sydney was forced to rescue her from. Her disdain for him is understandable as she is young and does not yet comprehend what she so narrowly escaped and anyone in her situation would resent being so far from home with no-one she can relate to and with the ever present reality of systemic racism and the real threat of slavery. With time and a little more ‘character development’ she would come to understand it better. I like the combination of Georgiana and Otis, there could be a lot more to come there, but of course with her considerable wealth do you want her to let a prolific gambler get his hands on her money without some serious vetting and real communication. Come on. The opportunity is there for a real love story, but not until she grows up a little and he commits to being honorable and seriously understanding his responsibility to protecting her and her money.
There are so many tantalizing threads to pick up on here, so many forks in roads and paths. I, too, am somewhat disappointed in the ending but if is not implausible, on the contrary. Many lives were tragically interfered with because of the rigid class system. Case in point, Miss Jane Austen herself. There were some happy endings but really they were not necessarily the norm. In many cases if you married for love you were quite destined to be poor for all your life.
I would love to see a second series, there is a lot to work with here from a writer’s perspective.
I know, I rambled. I didn’t edit very well either!
Thanks so much.
Maureen
You expressed yourself beautifully and I like your take on this series. I’m not sure many thought that Otis was a good fit for Georgiana, whose actions proved her immaturity. I didn’t like the trajectory of her story line and expected her part in the drama to be more complex and for her to be given a strong story arc that demonstrated growth and stamina.
While I enjoyed the series on a surface level, I could not resist writing tongue in cheek recaps. Davies went overboard in modernizing and sexing up Jane’s wonderful characters. He gave only surface treatment to the serious topic of hypochondria that Austen had set up with three of the five Parker siblings, and eliminated Susan altogether, while introducing characters not mentioned or hinted at by Austen.
Except for the first two episodes, the seaside resort was used primarily as backdrop for Tom’s crazy ideas. I kept waiting for Charlotte and Diana to walk to the circulating library, an important component of fashionable resorts, and a hub of social activities.
Still, I had a rollicking good time and hope to see at least one new episode. I envision Charlotte choosing Austen’s path of remaining independent.
I went into this looking at it as Austen inspired Davies drama with extremely low expectation and I still feel let down by the ending. The series was called Sanditon, not Sydney and Charlotte, so if he wanted to develop a series that has several seasons he should have made it focused on the stories of the inhabitants of the town. This is also not Poldark, where the marriage is the focal point rather than the culmination. If you market a series as Austen then you know in advance how it is supposed end. That’s why it feels like a betrayal to people.
I feel weary even thinking about a second season because you know that Sydney and Charlotte won’t be able to get together until the very end of the season. Instead Davies will have Sydney go off to fight Napoleon to get away from Eliza. Maybe he’ll come home paralyzed for life (which will last exactly one episode) before finding Eliza in bed with another man. Once his engagement to Eliza is broken off he will travel to find Charlotte who will just one hour ago have gotten engaged to someone else. I suppose the wedding will be episode one of season three followed by Sydney getting killed in a carriage accident the next day.
Now, those are plot lines worth taking in.
A second series is demanded
How can you not!
We all know the story is incomplete
Please us all with the follow on, not forgetting the present cast which were all so well chosen
Yes, the actors are well chosen.
No, no…please not another season. We’d have to watch it, and it wouldn’t be any better than this season, which was quite painful. Just let it drift over the horizon, and be done with it. Let’s look ahead to Autumn de Wilde’s “Emma”, rather frowned upon by the Wall Street Journal’s Joe Morgenstern. It will have to go some to beat the BBC’s version with Romola Garai. Which is the best version of P&P?
Agree, let it die! There are 2 good dvd versions of P&P, the BBC miniseries with Elizabeth Garvie and the 1995 BBC version with Jennifer Ehle. I have both and love both!
P&P versions: I love the movie with Matthew Macfayden and Kiera Knightley for it’s romance and how it captures the main characters dancing around each other with their own pride and prejudices until they drop the walls and they discover the real nature of each other. The movie is more an interpretation of Jane Austen’s novel while the PBS’s P&P series is almost a word-by-word rendition of the same (except for the pond scene). BTW: I was always amazed that if the pond scene had been actualized – how quickly could a gentleman have possibly changed from wet clothes to dry in a flash to reach the embarrassed heroine before she escaped with her aunt and uncle. I’m just saying. Maybe that’s why Davies had Sydney emerge from the beach a la natural as he did – a throwback to his P&P production. In both I find excellent casting/acting, authentic to the period, and a true Austen interpretation.
Jane Austen would have never written such an ending. Sidney is the “Willowby” character from Sense and Sensibilities. Charlotte should end up with Stringer. They really botched this one with no real ending.
Yes, Greg Wise as Willoughby in 1995’s Sense and Sensibility
sat on his steed in regret as he watched his Marianne marry Colonel Brandon. She chose wisely. Willoughby was not worthy of her.
For what it’s worth, I was totally #TeamStringer. He’s a talented, hard-working earnest character, but I understand how these novels work. Charlotte was destined for Sidney Parker, so I reconciled myself to the pairing as an inevitability…or so I thought.
The conclusion of the series found Charlotte traveling back home in tears, Sidney Parker engaged to a woman who he didn’t love, and young Stringer giving up his dream of a London architecture apprenticeship to stay in Sanditon. The only storyline that gave me any satisfaction was the marriage of Lord Babbington and Esther.
I was left speechless after the conclusion, with one question running through my head: What did I just watch? While the actors did an amazing job in their roles, I admit to being disappointed by the ending.
I agree. The actors did an amazing job. The writers need to write a satisfactory ending.
So disappointed in the ending. Bleh. 😕 I know Rose Williams rather liked the ending with the man ending up in a marriage of financial convenience, whereas, it was pretty much always women who ended up that way, and I can truly appreciate that little twist of fate here, but I was still bummed out by the ending.
I am in agreeance with the comments here; as they say, shared sorrow is half sorrow. It really was that bad. However, Vic made me laugh so much I forgot how incensed and disappointed I was with that pathetic attempt at a season (series?) finale.
What I didn’t see mentioned was Arthur’s obvious crush on Miss Lambe, and the curious way they kissed each other’s hands as they were pulled apart by his sister at the ball. He clearly would like to marry but feels himself inadequate. I can’t quite see the match, but found the insinuation intriguing.
I voted ‘one more show to wrap it up’, though it was easy enough on the eyes that I’d dare to watch a second season.
I thought that they were strongly hinting that Arthur is homosexual, and that he was also confessing that to his sister when he said ‘know nothing about ladies… not for me… lifelong bachelor.’ Of course, it could be interpreted eithe way. I inferred that they were both childish in spirit and had fun together. I think they could have been very good friends. It would have made a perfect, mutually beneficial marriage of convenience if they had married. They would have enjoyed one another, treated each other kindly while she had her forbidden lover on the side and he did too. The worst part was the rushed changes in the last two episodes. Up until then, had we ever seen Arthur and Georgiana together? We had no idea that they were friends, then he appears in her bedroom while she is in her nightgown??? Oh well, for that matter, everyone else was allowed in there too…
I liked the series but loved the last two episodes. I was as heartbroken as anyone and frankly am still grieving (I had PBS Passport and watched it all a few weeks ago) but I really enjoyed it. I like heartbreaking stories and despite Austen always giving her stories happy endings, this wasn’t an Austen story because she never finished it. That’s how I see it anyway.
If we had a season two to look forward I really do think we’d get something happy out of it but we will never know.
I am more concerned with the Miss Lambe storyline. An unhappy, often angry woman with no real storyline and then she is rendered absolutely useless in the last episodes. She is just there because they paid this actress. It was a real missed opportunity there and the writers did a poor job with her.
Found this blog while looking for information about Austen era music (other than the big names) and saw this blog. None of my friends watch Masterpiece and I have no one to share my grief with. It really does feel that way and I am glad to read that so many other people were so sad about it too. (Although that sounds awful when I reread it but I think you know what I mean.)
I agree that there are too many loose ends in the final episode. With Charlotte’s friendship with Susan I can see the prince regent investing in Sanditon, thus its prosperity, negating the necessity of Sidney sacrificing love. If the marriage did go forward I can see Mrs. Campion dying in childbirth, opening the way for Charlotte and Sidney, but who would want him after their heart being destroyed. Perhaps another visit to Sanditon would awaken tender feelings for Mr. Stringer? There are even more items that could be considered. Really to leave a Jane Austen story in such a shambles is a travesty. I hope a second season is proposed to satisfy. Thank you for listening to my rant.
The first 7 episodes of “Sanditon” made me believe Davies was treating his adaptation in the style and parameters of Austen’s other works.
Reaching episode 8 I was in shock that Davies switched the DNA of what we know to be a Jane Austen novel – with traditional endings based on the character development presented. Either follow the established format (paying tribute to Austen’s world) or go bonkers and add some zombies at the beginning of the series so we understand we’re in an altered dimension.
Sidney was most amiable by the end of episode 7 and in the finale he left me not wanting to invest any more time and energy in him and his relationship with Charlotte. I don’t think Davies’ can get Sidney out of this hole he created.
I did love all the long walks on the beach, cliffs and hills…very Austen. (There are 33 walks in P + P!)
I din’t like the poorly designed set for the town of Sanditon. Looked dinky, cheap, fake, loaded with CGI and not up to the standards of the other exterior locations. I totally agree with the hysterically funny description of Sanditon town in the finale recap above!
As others have noted Miss Lamb’s character development and story line vanished once she returned from London.
One good result that came from Davies’ production…I’ve ordered a copy of Sanditon and will read Austen’s original, albeit incomplete, text.
Thank you for your review, Christina. I find it odd that so much money was spent on costumes and a few lush sets and so little on the town of Sanditon. Where is the circulating library, which Austen mentions in her manuscript? Where is Susan, the worst hypochondriac among she, Diana, and Arthur? Whatever happened to the Heywoods or Lady Susan, or were they meant to make an appearance in Season 2, which will not be funded? Informed minds want to know.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a tertiary character left alone with a lighted candle must inevitably burn down the building.
I have only just happened upon this excellent recap of the series I watched just a couple of weeks ago and found wanting in many respects. As i am firmly Team Stringer, i don’t really mind that Sidney Parker is henceforth unavailable—always excepting an early widowhood, possibly his wife will die in childbed and he will make haste to provide his infant daughter with a kindly stepmother and his feckless elder brother with a fortune to squander. No. I am of the belief that tall, dark and dashing jolly well ought to come with good manners even when he hasn’t fallen in love with the girl. And also a working brain. I mean, he tells Charlotte to keep an eye on Georgiana and doesn’t take the trouble to tell her what exactly she needs to be guarding against—and then blames her for not knowing it! Idiot. He’s presented to us as a sort of Darcy manqué, but the blessed Jane didn’t re-tread her heroes any more than her heroines.
One thing I enjoyed very much indeed about the series was the development of Esther Denham from a straightforwardly unpleasant young woman to one who has been abused and misused into thinking herself worthless, and who is with great difficulty persuaded to accept love, and also the development of Babbington from a frippery young man determined to tame a recalcitrant filly into a tender, kind and sincere lover. Charlotte/Sidney is boring by comparison. (Charlotte is a better character in the book.)
Miss Lambe, though, was a most promising character in the show, and surely Austen had some intentions for her, had she only lived to write more. I’ve just finished reading ‘Sanditon’ by Jane Austen and Another Lady, in which Miss Lambe is a nonentity (disappointing), but this story starts off by bringing Georgiana to the viewer’s notice and then … then… huh?
Overall, I’m somewhat indignant that this series is labelled as having anything to do with Jane Austen. I mean, Darcy can jump into a pond if he wants to, but generally speaking the physicality of the 1995 ‘Pride and Prejudice’ made a great deal of sense; this, from handjobs in the woods to rutting on the drawing room floor, is utterly ludicrous. I think Andrew Davies must have had his mind on an entirely different novel.
Also, I kept wishing Charlotte would put on a hat.
This is fantastic, Pensnest–and couldn’t agree more about Charlotte putting on her bonnet! She does have it on in a few scenes, but not the all-important cliff walk with Sidney; I figured the show runners didn’t want anything in the way of an amazing kiss. (Which, I must confess, I thoroughly enjoyed–while I think the writers did VERY wrong in their “resolution,” Theo James & Rose Williams have very good chemistry.)
Loved the usual Austen story. The characters were spot on, however, I am left wanting for a true Jane Austen ending. Perhaps Charlotte, having gone home is being invited by her new friend, Susan, and taken in as her ward, or Susan hears of the Parker’s demise and helps them, rendering Sidney’s impending marriage gone. So now Sidney has to win Charlotte back. My other question is why give Lord and Lady Babbington’s story more focus than the main characters themselves? I may be wrong about that, but I was surprised on how they ended a good story. Perhaps, it was a nod to Austen’s real life where her status and rank in society did not offer her a good marriage in the end. As well, as saying love does not end the way it should sometimes.
You know it’s strange, I have not yet been able to let Sanditon go. I go over it again and again and again and have awakened many times with new scenarios for the second season. (sigh, hopeful,) I spend way too much time trying to figure things out, much of that having to do my own healing and restructuring my own understanding of events so that I can facilitate a new vision for myself to move forward.
Okay, obviously there are things in Sanditon that are triggering me to figure something out so I can revisit events and then revision.my own life. One of the times that happened before was when I was watching Ivanhoe (stay with me briefly) I was watching if like many others but I was just stuck on Sir Brian de Bois Guilbert. I had taped the series and I think I must have watched the damn show about 200 times because I couldn’t actually believe what was happening to me. I could go on and on but suffice it to say, it was the transformation of the character unfolding that was actually changing me. I will leave it there it’s not about me but it had to do with the character transforming and understanding something about women that he had never known before. It changed him completely. And then it changed me.
While there is not a definite comparison between the two characters , I am seeing a transformative experience for Sydney Parker in Sanditon. I like the combination of Sydney and Charlotte and as an interesting and unexpected love growing for him and for her, it is rather a shock for him because I think it’s something he has never experienced before- let’s face it Mrs. Eliza Campion is simply incapable of making him feel and think like this and drawing out his real self. Anyway, Charlotte and young Stringer would be nice with their similar backgrounds etc, except for the fact that there is Syndey and he is going through something from what Charlotte is teaching him that could make for a dramati c and compelling love story. I am trying to move forward but I’m kind of stuck, I hope Mr. Davies does something to wrap things up cause it’s really bugging me and I don’t feel like it’s my story to tell – but I LOVE these characters and he better fix it. Or someone else will have to do it……
Sanditon has been some kind of a revelation for me, I haven’t figured it all out yet.
Maureen
I love this, Maureen: “I am seeing a transformative experience for Sydney Parker in Sanditon. I like the combination of Sydney and Charlotte and as an interesting and unexpected love growing for him and for her, it is rather a shock for him because I think it’s something he has never experienced before- let’s face it Mrs. Eliza Campion is simply incapable of making him feel and think like this and drawing out his real self.”
If we were able to see Sidney take a step back and truly suffer through this decision — perhaps coming to terms with his life-long self-inflicted agonies and habit of denying himself happiness and/or chasing the wrong things and/or always being the responsible one in the family, etc. — and coming out of it on the other side, the way Esther did (dark to light), I think it would improve his character and my opinion of him. It would make him feel real.
:)
Great in depth review, Vic., and I agree with your take on the final episode. We were left going “huh?” after investing all that time in it. I think we deserve at least one more episode to clear it all up.
We do deserve one more episode. Let’s hope that the powers that be listen to their faithful and erudite fans.
Thank you for that reminder Kevin. I got much too carried away and meant to but neglected to acknowledge Vic. Thank you Vic, I so enjoyed your review which led me to comment in the first place, it was excellent and funny and drew me into your Jane Austens World. A week ago I didn’t know it existed, I am thrilled youre doing it, cant wait to see your take on the new Emma.
Thanks, Maureen. I hope to review Emma as soon as it comes to my region! Vic
Thank you, Vic. While disappointed overall in the show did enjoy your comments!
You are so very welcome. I aspire to perfectioning my tongue in cheek reviews!
You achieved tongue in cheek and also very Jane-like in humor. Good work!
There was a lot wrong with the ending, and not just lack of a happy ending. For me , it started with episode 7, when everything began to feel contrived. All care toward making things accurate to the period was forfeited, and Charlotte, this common-folk visitor girl was allowed in every conversation and situation. Sidney and Tom would not have included have listened to, not included her in their financial discussions, she wouldn’t have been able to visit Stringer’s home (many times!) without a chaperone. She and Sidney would not have been allowed to roam the countryside alone, Tom would not have been allowed to wander town and try and charm the Prince Regent’s special lady in ‘shirtsleeves’ without a jacket on!!! (Gasp!) Stringer would not have been invited to the ball, and even if he were, it was not true to his character that he would go. He despised Tom Parker and the fakey upper class! The worker men would nit have been allowed in ‘the gentleman’s rowing contest’. Sigh…
As to the ending, i wouldnt have minded if she didnt end up with Sidney. I never warmed up to him. No, it was him. He never warmed up. I always preferred Stringer for Charlotte. They could have had a lovely life together. He would have been much more fun! (And so super gorgeous!) My favorite part in the whole series: 1) when ‘the workers’ stormed in to the cricket match, and some idiot gentleman said ‘they look good.’ Yes, they did! Hurray for the REAL men after all the boring buffoons in fancy dress!
Jen, I have often wondered if Jane saw Charlotte’s fate similar to hers–as an independent spinster, courted by men, but with no desire to marry. Her 75-page unfinished manuscript described Charlotte as an observer. Davies and his writers failed on so many levels to pick up on Austen’s clues.
Thank you for your analysis. Vic
Honored Vic
Having been born on Jane’s birthday it could be understood that I have empathy for her fate since at 72 I find myself a spinster, in dependent (and loving it). Marriage and children was never a vision I had for myself. But at the heroine’s age of 22…hmm.
In your comments you write – “independent…courted by men” – which is fully understood by women of the 21st Century. It doesn’t mean that Jane, ergo Charlotte, did not love or wasn’t loved by men, but as in the movie “Becoming Jane” or “Miss Austen Regrets,” for one reason or another, none of her relationships with men led to marriage. And she enjoyed her independence. Does anyone recall a scene from “Becoming Jane” where she turns to her sister, Cassandra, and mentions that she will give all her heroines a happy ending in her honor (paraphrase). If Jane Austen had moments of regret they only motivated her to give her heroines the ending they deserved and we, her devoted readers continue to applaud!
I am thinking of Persuasion now, and though this is a reverse situation, where the man chooses to marry for money (for whatever reason) instead of for the love of his life …there arises an opportunity for a “do over.” That is a plausible ending if there is another episode for Sanditon. The current ending is too reminiscent of Marianne’s situation with Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility. But I contradict myself when I add that Sidney is sadly unique as portrayed by Davies. He is a weak attempt at Jane’s magnificent Mr. Darcy and lacks the character of Wentworth. Even Willoughby, selfish rake that he is, gives us charm and wit before his fall from the proverbial pedestal.
I so enjoy this platform, Vic, that you offer to the sisterhood and brotherhood of Janites to express themselves.
Thank you!
Thank you for your comment! And for your lovely salutation. This is the first time I’ve been labeled as ‘honored.’ Usually people give me less agreeable monickers, many of which cannot be printed in a family friendly blog.
I agree that the Sidney character as written by the Davies team comes nowhere near Austen’s heroes, because, as you say, he is written with a lack of wit. He is a Harlequin Romance hero – a pulp fiction depiction, and a mere shadow, of Jane’s best male portrayals. He’s handsome enough, and goodness knows Theo James, the actor, tried his best, but he’s no Mr. Darcy.
Is Theo James, the actor, though he “tried his best, but he’s no Mr. Darcy” that way because of his acting “chops” or because of the script (Davies)?
Songbird: I thought James’s acting was fine. It wasn’t his fault that the plot went nowhere and the characters were untrue to Austen.
I agree. Thanks for your response.