Grantchester - Season 2 Premiere on March 27th

I didn't think I could tolerate Selfridge either. But I am enjoying the love story between Mr Grove and Josie. Their acting is superb. My husband and I watched The Lady in the Van. I was likewise worried it would be too depressing. And the realism of her griminess could be intense. But, the story was also about Alan Bennett, and how fiction is about oneself, and he gave the movie a happy ending. I guess I'm hoping they will find some kind of redemption in Selfridge...

Grantchester--intense!! I, too was happy when Sydney raged at Amanda. 

But with also watching Call the Midwife, I am pretty wrung out on a Sunday evening. 

I don't know... Have not looked Victor up, either. I just know the facts of Selfridge's life, and they can't mess with that too much. The outline has to stay the same, but I'm sure the whole staff of the store was made up for the show. But Victor and the club might have existed, because Harry loved the nightlife, baby.

I wish Sidney had told Amanda to go away calmly and nicely, but the fact that he lashed out at her that way only serves to confirm their insuperable bond, IMO. *sigh*

I didn't get to see "Midwife" because apparently every show we both want to see is on Sunday nights, and the midwives got bumped by our DVR! I am working on shifting some recording options around to make room. Technology is wonderful, in theory.

BTW, from reading around the internet, I am pretty sure Victor is made up.

A website called Footprints of London confirms that there are hardly any facts in Mr Selfridge, apart from the bare bones. A good amount of the information about his family is true, including the crazy business about the daughter who marries a womanizing Russian who has a mother who claims to be a princess but lives by sponging off rich friends, but almost nothing else! No evidence of a real Victor, I'm sad to say.

I'm also extremely sad to report that the real Harry seemed quite indifferent to his own children and did nothing to promote the careers of women in the company. So much for those warm fuzzy thoughts.

I loved the ending of Season 2.

PetuniaBird said:

I loved the ending of Season 2.

Me too - so satisfying. I hated seeing Sidney hit bottom and what it did to his relationship with Geordie, but worth it when they got back together and realized they were each doing what they thought was right. And of course the very end was delicious.

I have not yet watched the finale of season two.  Hoping that Amanda moves to China or Tahiti.  

Finally watched the end of season 2.  It was very good except for Amanda drama.  Oh well, it is Sidney's choice after all. 

I'm curious to see what they are up to there. In the books, he marries the war widow from Germany, Hildegard. But she wasn't around for long in the first season of the show. So I'm puzzled now about Sidney's love life. I really hope he doesn't get sucked into a scandalous love affair with the married, pregnant Amanda.

I guess I'm the only one who wants him to end up with Amanda.  

I liked Season 1 Amanda (spunky, honest, fun), but I felt that this season she was insufferable. How long can anyone stare out the window? I understand she was in a bad marriage but she didn't even seem to try to make a go of it. 

If they were going to put them together she should have called off the wedding. I don't know how she is going to extricate herself from the situation with her husband. And there is a baby! I'll be annoyed if she has a miscarriage. 

Yes she just sits there vegetating.  I wondered why she didn't have friends, or try to make friends, or do volunteer work or take an interest in a charity or join a club.  Unless I am missing something, she had made no effort to bring some purpose to her life. And now with a baby on the way, she runs off to you-know-who, which makes her seem unhinged.  But Sidney is a troubled man and maybe they make a great pair.  What do I know.  

PeggyC points out an interesting part in the book regarding Sidney's marriage.  I guess we will find out more next season what the show intends to do.

He has had a rocky relationship with the archdeacon who is now being ousted, but I have to believe the church is keeping a very close eye on Sidney now, after all that has happened. And an affair with a married, pregnant woman can't do him any good professionally. Maybe he goes out on his own and becomes a private eye?   

I wonder if there is a lot in the books about Amanda and Guy we aren't seeing in the show. Perhaps it makes more sense in the books. I hope.