ITV's Victoria

I've enjoyed watching this, but I found Jenna Coleman a bit hammy at times (both she and the actor who played Albert seemed to be channelling their 'inner stroppy teenager', complete with bouts of sulking and general moodiness). Jenna's vocal delivery was a bit strange and forced at times - as if she was speaking how she thought a queen should speak, which was OK in scenes when she was dealing with courtiers/subjects, but odd when she was supposed to be having a private conversation with Lord M, Prince Albert or anyone else she was close to. Rufus Sewell acted her off the screen in every scene they were in together - she often seemed a bit OTT, while he managed to often convey something with just a glance or a slight flicker of a smile (or frown).

I found it pretty slow - they could probably have wrapped things up in 6 episodes if they'd cut out some of the repetitive waffle (how many times was it mentioned in the final two eps that Victoria might die in childbirth, and how many times did we hear the words 'poor Charlotte'?) and moved things on at a brisker pace.

I felt a bit sorry for the Duke of Cumberland in tonight's ep - wrongly accused of plotting to murder his niece, and then not so much as an apology when it turned out that he was innocent, and the would-be assassin was actually a lone nutter. I suspect that in reality, Cumberland was more sinned against than sinning (apparently, he was disliked by politicians and the media, so they were more than happy to spread negative gossip about him, whether true or not). I read an interesting book on him, and he was accused of all sorts during his life, including having an affair with his sister which resulted in the birth of an illegitimate child, murdering a footman, murdering his wife...blimey, that would make a heck of a TV drama!

Say what you like about this series but Tom Hughes does have glorious hair.

For me it wasn't just the chemistry between Sewell and Coleman that was missing from the last episodes, it was the whole plot as such that turned tedious. The first episodes were more about politics, Victoria establishing herself as Queen, getting a new parliament together, finding a husband and so on. Once she had got together with Albert, it all went downhill. I liked the bit about the train ride and Albert urging Victoria to be more open to modern developments, but there was too much trivia around the baby (and the risk of Victoria dying), sudden and pointless nonsense like the stalker of the last episode, the "affair" between Ernst and the Duchess and the downstairs subplot between the Italian chef and the dull lady's maid. I hope they'll return to more politics and scenes that deal with Victoria's unique situation as a young queen in a period of great change and less of the romance subplots which we have in dozens of other shows.

I haven't watched this series yet I found myself dreaming about it last night. Goodness only knows why. Though I think my subconscious mind was getting it mixed up with Doctor Who as in my dream Matt Smith was playing Prince Albert!

1 week to go!

Oh I do love this.

The chemistry between Victoria and Albert is a joy to watch.

Oh. I've actually stopped watching until the actor playing Palmerston puts his King Rat suit back on and trundles off to provincial panto....actually...sorry....that's an insult to provincial panto. And why has someone dropped a ferret onto Tom H's head?🐿 It appears to be causing an acute case of whisperitis.

However, now you've mentioned Skerotelli, I may watch tonight's episode and ff to their bits as I also love those two. 🙂

Thanks for the warning. I watched until about half way through last week's ep before I hurled something at the telly and deleted my series link, so I know their storyline more or less. They are fantastic actors. I'd like to see them do something in theatre.  Everyone else (now Ernest and Melbourne are no longer) not so much. Definitely don't share the Jenna love.

Oh the footman! Yet another annoyance. Is he still giving dodgy looks to the side every 3 seconds to insinuate he's up to no good? Yes! We get it!

I actually liked the sister. Good actress. I saw her in that thing at the National where she played the injured army person.

Now, here's an idea. Seeing as they don't particularly stick to historical accuracy, maybe they could kill Palmerston off?😉 Please? Someone?