TV Review: "Victoria" Season 2

When “Victoria” debuted on PBS Masterpiece in 2017, I wondered in my review if the historical drama was worthy of timeslot “Downton Abbey” once occupied. The first season had its strengths and weaknesses, but showed considerable promise.

I am pleased to report that the second season of “Victoria” is stronger than the first. The characters are fleshed out, allowed room to breathe, and the “historic tentpoles” seem less forced — even though the season includes ample political and social intrigue of the period. 

I was able to binge watch all episodes of “Victoria” Season 2 with our PBS Passport subscription — which allows PBS donors the chance to view all episodes before they air on local PBS affiliates. 

Jenna Coleman (best known for playing Clara Oswald on “Doctor Who”) has settled nicely into the role of youthful queen, bringing spunk and pluck to her portrayal, while turning in some surprisingly sophisticated performances during the season. 

Her husband Albert (Tom Hughes) continues to forge his own identity beyond that of serving his queen. Despite some predictable instances of conflict between prince and queen, the writers have developed the pair into an amiable team. 

There are moments this season where the two are able to set aside the noose of “pomp and circumstance” and pretend — at least briefly — that they are a common couple living a simple life. Those subplots rank among the best moments in “Victoria,” and add another dimension to the royal couple. 

One aspect I enjoyed in season 1 was the focus on the “downstairs staff.” While the relationships and plot lines aren’t as involved as those in “Downton Abbey,” I enjoyed following Skerrett, Brodie, Penge, and Francatelli. In particular, the relationship with Mrs. Skerrett and Mr. Francatelli starts to blossom this season. 

There are also new characters introduced to the “Victoria” universe. Diana Rigg comes aboard as the Duchess of Buccleuch — a crotchety old spitfire who provides moments of levity (similar in feel to Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess in “Downton Abbey”).  

In addition, younger characters like the precocious Wilhelmina Coke (Bebe Cave), and fast friends Drummond (Leo Suter) and Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) provide added depth and texture to the story arcs this season. 

The storyline involving the “star-crossed” duo of Prince Ernest (David Oakes) and the Duchess of Sutherland (Margaret Clunie) continues to be the most “Jane Austen-esque” arc of unrequited love in the series. This season, things take a frustrating turn for the pair.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention “Victoria’s” gorgeous soundtrack — which frosts each episode like a sweet buttercream. The score is by Martin Phipps and Ruth Barrett (with soaring vocals by Mediaeval Baebes), and it is incredibly majestic. 

Bridget and I recently ordered the “Victoria” soundtrack from Amazon. Here is a link to “The Suite” from the original soundtrack:

“Victoria” settles into a nice groove during its second season, fleshing out our characters and giving more attention to the interpersonal relationships. My hope is that the writers won’t feel a slavish duty to follow history to the letter, and will continue explore this fine cast in a meaningful manner. 

If you haven’t yet viewed “Victoria,” you should consider checking it out. The first season is available on the PBS app (for donors via PBS Passport) and is also offered on Amazon Prime Video. 

The lavish production is worth your time. “Victoria” illustrates once again why PBS’s co-productions with Britain’s ITV currently rank among the most compelling programming on television.

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"Victoria": Is This Brit Import Worthy of "Downton Abbey's" Timeslot?

I had been looking forward to this show the past few months...

PBS's "Masterpiece" label has debuted its latest co-production with British broadcaster ITV ("Downton Abbey," "Mr. Selfridge") -- the period costume drama "Victoria."

"Victoria" focuses on the rise of the 19th century British queen, and the swirling political and familial drama surrounding the young monarch's life.

As is often the case with dramas on "Masterpiece," they appear on PBS a few months after being telecast by their British television counterparts (notable exception being "Sherlock" in recent years, which has aired concurrently). Those episodes then appear following their Sunday broadcasts on the PBS Masterpiece website and PBS app (for mobile and set-top devices).

PBS did something interesting time out and put the entire first season of "Victoria" up to stream after its debut on Jan. 15. The additional episodes are locked and only available to PBS Passport members (read my previous post on Passport) until a particular episode has aired on "Masterpiece." 

A nice perk for subscribers, and it gave me the ability to binge watch the entire first season for this review.

"Victoria" comes to the states on the heels of Netflix's lavish "The Crown" (which recently won the Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Series (read my review here).

Both shows feature plots about the rigid inner-workings of monarchical life, and both feature lovely costumes and set design -- making the largely "interior" shows feel epic in scope.

Both shows are different in terms of timeframe ("Victoria" is set in the 1800s, "The Crown" is set in the 1950s), and the look, feel and societal norms are vastly different.

The diminutive Jenna Coleman (fresh off her tenure on "Doctor Who") plays the titular queen in "Victoria." Her teenage character is at times seems brash, stubborn and petulant, but as the first season wears on those traits start to fade, and her plucky charm comes to the fore.

Victoria, born Alexandrina, ascends to the thrown after her uncle passes away. The naive royal exudes confidence, but still plays will dolls (which she "numbers" instead of names) and her loyal dog Dash.

What follows is a soapy mix of political machinations, family maneuverings, and societal drama in 1830s England.

The show was written and created by Daisy Goodwin.

Those around Victoria question her ability to rule, her mental well-being, and the fact that she is a German descendant. She also has a rather distant relationship with her mother, the Duchess of Kent (Catherine Flemming).

Her biggest ally is Prime Minister Melbourne (Rufus Sewell). The calm and cool "Lord M" (as Victoria dubs him) serves as a mentor, advisor and friend to the queen.

To go much further would be to spoil the experience for those watching "Victoria" for the first time.

Those who have viewed "The Crown" on Netflix (about the rise of Queen Elizabeth II), will notice certain similarities and plot devices in the two series. Some reviewers have suggested "The Crown" of lacks heart. That aspect certainly isn't missing in "Victoria."

"Victoria" spends part of its narrative focusing on the "downstairs staff" (which worked to great effect in "Downton Abbey"), and it adds an additional depth and texture to the affairs at Buckingham Palace -- it also features some of the most touching moments in the first season.

One of the lovely aspects of "Victoria" is its musical score. The music by Martin Phipps and Ruth Barrett (with vocals by Mediaeval Baebes) strikes the perfect chord, and is a beautiful webbing holding the show's theatrics together.

Here is the music from the "opening titles" sequence: 

 

Inevitably, the question will arise, "which is the best of the new queen-centric television properties?"

Both programs show a tremendous amount of promise, and deliver a meal worthy of the seemingly vast appetite of Anglophiles in the U.S.

Both shows feature equally strong performances.

A bit of trivia... actor Alex Jennings plays King Leopold in "Victoria," and he also plays the Duke of Windsor in "The Crown."

"The Crown" might be more relatable to audiences since Elizabeth still rules Britain, and the 1950s setting is more familiar. But "Victoria" might be the more well-rounded drama as its ancillary characters get their own fully-developed plotlines.

Whichever monarch you prefer, you can't go wrong with either of these wonderful series.

"Victoria" fits nicely into PBS's Sunday night "Masterpiece" lineup.

Where to watch?
- Sunday evenings, 10/9 Central, PBS
- Also available on PBS.org, the PBS app, and for purchase from iTunes and Amazon

Check out my previous post: "Sherlock Returns… Plus: What is PBS Passport?"

The Crown: How Is This Latest British Emmy Bait?

The British are coming! The British are coming! 

Let's face it, the British have once again invaded entertainment.

Ever since our fair shores were graced with Harry Potter in the late 90s, our colonial forebears have seen a resurgence in the world of filmed entertainment.

Lady Mary and the brood at "Downton Abbey" became a major hit in the states, our "inner Anglophile" bubbled to the surface, and studios have decided to infuse entertainment with a healthy dose of Britannia...

PBS has increased its profile -- and lowered its average viewer age -- with ample helpings of new shows co-produced with the BBC and ITV.

The two latest "Star Wars" films feature plucky, young, brunette protagonists -- both Brits, and both with smokin' hot accents.

Superman is played by a British guy.

Batman used to be played by a British guy.

And streaming services have long attracted subscribers with cult British faves like "Doctor Who" (a show Bridget and I grew up watching on our PBS affiliate weekday afternoons).

It's a wonder we haven't traded in "My Country 'Tis of Thee" for "God Save the Queen"...

Netflix is certainly paying honor to the queen with its ambitious new series "The Crown" which debuted this month on the streaming giant (a co-production with Sony Pictures).

This stands as Netflix's most ambitious drama to date. The budget for the 10-episode first season is a reported ~$150 million, and you can see every penny dripping in muted majesty on screen.

The first season is centered in the 1950s, and focuses on the rise of Queen Elizabeth II, after the death of her father, King George IV.

Claire Foy plays Elizabeth, and does a wonderful job navigating the treacherous world of a staid monarchy struggling to stay relevant in a changing world. Foy provides a pitch-perfect performance as a young monarch struggling to realize her idealist views as they are tamped down by long-held traditions and laws put in place by parliament and the Church of England.

Matt Smith (best known for his gangly portrayal of the titular character on "Doctor Who") plays Elizabeth's husband Lord Philip Mountbatten -- who is seen as both an ardent supporter and perpetual skeptic of the royal way.

The production is lavish and compelling. Each episode (roughly 58-minutes each) is as much it's own mini-movie as it is a chapter in this serialized series.

The sets and scenery are gorgeous, as are the costumes featured.

This featurette illustrates the care and detail that went into the costumes employed in the series: 

There is a melancholy tone to the post-World War II Britain seen in "The Crown." And while that makes this period drama less frothy than an offering like "Downton Abbey," it is an imminently binge-worthy drama with its own driving pace and structure.

Pieces of history are woven throughout the show. While this could have been heavy-handed and trite, the filmmakers had a deft touch with the material, and each instance is used to further the subtle character development.

"The Crown" was created by Peter Morgan, and is based on his stage play titled "The Audience." Morgan also wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for the movie "The Queen," which focuses on an older Elizabeth.

You can tell throughout the 10-episode run of "The Crown" that Morgan knows this territory well. His scripts are razor sharp, and the large cast avoids coming across as caricatures during the unfolding narrative -- which is a danger with this sort of material.

I don't want to give away too many plot points. I'd rather let you watch the show without any major spoilers.

The rumbling pulse of "The Crown" is provided by Winston Churchill, played in all his gruff, curmudgeonly glory by John Lithgow. The tired old war horse -- who likes to remind those he encounters that he saved the world from fascism -- serves as sort of an odd, arms-length mentor to Elizabeth. He provides the most lively performance in the production.

As the show delves into the drama surrounding the royal family in the 1950s, it is made all the more fascinating with the knowledge that Elizabeth is still the queen, and her husband Philip is still alive in "Merrie Olde England." In fact, the couple celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary two days ago.

It is with a certain amount of regret that I tore through "The Crown" so quickly. It will be another year before a new season is available.

"The Crown" is definitely worth your time -- elegantly drawn and crafted with care. 

Long live our noble queen...

Where to Watch: Netflix (Streaming Subscriptions)
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 10
Rating: TV-MA