What Are You Watching? Summer Edition: Part One

It's been awhile since we've had a fun discussion on what everyone has been watching so I thought I would start it off with some of the shows I've gotten into lately. Not surprisingly, most of the series I've really enjoyed recently are brought to you by the BBC.

With most of my favorite shows on hiatus here in the states, like Boardwalk Empire, The Newsroom, Veep, Criminal Minds, Downton Abbey and Magic City, I veered towards some BBC original series and boy was I pleasantly surprised at what I found.

First, I was turned on to Sherlock by a couple of friends in the UK and once I found the first two seasons I fell in love with Benedict Cumberbatch and now I'm counting the days until the now very popular actor, wraps up Season 3 of the hit show.  (The latest is it will air in 2014) With only 3 episodes per season, which are over an hour long, each one is perfection from the acting, the scripts to the cinematography which manages to make you forget that this take on one of our most beloved literary characters takes place in modern day Europe. It offers everything that I had hoped the American version, Elementary fails to deliver. (Sorry to any Elementary fans out there!)

Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Sherlock and Martin Freeman who plays the incomparable, Watson in the BBC series.

Some of the best scenes are when the two first meet and become flat mates. Sherlock's digs are exactly how we had hoped they would be.

Watson gets his first glimpse of what he's in for.

If you're familiar with the comedic actor, Freeman's previous work like the original BBC series, The Office or The Robinson's you know you're going to get some laugh out loud moments when the two actors go at one another and match wits.

 Una Stubbs plays their landlady, Mrs. Hudson and she is delightful in all of her scatterbrained but motherly glory.

 Sherlock, using that brilliant mind to solve cases with modern day gadgets. 

He's so eccentric and clever. I have to say it again that this series is one of the most brilliant shows of the last decade. Well done, BBC!

The modern day Sherlock has it's fair share of intriguing villains for our detective to play cat and mouse with.

My favorite episode of the first two seasons is The Hounds of Baskerville (S2, Ep2)

The mastermind at work!

While I'm on the Benedict love train, I also caught the mini series, Parade's End which originally aired on the BBC in 2012 and starred the talented actor. If you're a fan of Ford Madox Ford's books then you won't be disappointed in this adaptation of my favorite from his stellar repartee. Visually they've outdone themselves and the casting was brilliant. As you weave your way through the five episodes in the series you cheer for Christopher Tietjens while knowing his journey is often heartbreaking and surreal.

 The aristocrats of Old England, holding on to their lavish lifestyles during The Great War.

 Rebecca Hall plays the vindictive, cruel wife, Sylvia Tietjens in the five part series. While often deplorable, she fills the harlot shoes perfectly and she looks gorgeous while doing so. 

 Our feisty little suffragette,  Valentine Wannop is played by Adelaide Clemons.

 A very blonde, Benedict Cumberbatch, steals our hearts as Christopher Tietjens.

 The costumes and sets are worth mentioning.

 Rupert Everett is delightful as the supportive and insightful older brother, Mark Tietjens.

 For our horse lovers, like Lindsay. 

 The most insincere and dangerous smile in England.

 Tietjens comrades are so The Three Stooges that we are given a few great laughs in the series.

 So many quirks that make the lead even more endearing.

 The scenes between the brothers are some of my favorites.

 So troubled! That wife of his. She would have put lesser men in their graves.

 For the ladies!

 If you're not a fan of tragic love stories there are plenty of scenes that depict the tragedies and struggles of wartime, England.

 We also get a lot of Sylvia's smarmy and inept suitors.

 She may look like a lady but she is no lady!

 I screen grabbed this one because I have two of those identical jars on my dresser. Too bad I don't have those long red locks and yards of lace to wrap my body in at night. ha ha

 Cumberbatch reporting for duty and looking quite handsome in his uniform. 

 Stealing scenes with just one expression.

 Lots of fur and attitude for days!

 We're taken back to 1912. 

 Such sweetness and I love that sweater!

Then back to Sylvia to remind us that money and breeding doesn't always buy happiness, morals or even a proper steam iron.

I didn't want to give too much away here in case you have been inspired to watch either Sherlock or Parade's End.

Have you seen either of the two series? If so I can't wait to get your thoughts on them or anything that comes to mind after reading, please discuss in comments. What have you been watching this summer? 

In Part Two, I'll be featuring more brilliant shows from the BBC like Ripper Street, the sequel, Upstairs, Downstairs and Call the Midwife. 

Until then, thanks so much for stopping by!
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