The trailers had looked impressive, promising a sumptuous visual spectacle in the Sunday evening prime viewing spot, and as my better half was determined to commandeer the TV I thought I'd give it a fair 'go'. Well, I've managed two episodes, biting my tongue for fear of spoiling my wife's enjoyment with any observations, only for her to turn to me as the credits rolled and remark: "how on earth can they put this rubbish on? Seriously, is it a joke?".
As others have observed, the setting, scenery and cinematography is a big plus-point. Full of colour, it does it's best to evoke the period before the Raj, but that's about the best I can say. Each scene seems to be confined to a small 'lot', only the eponymous Beecham House showing any sense of scale. The actors, I am sure, do their best, but the script and 'delivery' comes straight out of the school of 'Crossroads' (of hallowed memory!). Long pauses and meaningful stares, as the cast read their next lines off the door/wall etc... The Indian staff in BH are straight out of 'It ain't half hot, Mum', cardboard caricatures with little purpose beyond reinforcing jaded stereotypes, certainly with no character development. Mind you, that pretty much apples to the entire cast.
As for the plot, such as it is, there are the makings of an interesting story about a neglected period in history. However, it is just a complete mess, too many holes, gaps, non-sequiturs to even bother listing. I'd not be surprised if it were 'pulled' before the series ends, or at least shifted to a graveyard slot in the schedule. I will not, I'm afraid, be wasting any more viewing time on this tosh, not while there is drying paint to watch!
As others have observed, the setting, scenery and cinematography is a big plus-point. Full of colour, it does it's best to evoke the period before the Raj, but that's about the best I can say. Each scene seems to be confined to a small 'lot', only the eponymous Beecham House showing any sense of scale. The actors, I am sure, do their best, but the script and 'delivery' comes straight out of the school of 'Crossroads' (of hallowed memory!). Long pauses and meaningful stares, as the cast read their next lines off the door/wall etc... The Indian staff in BH are straight out of 'It ain't half hot, Mum', cardboard caricatures with little purpose beyond reinforcing jaded stereotypes, certainly with no character development. Mind you, that pretty much apples to the entire cast.
As for the plot, such as it is, there are the makings of an interesting story about a neglected period in history. However, it is just a complete mess, too many holes, gaps, non-sequiturs to even bother listing. I'd not be surprised if it were 'pulled' before the series ends, or at least shifted to a graveyard slot in the schedule. I will not, I'm afraid, be wasting any more viewing time on this tosh, not while there is drying paint to watch!