The Paradise

I've never been one for 'period' or costume drama but I quite enjoyed the two episodes I've seen so far.

I don't understand the "distinctly cardboard-looking Victorian Street" comment in one of the reviews. Really? It looked real enough to me and judging by the location feature on this site it was.

There are loads of streets like that in the UK. I can think of a few in Bristol alone.

I mistakenly watched the second episode before the first and I was quite surprised to see two or three characters behaving quite differently between the two episodes for no apparent reason.

Other than that, just relax and enjoy it. Or not watch it just to pick out perceived flaws.

If you come to this series having first read Zola's book, you'll be greatly disappointed. There are few touch points between the two, and the entire spirit is different as well. What they do have very much in common is the theme of big business relentlessly and irreversibly destroying small business.

That said, I enjoyed this series. Denise is suitably innocent and pure, Moray is single-minded and lecherous, and the introduced character of Jonas is malevolent. Yes, the whole show has Victorian melodrama stamped all over it, but that doesn't make it any less compelling.

Given the ending of series 1, I can't imagine what series 2 will be like.

Sometimes I think I know where this story is going and it suddenly takes a turn not expected.

At first glance many of the situations and characters seem so common or typical. As the story goes along the characters develop rich persona's and quirks of their own. Some of them need work but it's small criticism. Despite it's period setting, the feel is very contemporary and the writing style, sharp for period pieces. Still it's good for young and old. I don't often warm to these period pieces with women in long dresses and lace and the class differences being used as reason for conflict. Paradise seems to give equal standing to all its characters, regardless of class, and invents interesting back stories for so many of them. The sets and scenery and costume are good but not outstanding. The quality comes from the concept and the well written script.

This period piece about a young woman who starts work at a department store lead by a charismatic and impetuous director is an enjoyable piece of fluff with a lovely mix of drama, comedy, mystery, and romance. The first season, loosely on a novel, is thoroughly engaging. The second season is fairly compelling as well but also rather daft, with all sorts of logic issues and characters who personality traits have become oddly fluid.

The cast is excellent, particularly the lovely Joanna Vanderham in the main role and David Hayman as the mysterious Jonas. It's a shame this only got two seasons. Definitely recommended.

This is not to summarize the show, that's been done by others. I've read some disparaging remarks about both the show and the actors. I almost did not watch this show on Netflix because of the comments. One poster said it had a horrible ending that made no sense, etc. Another poster has made very unkind comments about some of the actor's abilities. I did not want to take the time to get into two full seasons of a show that had mediocre acting and a poorly written ending. I watched the first episode anyway, then the second. They were very good but I still didn't want to take the plunge. Therefore, a couple of months went by before I watched another episode, then another and another until I said "oh what the heck!" It was pulling me back night after night until I came to the last episode quite expecting to be disappointed in the ending (due to posted comments). I can tell you honestly, and in my humble opinion, that I don't know what those other two posters were watching. The Paradise produced wonderful acting in all parts (remember, these folks are being directed) and there wasn't a thing wrong with the ending. Which brings me back to my summary line - "don't hesitate to watch this two season show!" I believe you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it.