Belgravia: The Next Chapter

I am a fan of period dramas, and have set "Downton Abbey" as the golden standard. Naturally, that means I am very interested in titles by Julian Fellows, and have seen at least a few of them. When I watched "Belgravia", I thought it was a lightweight compared to "Downton Abbey". Whereas the characters in "Downton" are complex and well developed, the characters of "Belgravia" seemed a bit charicatured and simplified. There were the good guys on one side, and the bad ones on the other. The whole plot seemed a bit like an ordinary fairytale, and it was easy to guess where everything would end up.

Now, I started watching the spin-off show straight after finishing the original show, and was very pleasantly surprised. The characters all seem more complex than in the previous show, and there are more side plots, just like we saw in "Downton Abbey". The "downstairs" party are much more complete characters than the ones in the first part of "Belgravia", and I find myself interested in their backstories. Much more to work with for the writers, and I can easily see a continuance for this show.

I am seriously puzzled that so many hate this season compared to the original. Do most people prefer the lightweight, straight forward story with few surprises in store? I find that hard to believe. Yes, this season is much more subtle, and keep its mysteries for a longer time, but I completely disagree about the notion that the main character has the personality of a "block of wood". He is contained, troubled and melancholy. He tries to open up now and again, but struggles with himself. I think the actor is doing a clever job of a character that is hard to portray.

... of all the written-viewer-reviews to date... two are highly complimentary, all remaining run from so-so to exceptionally-poor... actually Belgravia: Next Chapter falling somewhere in-upper-between... a decent watch, yet not so good as past Julian Fellowes creations

... Belgravia had several memorable characters, in the Next Chapter it requires straining to come up with more than the show's lead... with only a couple more episodes remaining there's little time for recovery-saving of this season... being very well made, and overall acting not as terrible as some would suggest... it's just not what was expected after the original series... all those familiar, well-known-individuals setting a high benchmark for this latest cast to match-compete... they coulda-shoulda carried a couple-three of 'em into this current series, at least for a time

... will there be another 'season' in-of Belgravia ... would like to say hope-so, having reservations-doubts ... but would still try watching it once again, as many others enamored of entertaining-period-drama... and Belgravia still remaining better than host of others in this category

03.11.24 ... next to last episode far best of this season's-series.. ending episode gave more the feeling of your typical Hallmark romantic-drama ... with every storyline thread neatly being tidied-up (even her sister centering on a new prospect).. it feels as if we just might have seen the last of the Belgravia-saga.

Belgravia was written by Julian Fellow and his attention to details was visible everywhere. It wasn't perfect, but it was interesting, the actors were good, the time period well presented. But this New Chapter feels like a high school play. The actor playing Frédéric Trenchard is so bad! The costumes are awful, again it looks like a mom took whatever look like from before 1900 and dressed the characters with it, with no research of the specific period. So there is costume from the Elizabethan period (16th century) mixed with the early Victorian (1840'). The characters display 21st century values and attitude. It could be funny if it was a spoof but it's not supposed to be. Neither is it a period-fantasty like Bridgerton. I can't understand how Julian Fellow accepted to have is name associated to it. Did he lost a bet?

After thoroughly enjoying the original series of 'Belgravia' (a solid 8/10 miniseries, arguably 9/10), I was hopeful that most of the negative reviews of "Belgravia: The Next Chapter" would be wrong, or at least a bit exaggerated. Alas, the negative reviews are more right than wrong, and this second season is yet another example of a great show taking a massive step down from a successful first season.

It was always going to be a tough task to match the clever, rewarding, and intelligent writing of the first season, but "The Next Chapter" falls short of even the above average level of writing of well-produced shows of the modern era of entertainment. The main plot line and the character arcs of the two leads is just not very interesting, especially from about the 3rd or 4th episode on. While season one seemed too short and had you begging for more at six episodes, this second season tests your patience at eight episodes in which little seems to happen half the time. You know a writer is completely clueless when they start portraying the 1871 Paris Commune in a positive light (the best era in Paris's history, the Belle Epoque, only happened thanks to the failing of said evil Commune, not to mention that the same ideology that the Commune spouted would go on to kill 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 more people than fascism in the 20th century). The side plots are eye-rollingly predictable at best. So how does it even earn a review this high? Mainly because of the great production, excellent cinematography, and wonderful acting, especially by Harriet Slater. While other positive reviews here credit the 'victim' plot line, the reality is that the focus on victims has created a culture in which every struggling person pretends to be a victim in every way possible, causing their mental state to deteriorate. Similarly, our main male lead sulks, acts petulant, and behaves like a prick and uses his so-called 'victim' status as an excuse. Overall, this is a very skippable season of television, although not a total disaster.

I'll start off with the bad. The main "love" story between Frederick Threnchard and Clara Dunn is a problem. He has the personality of a block of wood, and Clara's instant love for him is a puzzlement. To her credit, away from him, the actress comes alive, so I'm assuming he's sucking the charisma out of her.

To be fair, the actor is saddled with a ludicrous storyline where his personality and demeanor is explained by his father being cruel to him and loving his brother more. So, he has to spend copious amounts of time, staring off into space, wallowing in his man pain. He's tedious and boring, and his hatred for his brother is so irrational and off-putting.

BUT, there is stuff to recommend here. Toby Regbo as Frederick's kindly brother, who is devoted to his work as a Reverand, and hides a painful secret from the world, is a revelation, and easily the most interesting character in the show. Sophie Thompson as Clara's dottering mother is charming and sweet. Hannah Onslow, playing Clara's less effervescent sister nails her characters barely disguised bitterness. Liam Garrigan and Elaine Cassiday also shine as members of the household staff with their own stories to tell. And Sophie Windkleman and Miles Jupp as the Duke and Duchess of Rochester have a side story that is surprisingly effective.

Jury is out for me on Edward Bluemel's doctor character, but perhaps he'll become more fully fleshed out as the show goes on. The actor is solid, so that helps. But he feels threadbare as a character.

I do think the show suffers from pacing issues, and whatever big bad thing that happened between Frederick and James really should've been revealed already. The longer its drawn out, the more likely it is to disappoint when its revealed.