William and Mary

All characters are fine on this show - that is already running out of new ideas in the middle of series 2 - except, in my opinion, Mary. She seems so abrasive, crude and out-of-place with her line of work, and the themes that have been present in every episode are being used too often and often in too heavy-handed a fashion.. I am beginning to see why it lasted only three series. Nevertheless, there are enough pleasant surprises and good dialogue to keep it watchable and I'll watch all the episodes. I never thought I'd like Rueben, but he's quite a study in a conflicted man. My criticisms are not towards the actors, they are all very good actors; it's just that Mary is a scene-stealer for me...and not in a good way.

1st series really good, second series not bad, third series Mary becomes insane an frankly impossible to live with. Any rasonable guy would have 'ejected' writing was abysmal, what a shame. Acting was good but what can you do with a script this bad,

I just watched all episodes of Series 1, 2 and 3 on Acorn TV in the USA. While this series is billed there as a comedy, I thought it to be more of a drama despite the occasional interruptions of humor. I got the feeling that it was a bit of a British soap opera for all of the cliff-hanger endings. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the series. I thought the acting of the main characters was excellent and the chemistry between them seemed real. The direction was superb. The careers and history of the main characters is something I have not seen in American TV or movies. but I watch very little of that commercial driven drivel. It hooked me after the second episode and I am glad that I spent the time to see it all.

Very well acted and moving at times, William And Mary is one of those TV mini-series that ITV1 is so good at turning out these days. Martin Clunes as a dissatisfied undertaker is particularly good, acting his way through so many emotional troughs and peaks that you're surprised his character doesn't end up in an asylum. The only let-down is the ending, which is rather too neat and unrealistic for my taste.

I am in the middle of this series now and am already dreading it's end. If anyone can tell me where I can buy this entire series on DVD, I would love to do so. The characters are engaging, everyday people with everyday problems and you find yourself inwardly cheering them on and feeling as if you've known them forever. Each episode is directly relative to some portion of your own life - everything about the series is completely believable from the individual characters to the continuity and story lines of each episode. What one of us cannot find a character to relate to, believe in or dislike has not lived life at all, from the deadbeat ex to the interfering mother to the rude stepchildren. But what wins us over every time is the way William absolutely champions his love for Mary with a single twinkle in his beautiful eyes. When Mary finally told William she was in love with him, I was in tears. I, myself, am totally in love with Martin Clunes and will wait for him forever!