Gentleman Jack

HBO hit it out of the park with this. Stellar cast, stellar script & story based on the real Anne Lister who refused to be left behind in her time nor conform to what proper society thought a lady should be or do. Leaves one to wonder how many other brave women stepped up like she did, but didn't leave a diary behind or no one cared enough to save it for prosperitys sake, sadly. I'd hate to think she's the only one. Thank you HBO & BBC for bringing this to life. It's by far the best of period pieces we've had to choose from in a while...I applaude BBC for always getting behind great period pieces and HBO for supporting BBC this time round for bringing this wonderful series to fruition.

Season 2: 8/10. Season 2: 5/10 Gentleman Jack is based on the diaries of Anne Lister, an upper-class lesbian whose mannish clothes and manner perplexed the locals. Season one follows her wooing of the pretty, high-strung Ann Walker as well as her attempts to get into the coal mining business.

With its mines and good and bad nobles and soap operish love story, GJ is reminiscent of Poldark. Both series have a likable but sometimes horribly flawed lead and a bunch of really nice scenery.

Anne Lister is a rather unusual hero because in some ways she's terrible. She admirably flouts societal conventions, but only when it suits her. She doesn't believe in the rules if she doesn't like them, but she's a huge fan of the rules that make her part of the gentry, and while she has sympathy for the lower classes she clearly doesn't feel they should have much in the way of human rights beyond those she gifts them. She is a non-intersectional lesbian, and at times it is hard to like her. But brilliantly played by Suranne Jones, it's equally hard not to be fascinated by her.

Season 1 was well worth watching, but then came season 2.

While the first season had driving momentum, the second season seemed to wander about in aimless confusion. The whole season was basically devoted to an estate division, and when there were lengthy discussions of dividing plots of land it felt like some sort of land surveyor fan service. Plot lines started up and then the writers seemed to just forget about them. The series continued with the parallel lower-class story but at a certain point it just sort of drizzled out and disappeared (not that it was too interesting this season anyway).

It did have its moments. It was interesting to see Ann Walker slowly come into her own, and the final 10 minutes of the final episode was genuinely satisfying, even if it followed the unconvincing, contrived end of the estate nonsense. But I'm honestly not sad at all that it's been cancelled.

Still, great first season.

There is no doubt series 1 was just wonderful. Everything worked.

But series 2? What a mess and just so difficult to follow what was going on.

Storylines came and went. Characters briefly introduced and then dropped. No explanations given. No reason why this happened. Consistency just disappeared as well.

It took me ages to figure out what was going on and then I noticed that at least 3 if not 4 directors were used for the season - I'm still not sure who directed episode 8.

It was as if the directors had different visitons as to what the story should be and how it should be told and also as to which stories should be followed and which dropped.

We have the tenant farmers with the pigs again where the husband met an untimely fate in series 1. They're back again in series 1, a new character is introduced to the farm. He's a troublemaker for the 3 episodes. He disappears in episode 3. Hints that questions will be asked.

But then the entire story is dropped from episode 4 on. Why? As I'm suggesting, is this because the new director in episode 4 didn't like the story and just decided not to pursue it and just drop it?

In the middle episodes, we have the storyline re canals vs. Trains and which will be the future with intense negotiations by Anne with shareholder meetings and making decisions as to where she should place her money. Episode 6? Gone, not to appear again except for a brief mention of selling shares in episode 7.

We have the general election theme in two episodes and all the politics and violence. Next episode? Gone with barely a mention.

The coal mine? It comes and goes. Lots of discussion about developing it, who is in charge, what should be done but then it disappears for a couple of episodes only to reappear again with the new director in the later episodes.

In episode 5, there is a great deal made of the cook's health and eventually Anne suggests she go off for a visit to a relative to rest and recover. We expected the next episode would follow her visit and discuss developments. Nope. In episode 6, she is just not present only to briefly reappear back at Shipton in episode 7 with a short "are you feeling better?" from Anne.

We could barely keep track of characters as they came and went so often it was dizzying.

Did we enjoy this series? Not really. Will we watch a series 3? Not if they persist with multiple directors who clearly have their own visions and aren't talking to each other.

Gentleman Jack have a superb casting all over. However. Suranne Jones is in a league of her own, as always. Why she is not up there, among the great Hollywood stars, is probably because she is best known as a tv-actor. Put her in a drama next to anyone and Suranne will overshine anyone. Best actor ever!

I have spent far to much time watching period pieces, Jane Austin theater and everything on PBS. FINALLY a heroine who doesn't simper, have her value judged in her ability to marry and produce kids, but who is funny and daring and very much alive.

The music is awesome and only enhances her sense of purpose to take life on her defined terms. Can't wait for the next episode.