Rosemary & Thyme

My best friend and I enjoyed every moment of watching Rosemary and Thyme. Before our marriages we traveled together and had many adventures. Laura and Rosemary reminded us of those adventures and now at 80 years of age and without spouses we would love to have a gardening business together and become Rosemary and Thyme! We can live vicariously through them! The photography was fantastic of the gardens in England and European countries. The acting of Pam Kendall and Felicity Ferres was excellent, they were a perfect combination. They had a refreshing relationship of getting along as friends, coworkers and the comradeship of "sisters" as my friend and I, yet with some disagreements and a touch of romance on some of their escapades, showing they were not too old or too busy for romance. A fresh and very entertaining Series. Please continue the Series with the same actresses. Anyone who does not like the Series may watch the more violent and gory reality type Murder Mysteries.

This wonderful "who done it" British TV series lasted only three seasons and was canceled because of budget concerns. As it is, 22 episodes are available on DVD.

Basic plot has Rosemary Boxer (Felicity Kendal) who's been fired from her job as a university lecturer in plant pathology, and Laura Thyme (Pam Ferris) a housewife (and former police woman) dumped by her husband. The two meet by chance and form a fast friendship that leads them to start a business as gardeners. But they get more than they bargained for when they get involved in local politics, family squabbles, and (invariably) in murder.

The two women use their natural curiosity and knowledge of plants to help the cops solve the murders.

The show is notable for never showing the actual violence of murder and for having two women of a certain age who are not involved in relationships or with cutesy kiddies. Another big bonus is the gorgeous location filming at various estates around the UK and a few trips to the continent. The viewer can also pick up bits and pieces of garden lore and tips.

Kendal is of course a major TV star with hit series like THE GOOD NEIGHBORS and SOLO to her credit. Ferris also has a long list of TV credits. They work perfectly together. These women are smart, independent, and funny.

The series boasts a lot of familiar faces as guests like Anthony Andrews, Phyllida Law, Suzanne Bertish, Belinda Lang, Michael Cochrane, Mel Martin, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Margaret Tyzack, Tilly Blackwood, Julian Firth, Murray Head, Diana Hardcastle, Christopher Bowen, and Neil McDermott.

Terrific!

I was saddened to hear that last night's episode of this show was the last of the series. I found the platonic chemistry between Felicity Kendal CBE and Pam Ferris to be very entertaining. Felicity's Rosemary Boxer is more down to earth, sensible, and smart while Pam's Laura Thyme is quite charming to watch as well. They work very well together and it would be a terrible shame to end the series now. Granted, two female gardeners working on grand estates where murders occur is unlikely to happen in reality but it's not real. It's television after all and I hope that they would bring them back together for another series. Last night's episode featured one of my favorites like Anne Lambton as Queenie and the storyline was not magnificent but worth watching. In one hour, they solved a double homicide with twists and turns but also kept me guessing and entertained at the same time. The British love their gardens and murder mysteries now they have combined two hobbies into one for an entertaining show to be shown for years on television.

Well this may not be to the taste of everyone but it isn't as dreadful as the previous poster says at all. I think the women gardeners who end up being detectives are believable characters, who use intuition, common sense, keen perceptions of character, as well as their knowledge of horticulture, to solve crimes. This is not a blood and cuts, men shooting at men, plot driven macho show. There are so many shows that are completely plot driven, with high tech effects but the character has no basis in real life that make this gentle show refreshing.

I like this, consider myself well read and educated, etc but I can see not everyone will like everything. It isn't necessary to put it down with such rancor. When I see such unnecessary venom on a review, it makes me wonder if the writer were rejected for a job on the show or was dumped by someone on the show.

So, this is light pleasant fare. When it is on public TV on Mystery night, I watch it. There are a lot worse shows on American TV, no need to dump on this if it isn't to one's taste. And if you like gardening, it is fun.

And I love the way British TV has realistic, believable women who aren't babes in leads.

The women in this series appear as if they're having fun and they take us along for the ride.

The relationship between Felicity Kendal & Pam Ferris is like salt and pepper. One is spicy, sharp and speaks her mind. Sometimes this places her in a 'dangerous' situation but she's willing to take the risk.

The other is more diplomatic and a tad cautious. This makes a good blend which will reach most of us (women, that is).

You know at the outset there's little chance of real danger but it's a pleasure to have a cup of tea while enjoying their adventures.

Sugar and spice make a good combo. The Brits really show us up -- almost all the time. Watched them from the outset. Delighted they keep coming back.