Like dragonflies, am ecstatic!

There are plot spoilers, so beware.
Last night, just like the night before, I treated myself to three episodes in a row from the DVD, before going to sleep. I saw and loved Flambards in my early teens, when it was on Swedish TV several times. Then I told myself not to record later reruns, too troublesome, didn't have the time to watch anyway, but then I couldn't help myself buying the DVD box a few weeks ago and now I am, once more, addicted. LOL
Why? Well, not only are there horses, but also these early aeroplanes. I used to read Biggles books as a little girl, couldn't get enough of flying simply and wanted to be a pilot, but when I realized how boring modern planes are and the amount of complicated instruments I gave up. The reconstructed early flying machines in Flambards are the real thing and make me just jump with joy. I swear to you, last night I would have swooned, if I had not already been lying in my bed, when I saw William and Sandy (or actually two nameless stunt pilots) looping the loop together in a complicated ballet up in the air. It was so beautiful, like two dragonflies, just made of wood, wire and canvas instead of being metallic blue insects. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. LOL Just wanted to share.
Later on, when one person after the other died, I cried so much that I had to turn off and try to sleep instead. Have of course been dreaming about Flambards all night.
The funny thing is that I had forgotten most of the events in the series, so I watched everything with new eyes. I had an inkling what would happen, that there would be flying accidents, I remembered that both brothers went to war and that some characters would die, but was still caught with surprise, every time something happened. Weird, even if I only read fractions of the books, I have a better book memory, than film memory, I did see the TV-series at least twice. Right now I wonder what made me stop watching it. I think I have come to some conclusions. First of all, I think I was shell-shocked, so to speak, the first time I saw Flambards, it was so painful watching characters I loved suffer, that I actually have managed to suppress the memories. Maybe not only the painful ones, but also the overall impression of the TV-series, or maybe it's just that I'm so much older and more experienced and not so used anymore to high quality British television. ;) Anyway, I must say that even if the story and events aren't that complicated, it is beautifully and cleverly presented. Just too bad about the DVD quality, pale photo and sometimes faces get blotted out, just white spots, so I can't see it with the lovely colours I remembered. But what bad picture quality can't destroy are the wonderfully crafted characters, that you get to know a little, but still wonder about, so they are definitely not shallow. Dramatic events presented in a unsentimental way, not heavily underlined with melodramatic music or anything. Things just happen and can't be predicted, just like in real life.
I remember rooting for William the first time, the adventure of early flying machines won over horses for me, after all and I wanted Christina to be with him, because he was so intelligent and knew so much about the world they lived in, he wasn't ignorant or careless about other people, even if he seemed to be more passionate about aerodynamics than about Christina. LOL Watching William this time was even worse, because I understand so much more, as a grown-up. If William hadn't honoured Sandy's memory, joining the RFC, getting killed, I actually imagine they could have had a very good life together, with separate careers, as an aeroplane designer and horse breeder respectively. They may had come to such a point in their marriage, that they would hardly live together, just see each other as friends and perhaps have other lovers, but still I see them as two kindred spirits. They are both passionate, don't understand the other one's interest, but should be able to respect each other. And I can't get over the humour and the love of nature, though different aspects, they both shared. Youthful spirit and enthusiasm. It was just wonderful seeing them together. When they flew out of the hunter's ball, spent the night repairing the Blériot or the ironic scene they and their like-minded friends acted out for the journalists after Sandy's death; they are different, they stand out and have my full admiration.
I think I understand why both Dick and Mark love Christina and what she feels about them, but for me it's always William. He's a geek, he's quirky and weird, but so am I. William isn't just smart, he's conscious, he knows what's going on in the world around him, he sees things for what they are and isn't afraid to speak his mind. Very modern and still I don't think even our times are ready for such a person. Great character. As other posters, I think it's sad the actor Alan Parnaby hasn't done much else. He had a very expressive face. Open and honest, but still keeping some thoughts to himself. Christina too, she seems to suppress a laughter a lot of the time. She is of course no intellectual match for William, but obviously they enjoy each other's company, so I'm happy. These two are characters you really want to spend time with and have fun. Enjoy nature, discuss books, politics, whatever. I wonder a little if the characters are as like-able in the books, or if it's just these wonderful actors, who can display so many aspects.
Then I must also write that ever since I was a child I've been fascinated with World War I and its effects on the world. This sudden explosion of modernity with new technology, new mindsets, social changes. I think it was the most revolutionary period in history, on all fronts. And then it's so associated with sadness and nostalgia, a meaningless war, not leading to any victory, really, just to crumbling empires, destroyed economies and all this death. Oh yes, some nations could form their own countries, due to the chaos after the war. Then there was all that advanced technology, emancipation of women, social changes leading to more equality, but still one war lead to more wars and we're still living in the aftermath of World War I, almost a hundred years afterwards. Pretty crazy. Was it all worth it? Just as one IMDB comment about Flambards said: "Discuss!" I would watch almost anything set in this time, especially if it's British, so there you have an extra appeal to Flambards.
I'll try to watch the last four episodes soon, don't tell me what happens, I want to be surprised coming back to Flambards after all these years. No William anymore, but I will try to get through it anyway.