MovieChat Forums > Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) Discussion > 10 biggest let downs of the series *spoi...

10 biggest let downs of the series spoilers

posted 10 years ago by Phidippides
17 replies | jump to latest

First, this was a great series. Make no doubt about that. But with that said, I have some lingering thoughts about things that bothered me a bit:

1) Matthew the Forger leaving (perhaps without explanation)

2) The fact that the Christmas episode was clearly filmed during the summer months

3) The "forced" romance between Mr. Cochran and Dorcas

4) The sudden adoption of pagan beliefs midway through the series

5) The fact that he final episode of S4 was largely about Caroline, an unlikeable character

6) Mr. J.D. not making a reappearance.

7) Sir Timothy not making a reappearance.

8) Nan leaving the storyline without explanation.

9) Having the romance between Laura and Daniel fizzle out during Season 4; Daniel might have had one line in the last episode...what's up with that?

10) The biggest let down for me was the departure of Robert Timmins. I watched the series on Amazon Prime so I don't recall which episode he officially left in, but I recall that the announcement of his departure was kind of after-the-fact. I assumed that it would have been a temporary exit, and that he would return before long.

The strong will of Robert Timmins was surely missed. As much as I like Mr. Bates' character, Robert Timmins is even more impressive.

~After enjoying that movie, I figured I'd drop by IMDB to read about all of its problems.

[–] vikki-lewis 10 years ago

Agree with you on 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

4) The sudden adoption of pagan beliefs midway through the series

I didn't see that as sudden. Mainly because it came from Queenie almost all of the time. The older generation having, as Twister put it "the old country ways".

From the top of the head I can think of Zilla commenting that "[chimney] sweeps is lucky!". Queenie and the villagers creating some wreaths and things for that tree. Queenie giving Emma a bunch of items to put under her pillow to "keep grey hairs at bay". Twister and Queenie making some kind of special mead for good luck. Queenie, Twister and some of the Candleford residents finding hidden meanings and signs in an embroidery. As well as the tea leaf reading.

Lots of people still hold onto traditional pagan beliefs and superstitions,though they might not be aware of them.

5) The fact that he final episode of S4 was largely about Caroline, an unlikeable character

I didn't mind that either, but I wish they thought of a few more episodes for Series 4, the last episode in particular was very rushed.

6) Mr. J.D. not making a reappearance.

Personally I could not stand Mr JD, either the character or the actor.

[–] Ms_Q 9 years ago

The mead wasn't special -- the superstition was that the first sip of a new batch brought good luck.

Also, Queenie talking to the bees, and telling them that their master had died. That superstition still exists in rural areas of the United States, especially in the Appalachians.

However, there is a difference between the various superstitions and that ceremony for the tree. That was pure Wiccan. A country superstition would have been less formal, less orderly, and stranger -- more on the order of the charms that Queenie gave Margaret to ensure conception. A skillet under the bed? Take coins from his pockets? Pick some kind of weed at night in the buff? That's what folk beliefs are like -- they are not logical.

[–] furienna 9 years ago

However, there is a difference between the various superstitions and that ceremony for the tree. That was pure Wiccan.

Yeah, I guess that you have a point there. But I can still buy the idea that some people back then actually went beyond the normal superstitions.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] Ms_Q 9 years ago

I bought the book and read it -- nothing even remotely close to that ceremony was in the book. In fact, about 75-80% of the series is complete fabrication.

[–] furienna 9 years ago

I believe you. This TV series was only loosely based on the book.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] njgill 9 years ago

75-80% of the series is complete fabrication

Well, it's ALL fabrication for that matter - it wasn't a non-fiction book, nor was the TV show intended to be accepted as a documentary. If you meant that the show portrayed storylines that were not in the book, that's correct - otherwise, it would have ended after one season.

[–] Ms_Q 9 years ago

Yes, it is a non-fiction book. They are her memoirs. And there are three separate books in the series, far more than enough for more than one season.

Why do they use the same titles if they are not dramatizing the books? Let them create their own titles and their own names for their own characters.

[–] njgill 9 years ago

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077744/

Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011)
TV Series | 53 min | Drama

An adaptation of Flora Thompson's autobiographical novel "Lark Rise To Candleford"....

autobiographical novel

novel
noun
a fictitious prose narrative of book length, typically representing character and action with some degree of realism

[–] Ms_Q 9 years ago

Yes, you're right, they are a fictionalized account of her life. And thank you for the stunning information that it is not a documentary. I'm so glad that you cleared that up.

Obviously there's no reason to expect that a dramatization of that account should in any way remain faithful to the original, despite billing itself as such. No reason to think that such a dramatization would try to at least remain marginally historically accurate. Perfectly reasonable for them to insert all kinds of modern ideas and values and practices, because we all know the only differences between then and now were the clothes. I mean, that's why people watch costume dramas -- for the costumes, not for the historical setting.

For anyone who cares, the dramatization is not an accurate representation. The books are far more complex and not at all as trite and cliched as the series. No Wiccans, for one thing. There is no romance between Dorcas and Sir Timothy -- they didn't even know each other.

So there's no need to argue over whether the people living then would have carried out this ritual, as they didn't.

Oh, and the series also completely changes the geography. As per another discussion, no one walked from Lark Rise to Candleford on a regular basis; Lark Rise did not get its mail from Candleford. The nearest post office was in an unnamed market town about 4 miles away.

[–] lantzn 9 years ago

I can't believe you didn't mention Alfie and Minnie pairing up. That was the most ridiculous match up. Putting the hard-working responsible Alfie with the town idiot was a shame.

[–] Phidippides 9 years ago

Yeah I suppose that was a bit strange, but Minnie did seem to have a good heart. Also, there were only so many women of suitable age in the area for Alfie (at least who had characters on the show), so I that's probably why they were paired up.

~After enjoying that movie, I figured I would drop by IMDB to read about its problems.

[–] furienna 9 years ago

I can't believe you didn't mention Alfie and Minnie pairing up. That was the most ridiculous match up. Putting the hard-working responsible Alfie with the town idiot was a shame.

I liked that pairing, actually. Yes, I agree with you that Minnie came across as a town idiot. But it seems like she had matured a great deal during her time as a maid at the post office, and Alfie was sweet and humble enough to appreciate her despite her obvious flaws.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] SnapCrackledThePop 8 years ago

That Minny/Winny (can't remember exactly) was added. That actress is annoying in every show she's in, but she was the worst here.

[–] stephanieokay 8 years ago

Yes! I completely agree with numbers 3 and 7!

I was not happy at all with the pairing of Dorcas and Gabriel. It seemed so forced. I'd rather the series ended with the question of "will Dorcas ever marry" left open-ended than hastily tied up.

I kept waiting for Sir Timothy to return so that storyline could have some sort of closure. Also, it didn't make sense that if he had so many responsibilities as the squire and took them so seriously he would stay away for so long.

I always thought Dorcas hadn't married because of her feelings for Sir Timothy, but in the final season it is stated that she would have to give up her position as Postmistress if she ever married. Gabriel finds this out but he doesn't discuss it with Dorcas at all. This is important! Dorcas told another character that there was probably a way to get around this rule (very true to her character) but she never told Gabriel that. This didn't make any sense to me, especially because this fact was used to make Gabriel distance himself from Dorcas for a time.

I enjoyed the early part of the series much more than the latter part.

[–] chazcp 8 years ago

Yes, what is the story completion of Daniel and Laura? I thought I had missed an episode. Disappointing final episode. Laura's character was seen in this season 4 episode 6 but for a couple of seconds. The adult Laura narrating Lark Rise to Candleford did not provide the viewer with an answer as well.

[–] Lady_Orc 8 years ago

they finally make mention of Matthew leaving in season 4, which i thought was nice. However, Alf's girlfriend mysteriously disappeared, and i thought it was pretty lame they never mentioned it at all before he got with Minnie.

the last episode was good, but totally rushed. I wish it was a 2 hour episode.

the romance between Dorcas and Gabriel was pretty lackluster, i agree. I really wish he just left town. It would've sucked for Dorcas, but they could've emphasized that she got over it, or even better, got a letter in the mail from a newly divorced Sir Timothy announcing his return.

Like you, I really missed Robert in the last season. Robert Timmins was a truly compelling character to me, much more than Mr. Bates ever was. His chemistry with Emma was so real on screen, even if they did fight a lot. I loved it.

[–] bittenhoney 7 years ago

It's been so long since I watched this, but I think Laura and Dorcas should have gotten married. They made Dorcas an old maid, and the show already had two old maid sisters.

10 biggest let downs of the series *spoilers*

10 biggest let downs of the series spoilers