Why do they always try to shoehorn modern sensibilities into period pieces?

No, they didn't just give transvestism and homosexuality a nod and a wink in the early '50's. If they want to write that kind of show, they should do a modern version. What's the point of doing a period piece, then cram the square peg into the round hole?

Brits used to be very good at period pieces. Now you can just depend on them to get the clothes and the furniture right.