The Living and the Dead

It's 1894 Somerset, England. Pioneering Victorian psychologist Nathan Appleby with his wife Charlotte return home to visit his sick mother. When she dies, Nathan inherits the estate's farm. Charlotte tries to inject new thinking into the farm work but she is opposed by the locals. One night, Nathan finds local girl Harriet in a trance and waist-deep in the lake. He sees it as a psychological disturbance and the locals' fears as superstitions but dark forces may be abound.

This is an interesting BBC show. It's 6 episodes. It is obviously planning to continue but got canceled after the first series. I really like the old rural Britain society and the conflict between modern science and old superstitions. The show transitions into the modern world in the last episode and it's a little jarring. It almost feels like a different show. The book of light is a fun term but I don't really like the modern story of that last episode. It may work better if the modern day story is presented right from the beginning of the show.

The series is beyond words, truly another one of BBC's fine works. The plot is something that I have never encountered before, with its elegant and swift twists. The characters are absolutely lovely, and watching the character development flow is simply beautiful. The series take on paranormal is genius. It is nothing like being afraid of the beast under the bed, or the creature that lingers within the shadows. It is almost like a dreadful feeling of a living being stalking behind you, or eyes that follow you in a painting; and that's what managed to capture me in joining Naethan's journey. The concept of time between the living and the dead is very thoughtful. It allows the viewers to question themselves, "is time real?" and that's the beautiful thing about this show. It gives everyone something to ponder at night, staring into the ceiling with questions that have no right answer. Of course, I must mention the unique dark misgivings that invade the village. It is very interesting to watch how everyone copes with the hectic difficulty, especially Naethan. His struggle with trying to separate the blended lines can be frustrating for a viewer, but that's the whole point I think. You know a show is good when you have a love-hate relationship with it, and all you wanna do is smack the protagonist in the head, then point them in the right direction. All I can say is that it has potential, and hopefully the writers don't waste it.

I personally found this captivating and well worth watching.

The setting is a lovely location with history oozing thru the storyline. the characters are solid, 3d and fully believable. the directing and background make you believe the story and accept the circumstances.

it drags you into the plot and makes you want to know what ever happens next.

I cannot recommend this enough.

Unlike another critic I felt that the music enhanced the plot and added to the air of mystery.

It all becomes explained in the last episode and suddenly it all makes sense.

well worth watching.

It is beautiful. Just beautiful Gothic story, served by impecable acting, inspired atmosphere, great care for details, haunting theme. A couple, a farm,possesed children and shadows of past, old stories, the effort to save the other and himself and beautiful love story. Short, just impressive.

I'm very sad to hear that there will not be any more seasons. It really was wonderfully done.