Gentleman Jack

Season 2: 8/10. Season 2: 5/10 Gentleman Jack is based on the diaries of Anne Lister, an upper-class lesbian whose mannish clothes and manner perplexed the locals. Season one follows her wooing of the pretty, high-strung Ann Walker as well as her attempts to get into the coal mining business.

With its mines and good and bad nobles and soap operish love story, GJ is reminiscent of Poldark. Both series have a likable but sometimes horribly flawed lead and a bunch of really nice scenery.

Anne Lister is a rather unusual hero because in some ways she's terrible. She admirably flouts societal conventions, but only when it suits her. She doesn't believe in the rules if she doesn't like them, but she's a huge fan of the rules that make her part of the gentry, and while she has sympathy for the lower classes she clearly doesn't feel they should have much in the way of human rights beyond those she gifts them. She is a non-intersectional lesbian, and at times it is hard to like her. But brilliantly played by Suranne Jones, it's equally hard not to be fascinated by her.

Season 1 was well worth watching, but then came season 2.

While the first season had driving momentum, the second season seemed to wander about in aimless confusion. The whole season was basically devoted to an estate division, and when there were lengthy discussions of dividing plots of land it felt like some sort of land surveyor fan service. Plot lines started up and then the writers seemed to just forget about them. The series continued with the parallel lower-class story but at a certain point it just sort of drizzled out and disappeared (not that it was too interesting this season anyway).

It did have its moments. It was interesting to see Ann Walker slowly come into her own, and the final 10 minutes of the final episode was genuinely satisfying, even if it followed the unconvincing, contrived end of the estate nonsense. But I'm honestly not sad at all that it's been cancelled.

Still, great first season.

I've been looking forward to this series. A story about strong confident women during a time when it wasn't fashionable to be so. I love the clever dialogue and how Ms Lister breaks the 4th wall and looks into the camera, as though you and she share a mutual amusement or secret. And best of all it's based on a real person from history.

Gentleman Jack is by far, one of the best offerings on HBO in a while. It is lush in the setting, historically appropriate to the era and consistently presents glorious attention to detail! Ann Lister was indeed a woman who was not willing to sit out life to conform to 19th Century expectations of women. The characters are realistic and the lend themselves to a fast moving series. Being a lover of women does not endear Ann Lister to her family and local associates, but it is hardly an impediment to stop her. This is a refreshing series aptly presented in the spring as one bounces along the footpaths of Northern England with Ann Listeras she goes about her life at break neck speed. This is a series definitely worth seeing!

I have spent far to much time watching period pieces, Jane Austin theater and everything on PBS. FINALLY a heroine who doesn't simper, have her value judged in her ability to marry and produce kids, but who is funny and daring and very much alive.

The music is awesome and only enhances her sense of purpose to take life on her defined terms. Can't wait for the next episode.

I watched the first episode not knowing what to expect and i was pleasantly surprised at how wity and entertaining the central character was, And props to Suranne Jones who was able to easily portray the intimate struggles of a queer, strong woman in the 1800s. She played her role wonderfully well. I would recommend especially if you like historical/period drama