The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco

Not a bad show with some interesting characters and good use of San Francisco. My problem is that we are told that the show is set in 1952. There is talk of someone being shipped off to Vietnam, possible but America did not start shipping troops there until the mid 60's. In one scene people are listening to music that sounds like it comes from the late 60's in an era before rock and roll. They also talk about converting a mono record player to a stereo player six years before stereo records were on general release. Then a character mentions the British invasion, if he is talking about music, he is over a decade ahead of his time. These anomalies take me out of the story. It is somewhat lazy writing, research is easy, it is basically what the show is about.

The characters are quite good and this series has potential. I hope they will grow in the next season and that there is a next season more importantly. We are BritBox devotees and this one could well be a keeper.

Loved the original series and was disappointed when it was canceled after 2 Seasons. Now the code crackers who served covertly in England come to San Francisco to solve the murder of a co-worker who died during the war. The women are dismissed by the all male police departments. Little do they know these are women with brilliant minds who won't rest till they find the killer.

This show is vastly different from it's parent show, and that is by no means a bad thing. Focusing on issues still relevant today without seeming preachy or like the "episode of the week", Bletchley Circle: San Francisco manages to introduce characters and story lines that encourage viewers to contemplate their own stance on various issues. Episodes are entertaining and thought provoking, and the characters are nuanced and well-developed. The character development is realistic, and I would say more believable and enjoyable than its predecessor. I am very happy that it was renewed for a second season!

I say, 'give it time to develop'. I thought the sense of period was excellent, with only a couple of 21st century clichés creeping in, but to be honest, the script writers are probably far too young to realise that 'their language' is not what was used over half a century ago. We have to suspend disbelief a little when we watch any TV fiction and this isn't that far off in its portrayal of the 1950's.

I thought the standard of acting was extraordinarily high and feel that this has the potential to develop as well as, say, Endeavour as a series as the cast gradually beds in . . . and who's to say that old cast members won't reappear as the episodes unfold? Sometimes, slow burners turn into the fiercest blazes.