The Crimson Field

As a fan of period dramas, I knew The Crimson Field would be up my street, but I have really loved every second of this and will be devastated if this is the only series. The mix of well known actors and new faces was inspired casting and I've been hooked by all the characters and the back stories which emerged over the first couple of episodes. Still so much to be resolved and only one episode left. How can this be?? Richard Rankin and Oona Chaplin deserve special mention for their sizzling tension and I would love them to have their happy ending! But as a seasoned drama addict, I know that what the viewer wants isn't always what is delivered by the writer. Talking of the writer, Sarah Phelps has excelled herself in creating this and I really hope the BBC see sense and commission at least one more series to bring her remaining ideas to life.

I am really loving this series, and hoping it not only is renewed for a second season but is picked up in the US. The portrayals of each character are great, and we see them as they are revealed layer by layer. Also like that they are not black-and-white, cardboard people, but layered and ones we grow to care about and respect. The sets and action are true to the time period, well devised and shown. Crossing my fingers to see more... I find Richard Rankin's portrayal especially good. He is a doctor who is more progressive that many of his "superiors" but also from a lower social class than most, so he fights a double battle. The support he receives from the Lt. Col. Roland Brett (head doctor played by Kevin Doyle) and Brett's own struggle with what's good for the patient vs. the Army wanting to put men back out in the field is well-portrayed. I'm liking very much the lives of the nurses and VAD's. Oona Chaplin is Kitty, a VAD with a secret and spectacularly shows the emotions boiling under her very controlled surface. The other nurses and VAD's all have their own secrets and these are slowly being revealed. All in all, excellent series. Hoping to hear the BBC has renewed it soon.

I posted a version of this review in episode 1 reviews but I have expanded it somewhat as it is also an accurate review of the series and all episodes I have watched thus far.

I thoroughly enjoyed the premiere episode of The Crimson Field as well as all subsequent episodes. I am on pins and needles waiting for the season finale to see how many plot points can be wrapped up yet still leave us wanting more. It is an intriguing and refreshing premise to watch a show focused mainly on how women cope with the realities of a front line field hospital in WWI. It is a period deserving of special attention during this centenary year. It is also a period that has become more familiar to general viewers through Downton Abbey(Season 2) and The Crimson Field almost seems a logical progression from some of the events exposed in that drama.

I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the characters of The Crimson Field develop under the deft and expert writing of Sarah Phelps' scripts. The work of the directors, Richard Clark in particular with episodes 3&4, have shown a lot of finesse in crafting an hour of TV that tugs on your heartstrings and effortlessly draw you into the world and the struggles of the inhabitants living and working so close to the front lines.

The early promise in the performances of relative newcomers such as Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones) and Richard Rankin has been more than fulfilled. There is one episode yet to go but I am already convinced that a second season is absolutely required. Viewers will not be ready to leave the world and characters so expertly portrayed after a single season.

The Crimson Field has been such an amazing series to watch and I cannot believe the final episode is tomorrow! The actors have done a brilliant job, contrasting drama and humour well! Sarah Phelps has created such a different and fresh look on the role that women had to play in World War One. Each episode changes your feelings about each character and the many stories taking place within the general story makes it that much more enjoyable to watch. Every character have different qualities that are either subtle or obvious meaning that each week of the series, when new characteristics are shown, new characters become your favourites and your old favourites become your least. Because your opinions change, and even though the general story is carried on and romances/relationships between the characters are continued, plots to each episodes are different making the show never boring. Definitely recommended and I will be so upset if I hear the BBC haven't renewed it.

Sarah Phelps has written a new perspective on WWI that is intelligent, humorous, compassionate and poignant. While it is from the point of view of nurses and VAD's in WWI, the experiences of the soldiers who are their patients, and that of the other men on staff, are given equal attention.

Each major character has a depth of storyline that still has not been fully revealed (writing this review after viewing S1Ep5). I've been counting the days until the next episode airs, eager to learn more about what past events has shaped each of these very well drawn, fully realized people. Above all, this is where the uncommon strength of this series lies. I hope that we get to see these wonderful characters proceed through to 1918.

All of the actors are very talented and a joy to watch, but most especially newcomer Richard Rankin. His character, the Scottish surgeon Capt. Thomas Gillan, is explosive, passionate and conflicted.

I completely agree with previous reviewers that favored director Richard Clark's episodes, his vision is truly beautiful.