William and Mary

Came upon this series by accident. I purchase many British TV DVDs from Amazon.co.UK and this complete series was going cheap and being a great fan of men behaving badly, i thought lets give it a go.

We sat down one rainy afternoon and nine episodes later, said we must go to bed. This is a brilliant series, certainly not a comedy as some might think, there are many heart rendering moments. William (Martin Clunes) is an undertaker by default and Mary (Julie Graham) is a midwife so you can imagine death is around them but there is also so much joy. What a premise to a series, one partner brings new life in to the world and the other gently takes it away.

The writer and directors from the very first episode have built a tight and wonderful story based on the characters rather than the plot. Each character and there are many in each episode are acted perfectly. There are many twists and funny/sad moments especially in episode four.

I'm glad this show did not get under the radar, do yourself a favour and buy the entire series and then pass it on, but make sure you get it back , you will watch it again.

Thank goodness for British television - from Australia, we thank you.

All characters are fine on this show - that is already running out of new ideas in the middle of series 2 - except, in my opinion, Mary. She seems so abrasive, crude and out-of-place with her line of work, and the themes that have been present in every episode are being used too often and often in too heavy-handed a fashion.. I am beginning to see why it lasted only three series. Nevertheless, there are enough pleasant surprises and good dialogue to keep it watchable and I'll watch all the episodes. I never thought I'd like Rueben, but he's quite a study in a conflicted man. My criticisms are not towards the actors, they are all very good actors; it's just that Mary is a scene-stealer for me...and not in a good way.

I just watched all episodes of Series 1, 2 and 3 on Acorn TV in the USA. While this series is billed there as a comedy, I thought it to be more of a drama despite the occasional interruptions of humor. I got the feeling that it was a bit of a British soap opera for all of the cliff-hanger endings. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the series. I thought the acting of the main characters was excellent and the chemistry between them seemed real. The direction was superb. The careers and history of the main characters is something I have not seen in American TV or movies. but I watch very little of that commercial driven drivel. It hooked me after the second episode and I am glad that I spent the time to see it all.

Martin Clunes and Julie Graham star in this series as the title roles. William; widow and father of 2 daughters works as an undertaker and in his spare time is a member of a choir and R&B rock band. Mary; single mother of 2 sons works as a midwife and has very little free time on her hands.

After the two meet through an Internet dating agency, all seems to be going well .. Until their careers collide on account of a mutual client.

If you're a Martin Clunes fan, you may possibly enjoy this series. However, don't expect William to be anything like Doc. Martin. The two are nothing alike. (Both characters have their good side AND their less than desirable side, shall we say!) This series is definitely NOT a comedy/romance/drama as IMDB has described. More like your typical modern-day trashy drama. Honestly, I was very unimpressed!

The series is interesting and entertaining with many wonderful characters, but unfortunately Mary is an impossible b---ch. She's rude, and vulgar. She wants another child but never spends any time with her little boy. At a rare dinner with her husband she spends the whole time on her cellphone. She is more respectful of the panting women she attends than all the rest of her family. (And such a fuss over childbirth. Thank God I did not have these women pawing and patting me while I was giving birth.) She is riddled with class hatred. She thinks she knows better than anyone.

I find these kind of women are taking over television. Always ranting at others. I stopped watching Coronation St. because the women were all know-it-alls and always shouting at the men. Who is writing these characters and why?