Thomas and Sarah

I could not believe that anyone could reduce themselves to this mediocrity after the success of Upstairs Downstairs. What were the producers thinking of? I only watched it because someone had the bright idea to attach it to the Box set of Upstairs Downstairs. After few episodes I quit. It is the same oxymoron. Sarah and Thomas with their shameless and shady antiques which is so far fetched at times that it comes down as an insult to our intelligence rather than entertainment. I found Sarah's overacting, loud and ear scratching cockney diction quite irritating and Thomas' dishonesty and conniving superficial and borderline ridiculous. I strongly recommend that the fans of Upstairs Downstairs stay away from it not to diminish their uplifting enjoyment of UD. The fact that Thomas and Sarah only lasted a few episodes speaks in volumes.

Thought struck me - possible sequel.Thomas and Sarah make fortune out of munitions in WW1, get to know the right people - Sir Thomas Watkins?

This lovely series has recently been re-run on Granada. The two main characters made their first appearance in Upstairs Downstairs. This series follows their mixed fortunes when they try to make it on their own.

The series captures Edwardian England in a way that only the English seem to manage with accuracy and sympathy.

Each 1 hour episode is self contained and whilst not always completely plausible, the series is a great pleasure to watch. Then again with such two outstanding actors in Pauline Collins and John Alderton, what could possibly go wrong? Pauline Collins even manages to breathe life into the otherwise very ordinary current series "The Ambassador".

The episode in the Welsh village was quite excellent. And, in a typically English manner (thank god), the ending of the series is left open to the viewer to interpret.

Why the hell aren't they making TV series like these anymore?

We just watched the last episode and we were thoroughly charmed by the series. Each episode stands alone, but it's helpful to have watched Upstairs, Downstairs to have a bit of context. Settings, costumes, staging are all authentic and the scripts are witty and and plots are clever, if sometimes far-fetched. That said, each story is diverting and the relationships between Sarah and Thomas and their casts are well drawn and believable. You really care about the people and their predicaments.

After leaving the Bellamy's, Sarah and Thomas have become equals, they push and pull and the plot lines seem to give each character equal worth. The idea that a woman could choose to simply travel and work and live with a man she's not married to is a surprise for that era. And the idea that a woman of that era not only challenges but succeeds in knocking back polite snobbish society is fun to watch.

These period pieces are enjoyable and interesting, and Pauline and John are exceptional actors who've worked in theatre, TV, movies. They are attractive and adept in building their characters.

If you're tired of screeching car chases, exploding body parts, pathologically abusive relationships that get more graphic with each episode... then you'll enjoy Thomas and Sarah.

Give it a try!

Twas nice to see a 'spin off' series from 'Upstairs Downstairs', so that the 'Upstairs Downstairs' vibes can continue - and it does for the first few episodes but Thomas & Sarah become a boring couple after a while - ie: The series drags on & becomes un-relatable to Upstairs Downstairs.

I suppose different writers, directors, budgets, cast members & studios etc all add to the very different feel of Thomas & Sarah being a spin-off series. The series then transforms itself into a series that warrants its own merits. I wouldn't have chosen those two characters from the Upstairs Downstairs cast to make a spin-off series. I woulda chosen what I consider to be the 5 main characters: Lord & Lady Bellamy, Rose, Hudson & Mrs Bridges.

However it is in this series that we get to see Sarah perform - 'What Are We Gonna Do With Uncle Arthur...' 'What Are We Gonna Do With Uncle Arthur... 'becomes the Upstairs Downstairs closing signature tune on later episodes.

The ending theme tune 'What Are We Gonna Do With Uncle Arthur...' is what moves my Star Rating from 2 for contents - 5 for entertainment.