Hunderby

I could see shades of Rebecca, Jane Eyre, Tom Jones, Wurthering Heights, and several others. I'm sure there were others that I just haven't read, so could not appreciate the spoof.

Quotably funny, great production values in this lampoon of English village life during peak empire. Brit costume comedy has sometimes been under the spell of Python, but Hunderby is very much its own show, marking out fresh terrain with really accomplished comic performances and writing and direction. Conceits such as 'Bird Raymond' and 'Bubbly Milk' stay with you. The second series is darker, and the tonal shift may appeal more to some than others. Further series would be very welcome and, now that it is some years down the track, there would a new audience to add to the many current fans of the show. The UK continues to produce innovative or thoughtful comedy (Episodes, Fleabag, Defending the Guilty) and Hunderby is an instant classic. The trailer includes some great tasters of the very funny performances, and the Vicar's dance shows the fine comic control the creative team brings to this show.

Dark, funny yet strange. I love it! It's unique for sure. Soo many twists I didnt see coming. The drama of it is hilarious. Beautifully done! Brava!! The only annoying thing is Helene's high, pitchy, squeezy voice but I think that is on purpose.

While this show had its moments and did occasionally make me laugh, for the most part I found it frustrating and difficult to watch at times. The main female character is helpless and meek and completely unwilling to so much as speak up for herself, allowing herself to be easily influenced and exploited by almost every other character. Almost every single character in the show is completely self-interested and manipulative to an almost obscene level, and many of them have a tendency to cling to others who very clearly do not want them. There was not enough heart in the show to get away with the level of cruelty between characters, most of whom I found either frustrating, annoying, or just unbearably manipulative (oftentimes all three). Julia Davis's character is one of the most despicable television characters I think I've ever seen.

And while the ending of the first season was more or less satisfying, I found the second season beyond aggravating and completely unnecessary. The final two episodes should never have been made, and I cannot even express in words how much I absolutely HATED how the show ended. I wish it was possible to just erase the entire second season from my memory. All in all, I found the show to be far more frustrating than funny.

Oh my! Fell into this by accident and could not stop laughing! Anyone, ANYONE familiar with Elizabethan, Gothic writings will appreciate the antics which ensue. Excellent writing and directing. Where this gem came from I don't know, however the entertainment value is high as this sort of drama is usually heavy and dry.

The character development is superb, the cinematography and set design immaculate to the period. The actors are at the top of the game.

Upon initial viewing I thought the story to be a serious one reminiscent of "Moll Flanders"... very cruel etc. However once realizing it was comedy, relaxed a bit as the sight gags and use of language grew increasingly ridiculous and fun.

Am savoring each episode once discovering there is but one season.

Julia Davis does "Rebecca" proud in her writings and personification of Elizabethan era dialogue and characters.

Thanks HULU.