A House Through Time
I must say I was critical of the first series of this show for several reasons, these were:-
1, on occasion, looking at history through a modern day prism, one example was particularly when talking about slavery.
2, pushing liberal authoritarianism when looking at how things were and how the historian thinks they should have been.
3, making a conjecture way beyond the historical facts before us.
With that said, series 2 is a total triumph and I will detail the main advances forward
1, the brilliant use of primary sources, we, the viewer are in on the action.
2, like a great detective we are led by these sources in a haphazard way this is thrilling.
3, the opinions and conclusions have been curbed to perfectly rational suggestions that add and interpret the often fragmentary historical documents.
4, the graphics were enhanced, amazing!
5, it was masterful in episode 3 to allow an emotional relative to take over the show, this was visceral and dry history was brought alive.
6, the casual manner of delivery with the viewer, we were on a journey together not board and chalk.
Now to be picky
1, the interior of the modern house was a bore, and yet this was the star of our show, this needed dressing.
2, inserting the MP was an obvious political point, an agenda that was misjudged here, this was self-indulgent.
3, it was clear the second half of episode 3, with the IRA became rushed, clearly the team was not expecting such rich history, but this didn't do it justice.
David Olusoga has managed to cut the historical cake in a novel and refreshing way, he took this simple idea and ran with it. This programme was without doubt brilliant, as indeed he is, and deeply memorable, it is not as he says an alternative history but a parallel history of everyday folk.
It is clear from the narrative the catch-net of a welfare state is the shining star of our civilisation, lacking still in most places today including America, who say you are "two paychecks from the street".
