Twelve Dates 'Til Christmas

I like very much. It deserves be appreciated. But the last episode offers some reserves. Sure, the world of a village, some touches of BBC productions, good doses of soap opera and Hallmark and Mae Whitman fighting, with succes, against some cliches , not so inspired cllothes, complications of story - for six episodes - plots and waste of time and fugitive characters and the old message about old friend as chosen. I saw the series for Jane Seymour and her presence reminding me the passing time. I admired Mae Withman and I am convinced than the series is her at whole - not only for leading role - but I feeled, in last episode, full fatigue of story and too convensional solutions as refuge.

A nice Christmas series . It is all what real matters.

I was honestly relieved they gave us scenery other than British Columbia or Toronto and happy to see some UK filming. Jane Seymour makes this worth watching and her storyline enjoyable. I feel like Mae Whitman is filling the "Bridget Jones" role here with the fun quirky friends and her plus size body. I was really liking it until episode 2 with the whole girl-girl storyline at the Dickens ball. If this were Netflix it wouldn't be a shock, but come on people this is Hallmark and I expect keeping it boy-girl.

This series was a delightful surprise. First, the cast was top-notch. Mae Whitman is excellent, and I was happy to see Nathaniel Parker. Jane Seymour is a delight, and I was very impressed that Mary McDonnell was in it, too. It was so enjoyable to watch a Hallmark production that didn't involve the usual plot lines and conflicts. And while I'm glad there wasn't a cliffhanger ending, I hope this isn't the last we see of this marvelous ensemble. Well done, Hallmark.

Kathy Strachan either doesn't know how to dress women, or she hates fat people-probably both. The wardrobe on this show was so distracting from the actual story, I don't know what they were thinking. Mae Whitman just had a baby and the wardrobe department did everything possible to hide her new, thicker body under blankets of burlap sacks. Each outfit was more hideous than the last and only served to make Mae Whitman look like a snowman. Instead of choosing clothes that would complement her new curves, they essentially dressed her in one mumu after another. The show was cute but it was really difficult trying to identify with a 20-something year old woman with worse fashion sense than my grandmother. To top it off, the character is a textiles designer and wearing the ugliest garments. Absolutely infuriating.

Aside from that, there was zero chemistry between Kate and Richard. It's clear that they cast the hottest guy and didn't really care about whether or not that guy had chemistry with Mae Whitman. Did anyone else catch that dance scene in the last episode? The hand-holding? It was the ultimate cringe.

Also-circling back to wardrobe-what the hell was that bracelet? I just about screamed at the tv when they cut to an extreme closeup of the bracelet. PLEASE! Why are we accepting cheap play jewelry from men that will turn our skin green? That bracelet was meant for a 6 year old, not a grown woman.

Like I said, these things were very distracting from what was a cute little holiday show. I do love that they are making more episodic shows for the season vs movies, but let's please hire professionals that know how to dress people of all shapes and sizes. Kathy Strachan, may you never supervise the wardrobe on any set ever again. You've done enough damage here. I give the show 6 out of 10 stars and the wardrobe 0 out of 10 stars because there wasn't a single cute outfit.

I haven't read the book but it seems that those that have, don't rate this adaptation. I found it to be an easy and fun watch while resting with a head cold in between wrapping presents! There are some good, well know actors, with nice scenery and a fun concept. So, in summary, an easy watch with a fun, festive theme.