This obsession with making politically correct period drama's annoys me so much. Sorry, if you want a show that is politically correct, do not make a historical drama. It simply doesn't work. Times were different then. People want to see what it was like at that time, that's the whole point of a historical drama. In this series, the diversity of the characters reflects the diversity of today, not the 1940s. The nice girls all have 21st century feminist opinions, there are no prayers before meals, there's no standing up when the teacher comes in the room, and so on.
This all makes it feel like it's 2020 schoolgirls who are dressed up and try to sound like they're from the 1940s by occasionally using old-fashioned phrases. I suppose this issue doesn't bother children; but still, if you're an adult who's grown up with the books or who's grown up in that time period - don't expect to feel nostalgic watching this.
Anyway, despite its flaws, the series is enjoyable. It keeps pretty close to the books (except for some unnecessary ghost stuff and a very boring episode about a dress), and the scenery is lovely. Most of the characters are good (except Alicia and Matron who are much too different, and Mam'zelle Dupont who is absent). Gwen and Mary-Lou are especially great.
Another thing that irritates me a bit, though, is the over the top "child-friendliness". Basically all the girls, except Gwendoline, are much too nice. In the books, the girls are much more blunt, and sometimes even bullyish. Yes, that's unpleasant, but realistic. School is like that. There's no need to make a show where everything is perfect. It doesn't teach children anything. For example, one of the girls (Jean) has a facial disfigurement, but it's never mentioned. No one stares at her when they see her for the first time, and it's never ever talked of... It's just unrealistic. Of course they wanted to show that she's just a normal girl like all the others, and I agree with that, I'm not saying it should have been talked about all the time. I just don't think that showing an ideal world, with no hard realities, where no one is ever discriminated against, is particularly inspiring for children to watch. The series doesn't teach any important lessons, and that's why I personally don't find it particularly gripping or moving.
And last and definitely least: The song.
What possessed the makers to put in this hideous song? Did they really think people would get emotional from hearing Miss Grayling's serious speech being turned into the most cringeworthy song that was ever made? "Four tall towers teach us how to strive..." Ugh. It truly spoils the ending of the show. Even the tune isn't particularly good. And they didn't even bother making an accompaniment. Sorry, I was going to give this series 7/10, but this song made me remove one more star.
Edit: Season 2 is worse, so I put the rating down to 5/10. There is little resemblance to the book. I watched it with my siblings and we laughed so much, because so many scenes were so cringy, soppy, unrealistic or just plain ridiculous, even though the scriptwriters tried to make it emotional or moving. I'm not going into details, but it's a stupid series and terrible compared to the books. Somehow we still enjoyed it, but there's no way I'm watching it again.
This all makes it feel like it's 2020 schoolgirls who are dressed up and try to sound like they're from the 1940s by occasionally using old-fashioned phrases. I suppose this issue doesn't bother children; but still, if you're an adult who's grown up with the books or who's grown up in that time period - don't expect to feel nostalgic watching this.
Anyway, despite its flaws, the series is enjoyable. It keeps pretty close to the books (except for some unnecessary ghost stuff and a very boring episode about a dress), and the scenery is lovely. Most of the characters are good (except Alicia and Matron who are much too different, and Mam'zelle Dupont who is absent). Gwen and Mary-Lou are especially great.
Another thing that irritates me a bit, though, is the over the top "child-friendliness". Basically all the girls, except Gwendoline, are much too nice. In the books, the girls are much more blunt, and sometimes even bullyish. Yes, that's unpleasant, but realistic. School is like that. There's no need to make a show where everything is perfect. It doesn't teach children anything. For example, one of the girls (Jean) has a facial disfigurement, but it's never mentioned. No one stares at her when they see her for the first time, and it's never ever talked of... It's just unrealistic. Of course they wanted to show that she's just a normal girl like all the others, and I agree with that, I'm not saying it should have been talked about all the time. I just don't think that showing an ideal world, with no hard realities, where no one is ever discriminated against, is particularly inspiring for children to watch. The series doesn't teach any important lessons, and that's why I personally don't find it particularly gripping or moving.
And last and definitely least: The song.
What possessed the makers to put in this hideous song? Did they really think people would get emotional from hearing Miss Grayling's serious speech being turned into the most cringeworthy song that was ever made? "Four tall towers teach us how to strive..." Ugh. It truly spoils the ending of the show. Even the tune isn't particularly good. And they didn't even bother making an accompaniment. Sorry, I was going to give this series 7/10, but this song made me remove one more star.
Edit: Season 2 is worse, so I put the rating down to 5/10. There is little resemblance to the book. I watched it with my siblings and we laughed so much, because so many scenes were so cringy, soppy, unrealistic or just plain ridiculous, even though the scriptwriters tried to make it emotional or moving. I'm not going into details, but it's a stupid series and terrible compared to the books. Somehow we still enjoyed it, but there's no way I'm watching it again.