Sanditon Series 2 Episode 1

Sanditon series 2 has much changed.  Charlotte (Rose Williams) returns with her sister, Alison (Rosie Graham) to get away from the prospect of marriage and once they arrive, her sister persists in making sure she doesn't get away from the prospect of marring altogether.  What with matchmaking and visiting the soldier camp with Georgiana (Crystal Clarke).  Who has her own share of suitors all in want of her fortune!  Tom (Kris Marshall) finds out that Sidney was in Antigua on behalf of Georgiana and looking after her affairs, where he carked it from yellow fever, thus his non-return to series 2.  As shown from the opening scene with locals burying a coffin, a maid clearing away bloodstained sheets.  

In contrast there's Charlotte living life to the fullest at a dance, a juxtaposition of life and death probably at its finest for this opening.  As Mary Parker (Kate Ashfield) breaks the sad news to her.  Her world is turned upside down.  Deep down she might have thought one day they could somehow meet again.  Though we do get to hear Sidney's voice as he speaks to Charlotte.  Mary tells Charlotte she can grieve for Sidney but she says he had a wife who will do that for him.  Also we get a flash to his reading to her about having to marry his wife instead of her.

Ester (Charlotte Spencer) returns as her husband is away on business and finds that she has trouble having children, having had miscarriages.  Lo and behold Edward (Jack Fox)turns up too as a soldier in want of a commission.  Thus he's come to bludge off his aunt, Lady Denham (Anne Reid) agreeing to stay away from his step sister.  Of course he doesn't.  Though he does have ulterior motives even after being threatened with being disinherited.

 New buildings in the town and cue the arrival of an artist, Charles Lockhart (Alexander Vlahos) who saunters from the sea clad only in his robe and encounters Arthur with Georgiana and Charlotte.  The chemistry is apparent between him and Georgiana.  As she also sees him in the teashop.

Charlotte applies for the governess position a la Jane Eyre with Alexander Colbourne (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) who hounds her as not qualified or has experience to be a governess.  At which point she leaves.  Later he comes riding on his horse a la Mr Rochester from Jane Eyre, heck he even had a dog under the desk (who's idea was that?) and tells her she is hired.  He's a widower who has to look after his daughter Leonora aka Leo (Flora Mitchell) and his niece, Augusta (Eloise Webb) who claims she doesn't need a governess.   Who like Charlotte, are both also dealing with their own loss.  Tom of course doesn't like him.  Seems he's not as good a judge of character as Arthur (Turlough Convery) is, but of course he's seen as a bit of a buffoon, when in reality it's the other way around.  

Charlotte is also pursued by the commander of the company, Colonel Francis Lennox (Tom Weston Jones) as soon as he spots her.  Who I rather likened to Wickham - Pride and Prejudice.  Tom can't get anywhere with him and is easily taken in by him.  He also has a rivalry with Colbourne.  

Alison has two beaus in the form of Captain Carter (Maxim Ayes) and Captain Fraser (Frank Blake) - one a caddish rogue and the other one who knows he'll never get a look in with her.  As we get a sense (no pun) of Sense and Sensibility with the fatalistically doomed love affair of Marianna with Willoughby.  

Though everyone thinks governess is beneath her as there's not much career choices for women in want of monetary freedom.  Yeah I had to write that "in want of" lines since there's plenty going on here that warrants that.  This was made as fans wanted another series but it doesn't feel the same as the first series.  There's an atmospheric energy missing and it just appears routine, though fast paced.  As though it was just filmed for the want of being filmed! Ha...  Okay I will stop writing that now...